WRITTEN QUESTION E-1896/00 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Abolition of tax privileges.
Date: 2000-06-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commissioner, diplomatic profession, joint competence, tax relief

C 53 E/196

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2000)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2001/C 53 E/254)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1880/00

by Brian Crowley (UEN) to the Commission

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Elections in Peru

Given the withdrawal of Presidential candidate Alejandro Toledo from the second round of the Peruvian
Presidential elections and the decision of the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of
American States to suspend its election observation of the National Office of Electoral Processes due to
the conduct of the electoral process in that country, will the Commission outline what course of action it
intends to take if this situation is not resolved satisfactorily and having due regard to the holding of an
open, democratic and verifiable second round in the Presidential election?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(30 June 2000)

The Commission has been following the electoral process in Peru closely throughout.

The Union(cid:146)s decision to withdraw its observation mission is a sign of its dissatisfaction with the conditions
in which the poll was held.

The Commission believes that it is necessary to send a strong message to Peru that it will do all it can to
ensure that the principles of democracy and respect for the rule of law are firmly upheld, especially at a
time when democratic systems throughout the region are showing signs of weakness.

In a recent statement, the Union publicly declared its belief that the process of democratic participation in
Peru needed to be strengthened, and that it was ready to support any initiative which might further this
end.

The Union is supporting the Organisation of American States (OAS) mission which is due to arrive in Peru
shortly, and hopes that this may lead to some form of tangible progress.

The OAS mission should therefore be encouraged and supported, as was emphasised in the 9 June
declaration. But the Union must also keep a close watch on developments in Peru, and should be prepared,
if necessary, to reconsider its relations with that country in this perspective.

At the same time, the Commission will give a high priority to the implementation of activities and projects
which are likely to strengthen democratic institutions and advance political pluralism in Peru.

(2001/C 53 E/255)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1896/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 June 2000)

Subject: Abolition of tax privileges

Over the years Members of the European Parliament, including the author of this question, have repeatedly
pressed, in the form of various parliamentary initiatives, for the abolition of the outmoded tax privileges

20.2.2001

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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that diplomatic representatives continue to enjoy even today within the common internal market. Thus the
MEPs Atsrid Lulling (1991), Outi Ojala (1998), Philippe De Coene (1999) and Michl Ebner (1999/2000)
have tabled parliamentary questions in this context, the MEPs Cushnahan, Banotti and Gillis (1996) a
motion for a resolution.

Given the unambiguous demands voiced by the European Parliament, how can the Commission justify its
lack of action in this matter?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2000)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his Written Question E-1996/99 (1).

(1) OJ C 219 E, 1.8.2000, p. 63.

(2001/C 53 E/256)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1980/00

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: European shipbuilding industry

(7 June 2000)

On the basis of a second report submitted by the Commission again highlighting the existence of a world
crisis caused by the unfair competition practised by South Korea in the shipbuilding sector, the EU Council
of Ministers of 18 May 2000 instructed the Commission to continue to monitor developments on the
world market in the sector, particularly Korean practices, and to propose specific measures to protect
European shipyards in the event that South Korea is still practising unfair competition in September.

Furthermore, Commissioner Lamy has stated in reply to my Written Question P-0729/00 (1) that,
if
necessary, (cid:145)the Commission would be prepared to initiate an investigation. This could end up before the
WTO Dispute Settlement Body(cid:133)(cid:146).

Can the Commission say what specific action it has taken to monitor the situation with regard to South
Korea and what results this has produced to date?

Specifically, what action has been taken to monitor the undertaking given by South Korea not to intervene
to rescue bankrupt shipyards and to implement transparency rules and international accounting standards
ensuring that ships are priced so as to cover all costs?

Can the Commission provide more detailed information on this undertaking and the extent to which it has
been complied with up to now?

What measures will
in September?

the Commission adopt

if South Korea is still practising unfair competition

What specific conditions must be met for the Commission to lodge a complaint against South Korea
before the WTO Dispute Settlement Body in September? Are these conditions already met?

(1) OJ C 330 E, 21.11.2000, p. 210.