WRITTEN QUESTION E-1856/00 by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) and Alonso Puerta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Languages used for Commission press releases.
Date: 2000-06-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, operation of the Institutions, press release, use of languages

C 72 E/134

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.3.2001

(2001/C 72 E/168)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1855/00

by Nicholas Clegg (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Differential pricing by airlines

It has been reported that it is cheaper to fly from some EU Member States via Heathrow to the US than it
is to fly simply from Heathrow to the US, on the same airline.

Differential pricing usually applies to ticket prices on the different legs of a return journey. This, however,
is an instance of differential pricing on the same one-way route.

Does the Commission regard this as an acceptable use of differential pricing? If not, what action does it
propose to take?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(20 July 2000)

The Commission takes the view that London-New York is a different market than, for example, Brussels-
New York and that companies are therefore justified in pricing tickets for these two destinations differently
even if a Brussels-New York flight goes via Heathrow. In general direct flights from all Community airports
to the United States are more expensive than indirect flights. There may be an infringement of the
competition rules, however, if airlines restrict the possibility for consumers in London to buy and use
cheaper tickets from departure points elsewhere in the Community, particularly if such restrictions are
based on an agreement or concerted practice between a number of airlines. The Commission is currently
considering whether any action is required on this issue.

(2001/C 72 E/169)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1856/00

by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) and Alonso Puerta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Languages used for Commission press releases

(9 June 2000)

What is the Commission(cid:146)s linguistic policy and usage with regard to the media?

Is it true that press releases issued after Commission meetings are in French and English only?

In the last five years, have there been any protests from any Member State government in this connection,
or any proposals that this policy should be changed?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(12 July 2000)

The majority of Commission press releases are available in all eleven Community languages. However, for
practical reasons connected with the time taken for translation and in agreement with the accredited press
represented in the International Press Association (IPA), most press releases are issued only in French and
English (and/or German) at the regular midday press conference. In the case of press releases about
Commission meetings, the other languages are available electronically on the Internet within a very short
time (the Rapid database).

6.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 72 E/135

Certain press releases are not translated into all eleven languages, namely those relating to company
mergers (FR/EN/DE + language of the Member State concerned), state aid and infringement proceedings
(FR/EN + language of the Member State concerned) and to the weekly timetable of Commission activities.

The Commission is not aware of any official government complaint about the languages used for press
releases.

(2001/C 72 E/170)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1861/00

by Carles-Alfred Gas(cid:242)liba i B(cid:246)hm (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Special protection zones for birds in the Valencian Autonomous Community

The Valencian Autonomous Community has dragged its feet for years and years over setting-up the special
protection areas for birds (SPAB) established by the European Union.

At present, because the Commission itself has denounced the situation, the Valencian Government is
seeking to extend the surface area to be protected as special protection areas for birds to include areas
which are already protected, but even so, the protection provided for falls very far short of the European
Union(cid:146)s own criteria. The report drawn up by SEO-Birdlife for the Commission envisaged 736 637
hectares of Valencian territory coming under the special protection area heading, while the Valencian
Government is seeking to protect only 266 049 hectares.

Granting special protection area status in this way reduces the number of hectares protected, and leaves
areas of major importance such as the Marjal d(cid:146)Almenara, great swathes of the Alicante mountain range
and the mountain ranges of La Mar(cid:237)na and the ports of Morella and Beceit unprotected.

How does the Commission intend to ensure that the policy on protection and the granting of SPAB status
is complied with?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2000)

The Commission does not know exactly how much of its territory the Council of the Autonomous
Community of Valencia intends to designate as a special protection area (SPA) for birds.

As the Honourable Member indicates, the Commission has initiated infringement proceedings against
Spain for failure to designate or insufficient designation of SPAs in the country as a whole, including the
Autonomous Community of Valencia. In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission will take all
the necessary measures to ensure that Community law is complied with throughout Spanish territory.

(2001/C 72 E/171)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1862/00

by Carles-Alfred Gas(cid:242)liba i B(cid:246)hm (ELDR) to the Council

Subject: Red tuna catches in DŁnia and Gand(cid:237)a

(13 June 2000)

In the fishing ports of DŁnia and Gand(cid:237)a French fishermen have been using nets several miles long to
capture red tuna for years now.

The catches of red tuna do not meet the authorised minimum weight of 60 kg, and no checks of any kind
are carried out.