WRITTEN QUESTION E-2189/00 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission. Mobile phone masts.
Date: 2000-07-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: competence of the Member States, legal basis, mobile phone, telecommunications equipment

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/83

Lusaka Protocol and the relevant Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Measures designed to
boost the effectiveness of the sanctions against UNITA are also included in Common Position 2000/391/
CFSP (1) on Angola, which the Council adopted on 19 June 2000.

As regards Sierra Leone, the Council, on 20 July 2000, adopted Common Position 2000/455/CFSP (2),
prohibiting the direct or indirect import into the Community of all rough diamonds from Sierra Leone
under the conditions set out in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1306(2000).

Also, on 3 August 2000 the Council adopted Regulation (EC)No 1745/2000 on the importation into the
Community of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone (3) as implementation of the relevant Security Council
Decisions needs the adoption of Community legislative texts, in order, among other things, to prevent
distortion of competition and to provide for a system of sanctions for non-compliance with that
Regulation.

The Council considers, moreover, that account must be taken of the fact that the legitimate diamond trade
is of great economic importance for many countries and can contribute to stability and prosperity, and
that the integrity of the legitimate diamond industry should not therefore be brought into disrepute. In this
context the Council notes with interest the growing awareness of the professionals in this sector, as is
shown by the resolution which the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International
Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) adopted jointly on 19 July 2000 in Antwerp.

(1) OJ L 146, 21.6.2000, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 183, 22.7.2000, p. 2.
(3) OJ L 200, 8.8.2000, p. 21.

(2001/C 103 E/089)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2189/00

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: Mobile phone masts

Will the Commission clarify whether there is any EU-wide procedure for controlling the positioning of
mobile phone masts?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(20 September 2000)

The positioning of mobile phone masts is a matter between the mobile operators and local, regional and
state authorities. The procedures in use and criteria applied vary largely across Member States and may
include considerations on the possible health effects of electromagnetic radiation, the need to protect the
environment, and the need to respect town planning rules.

Furthermore, Directive 97/33/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 1997 on interconnection
in telecommunications with regard to ensuring universal service and interoperability through application
of the principles of open network provision (ONP) (1) stipulates that where facility sharing can be of benefit
for town planning, environmental, economic or other reasons, Member States and national regulatory
authorities may impose sharing arrangements and intervene to resolve disputes between commercial
parties.

The Commission does not at present plan to go beyond provisions of the current telecommunications
regulatory framework i.e. there is no intention to propose a Community-wide procedure for controlling
the positioning of phone masts.

(1) OJ L 199, 26.7.1997.