WRITTEN QUESTION P-2472/00 by Juan Izquierdo Collado (PSE) to the Commission. Madrid-Levante highspeed train link.
Date: 2000-07-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community of Madrid, Community of Valencia, EU financing arrangements, Region of Murcia, Spain, competence of the Member States, environmental impact, high-speed transport, rail network

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/163

It may be noted in any case that the Commission(cid:146)s proposal for amending Regulation (EEC) No 404/
2.
93 on the common organisation of the market in bananas is based on Article 37 of the Treaty, which
means the Council cannot take a decision until the European Parliament has delivered its Opinion.

3.
The Council reiterates its concern that the banana dispute should be settled as soon as possible in
accordance with WTO rules and having regard for the interests of Community producers and the Union(cid:146)s
commitments towards the ACP States, especially the weakest among them.

(2001/C 103 E/185)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2472/00

by Juan Izquierdo Collado (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Madrid-Levante highspeed train link

(12 July 2000)

Is the Commission aware of the proposed route ((cid:145)A modificado(cid:146) (cid:129) A modified) by the Spanish Minister of
Works, Mr `lvarez Cascos, for the announced Madrid-Levante highspeed rail link?

Is the Commission aware of the sheer environmental impact of the proposed route, which cuts through
specially protected bird sanctuaries and areas of nature of ecological significance?

Does the Commission agree with the European Parliament(cid:146)s position as stated in its resolution on the
Annual Report on the 1998 Cohesion Funds (A5-0140/2000) adopted in June 2000, in which it (cid:145)urges the
Commission to ensure that, if various alternatives exist for one and the same project, preference is given to
those which have least impact on the environment(cid:146)?

Under these conditions, could a project which ignores Parliament(cid:146)s recommendations obtain Community
funding?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(7 September 2000)

At this stage the Commission does not have any detailed information on the various alternative solutions
proposed by the Spanish authorities for the route of the future high-speed train link between Madrid and
Levante, which is the sole responsibility of the Member State. In any event, the route will have to undergo
an environmental impact assessment in accordance with Community legislation.

If this project is submitted for Cohesion Fund part-financing, the Commission will carefully examine the
documentation submitted with the aid application to ensure that it complies fully with Community
environmental legislation.

(2001/C 103 E/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2476/00

by Piia-Noora Kauppi (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 July 2000)

Subject: Finnish and Swedish derogations (cid:129) excise rates on alcohol

The Commission(cid:146)s report on the Nordic derogations concludes with the words (cid:129) (cid:145)the Commission would
urge each of the Member States concerned to take the necessary steps in order to prepare for a smooth
transition to the application of the general rules in force, at the latest by the date of expiry of their
derogation (cid:133)(cid:146). The (cid:145)necessary steps(cid:146) are obviously the reduction of the high excise rates, although,