WRITTEN QUESTION E-2119/00 by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission. Future of the Community twinning programme.
Date: 2000-06-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, promotion of the European idea, twinning

6.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 72 E/179

taking into account the variable costs and useful life of generation assets, the demand trend, and the types
of discount. However, the Spanish Government is seeking to grant the electricity companies the right to
securitise Ptas 1 billion (in other words they would receive that amount at all once).

Will the Commission take account of the informed opinion of the Spanish regulatory body as regards the
figure to be put on the CTCs?

Does the Commission not consider that the Spanish regulatory body is better placed than the Commission
itself to quantify the CTCs?

Given that, in his answer of 28 March 2000 to Written Question E-0492/00 (1), Mr Monti confirmed that
neither the Commission nor the independent consultant whom the Commission had appointed was
recalculating the Spanish CTCs, would it not be advisable, if only to enforce Article 87 of the Treaty
with circumspection, for the Commission to check the calculation made by an independent body which,
moreover, happens to be the Spanish market regulator?

Will the Commission accept the Ptas 1 billion in State operating aid without question and without even
obtaining the opinion of those who have carried out an impartial examination and, on that basis, put a
substantially lower figure on the amount required?

(1) OJ C 330 E, 21.11.2000, p. 174.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 2000)

When assessing a state aid case, the Commission takes account of all the information at its disposal, in
addition to that provided by the national authorities, but is not bound by any of it.

The Commission feels that the role of the Comisi(cid:243)n Nacional del Sistema ElØctrico (CNSE), now part of the
Comisi(cid:243)n Nacional de la Energ(cid:237)a (CNE), is different from that of the Commission. The Commission(cid:146)s role is
to assess the compatibility of the measures in question with the common market,
in application of
Articles 87 and 88 (formerly Articles 92 and 93) of the EC Treaty. The CNSE, on the other hand,
is competent to act in particular as a consultative body for the Spanish authorities on electricity matters
and, to this end, it takes part in the legislative process by means of proposals or opinions. The Honourable
Member will note that, in accordance with Section 8 of Act 54/1997 on electricity, the opinions of the
CNSE regarding competition are not binding on the national competition authorities or, of course,
a fortiori, on the Commission.

Although the Commission is aware of the existence of the report to which the Honourable Member refers,
it preferred, in view of the task conferred upon it by the EC Treaty, to decide for itself on the analyses and
studies needed for its own assessment.

It is not customary for the Commission to formally question third parties such as the CNSE as part of the
preparation of a state aid case.

(2001/C 72 E/230)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2119/00

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Future of the Community twinning programme

(30 June 2000)

In an interview published on page 17 the of the Italian daily newspaper (cid:145)La Repubblica(cid:146) on 20 March this
year Neil Kinnock, Vice-President of the Commission, said in reply to the journalist(cid:146)s question concerning
the future of the Europe twinning programme (cid:145)We deal with the twinning of towns. It is a task which we
have accepted with pleasure and our officials have always carried it out very well. But the fact that we are
short of staff means that we must ask ourselves whether twinning constitutes a central task for the
Commission(cid:146).

C 72 E/180

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.3.2001

Since town-twinning is an important instrument for raising awareness and involving the public in the
European enterprise, can the Commission say more about its attitude to twinning?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(12 September 2000)

The Commission would refer
Mrs Muscardini (1).

(1) OJ C 46 E, 13.2.2001, p. 178.

the Honourable Member

to its answer

to written E-1366/00 by

(2001/C 72 E/231)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2135/00

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Greece(cid:146)s failure to observe the CITES regulation

(30 June 2000)

In a leaflet published by the RSPCA, a British organisation, Greece is accused of not complying with the
regulation governing the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (No 338/
97 CITES (1)). The RSPCA accuses Greece of failing to provide for an advisory committee covering this
area, protective limits, fines for violations or customs checks. Its investigations on the Greek market have
revealed that a large number of products derived from protected species (chiefly fur and ivory) are being
freely traded without the relevant permits or certificates.

Can the Commission confirm or deny the information given by the above-mentioned organisation? In the
event that the information is valid: (1) which parts of the arrangements as a whole does it consider to be
the most deficient and (2) what steps does it intend to take to put a stop to this illegal trade in Greece?

(1) OJ L 61, 3.3.1997, p. 1.

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

(31 July 2000)

The Commission has been informed by the Greek authorities of the introduction of the national legislation
(Law 2637/1998, accompanied by Ministerial Decisions where necessary) required to supplement the
Community regulations on trade in wildlife.

In accordance with the terms of Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the
protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein and the Convention on
international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES), a scientific committee has been
set up. Furthermore penalties and administrative sanctions for infringements of the provisions of the
Community regulations on trade in wildlife have been put in place, protective limits have been set and the
number of ports of entry and exit have been reduced.

Of course, illegal trade remains a factor of concern and should be pursued vigorously. The Commission
intends to follow this matter up in the framework of the activities of the enforcement working group
established by Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 338/97.