WRITTEN QUESTION E-2458/00 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Council. Seizure of passports of suspected football hooligans by the German authorities.
Date: 2000-07-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Germany, admission of aliens, competence of the Member States, free movement of persons, hooliganism, infringement of EU law

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/159

Is the Commission aware of the EU island regions(cid:146) extreme dependence on air transport, as it is clearly
impossible for them to join the road or rail network (and, in the case of most of the most outlying regions,
impossible for them even to use regular sea passenger transport)?

On the basis of Article 299 (2) (for the most outlying regions), Article 158, and Declaration No 30
adopted at Amsterdam, does the Commission intend to propose derogations for links with or between
islands as this measure will aggravate the problems caused by their isolation?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-2448/00 and E-2468/00
given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(12 October 2000)

The Commission is aware of the air-transport situation in the outermost regions.

Echoing the Chicago Convention (1), Council Directive 92/81/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the harmonisa-
tion of the structures of excise duties on mineral oils (2) currently imposes an obligatory exemption for fuel
for commercial air transport. A proposal for a Council Directive on the taxation of energy products (3),
intended to replace Directive 92/81/EEC, allows Members States to opt to tax aviation fuel used on
domestic flights and, subject to bilateral agreement, flights between Member States. Furthermore,
in a
recent communication (4), the Commission proposes that the Member States step up their cooperation in
the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) with a view to introducing taxation of aviation fuel
and other instruments with similar effects. This communication is being discussed with Parliament.

As regards the specific circumstances of the outermost regions, Member States could, subject to Commun-
ity rules, and in particular those on state aids, and in the light of the articles of the EC Treaty cited by the
Honourable Members, negotiate derogations in their bilateral agreements.

(1) OJ L 316, 31.10.1992.
(2) The 1944 Chicago Convention, which set up the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), governs the
taxation of fuel already on board an aircraft. The taxation of fuel loaded en route is governed by a large number of
bilateral air services agreements (ASAs) either between two Member States or between a Member State and a non-
member country. These agreements generally contain a clause exempting from taxation both fuel in transit and fuel
supplied in the territory of the contracting parties. ASAs can, of course, be renegotiated to abolish the exemption
for fuel supplied on the territory of the contracting parties. Renegotiation could, however, take a lot of time and
involve a lot of red tape. Moreover, a change in the tax status of fuel in transit would require the renegotiation of
the bilateral ASAs and the relevant provisions of the Chicago Convention.

(3) OJ C 139, 6.5.1997.
(4) Communication from the Commission to the Council,

the European Parliament,

the Economic and Social

Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Taxation of aircraft fuel (COM(2000) 110 final).

(2001/C 103 E/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2458/00

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Council

(24 July 2000)

Subject: Seizure of passports of suspected football hooligans by the German authorities

Does the Council believe that the seizing of the passports of approximately five hundred suspected football
hooligans by the German authorities immediately prior to the Euro 2000 football tournament was
compatible with the European Treaties?

C 103 E/160

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

Reply

(7 November 2000)

The measures mentioned by the Honourable Member of
competence of the German authorities (1).

the European Parliament

fall within the

(1) See Article 33 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 2(2) of the Schengen Convention of 19.6.1990.

(2001/C 103 E/180)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2460/00

by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(24 July 2000)

Subject: Use of force against Italian journalists

On Sunday, 2 July 2000 final in Rotterdam, Holland, a disturbing incident occurred involving an Italian
television crew. The crew, consisting of three journalists and four technicians, were filming the antiquated
barriers at the stadium, which had to be negotiated by a group of 140 Italian disabled persons who were
attending the match in Rotterdam. Suddenly, the crew were prevented from filming the scene and were
forcibly removed by stewards. The police then intervened, using violence against the journalists, injuring
one of them (the whole scene was filmed by television cameras) and eventually arresting the whole crew.

Does the Council not agree that this was a violent reaction on the part of the Dutch authorities in

1.
seeking to cover up the shortcomings of the stadium as regards facilities for the disabled?

Does the Council not consider that this was a scandalous act of intimidation and censorship against

2.
the press?

Does the Council not believe that, in the light of these incidents, freedom of the press is far from

3.
being achieved in all countries of the Union?

(2001/C 103 E/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2487/00

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Council

(24 July 2000)

Subject: Behaviour of Dutch police officers on the final day of the European football championships

Judging by the treatment of Italian TV cameramen by Dutch police officers on the final day of the
European football championships the Netherlands appears to be suffering from a democratic deficit.

What sanctions will the Community adopt, after having informed the Dutch Government and Queen of
such a decision, given the fact that the latter had banned an Austrian diplomat from attending an official
lunch for far less?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-2460/00 and E-2487/00

(7 November 2000)

The situation described by the Honourable Member does not fall within the sphere of competence of the
Council.