WRITTEN QUESTION E-2035/00 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. International air links from Galicia.
Date: 2000-06-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Galicia, Spain, airline, common transport policy, competence of the Member States, international transport

C 72 E/172

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.3.2001

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 2000)

The Commission refers to its reply to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s Written Question E-1517/00 and
confirms that the meeting between the President of the Commission and the Secretary General of the
Communist Party of Vietnam on 27 May 2000 did not represent any deviation from the policy of the
Union in relation to Vietnam.

(2001/C 72 E/220)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2035/00

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(21 June 2000)

Subject: International air links from Galicia

Although there are three airports in Galicia, Santiago de Compostela, Vigo and Corunha, this European
region of almost 3 million inhabitants has no direct international links with any city other than London.
To reach the rest of Europe and the world, Galicians have to travel via Madrid, Barcelona or Bilbau.
International links from London are restricted by the fact that there is only one flight a day. It takes
5 hours to get from Santiago airport to Brussels, and the journey to Strasbourg, which requires two
changes of plane, takes seven. In reply to my earlier question on the decentralisation of air communica-
tions (E-0110/00) (1), the Commission indicated that when third country companies wish to use Member
States as a base for operating international flights, the Member States allow them to do so only on
condition that they use the hub airports, thus worsening the already appalling congestion at these airports
and prejudicing decentralisation. The idea is apparently to defend the interests of the flag-carrying
companies of each Member State, in opposition to the economic and social interests of their citizens,
and ignoring the idea and concept of a (cid:145)single European sky(cid:146) promoted by the Commission.

What problems and economic, legal or technical conditions need to be dealt with in order for Galicia to
have direct air links with the major European cities, or alternatively, the requisite air links with London, an
airport close at hand linked with the entire world, or Brussels, thus avoiding the tiresome necessity of
changing planes in Madrid, Barcelona, or Bilbau, airports which in turn offer less advantageous connec-
tions for certain international flights, particularly with European cities like Strasbourg? Are objectives like
this included in the (cid:145)single European sky(cid:146) scheme, given that they undoubtedly affect many European cities
and regions?

(1) OJ C 330 E, 21.11.2000, p. 85.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(24 July 2000)

Since the entry into force on 1 January 1993 of the three Regulations making up the (cid:145)third air package(cid:146)
(Council Regulation (EEC) No 2409/92 of 23 July 1992 on fares and rates for air services, Council
Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community
air routes and Council Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92 of 23 July 1992 on licensing of air carriers (1)) and
liberalising the Community civil aviation market, Community air carriers are entirely free to propose
whatever services they wish between Community airports open to commercial operations. Consequently,
there is no longer any regulatory or technical barrier to Galicia enjoying the kind of air service desired by
the Honourable Member. The policy of liberalisation has in fact resulted in an overall increase in the
number of lines being operated within the Community.

6.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 72 E/173

in a liberalised market the airlines(cid:146) choices will be dictated by the requirements of
Clearly, however,
profitability. Nonetheless, Member States have the option of imposing public service obligations on certain
links.

The aim of the (cid:145)Single European Sky(cid:146) scheme is to unify the various air traffic control systems of the
Member States in order inter alia to improve control capacity and at the same time reduce the number of
delays currently occurring in airports.

(1) OJ L 240, 24.8.1992.

(2001/C 72 E/221)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2036/00

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(21 June 2000)

Subject: Unemployment in Galicia

The latest statistics indicate that 15,80 % of the working population in Galicia is unemployed, double that
of the Navarrese Autonomous Community, which is the lowest in Spain, and of the majority of European
countries. Does the Community support framework for Spain make provision for effective specific action
to solve this major problem facing Galicia, taking account of its Objective No 1 status?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2000)

Having presented the regional development plan for Objective 1 regions in Spain, and with a view to
establishing the Community Support Framework (CSF) for the period 2000-2006, the Commission is
currently negotiating the strategic guidelines and objectives of this CSF with the Spanish authorities.

The Commission can assure the Honourable Member that it is taking account in these negotiations of the
labour market situation in Spain(cid:146)s Objective 1 regions, particularly the lack of qualifications among human
resources and rates of employment and unemployment.

The objectives of the Community Support Framework for Spain(cid:146)s Objective 1 regions in the period 2000-
include growth in employment, provision of skills for the workforce and reduction of the
2006 will
unemployment rate.

These objectives will take account of the employment pillars and guidelines implemented by the national
action plans and of the priority areas defined by Regulation (EC) No 1784/1999 of the Parliament and of
the Council on the European Social Fund, the main financial support instrument for the European
Employment Strategy (1).

The Commission will forward the Community Support Framework to Parliament as soon as it has been
adopted.

(1) OJ L 213, 13.8.1999.