WRITTEN QUESTION E-2549/00 by Isidoro Sánchez García (ELDR) to the Commission. Determining the exclusive economic zone of the Canary Islands.
Date: 2000-07-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Canary Islands, exclusive economic zone, international economic law

C 136 E/46

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(13 October 2000)

The Commission knows the German system to which the Honourable Member refers. It appears that the
aim of this system is to ensure maximum protection for investors and creditors by requiring company
managers to report on the resources implemented to detect risks.

The Commission does not currently know of any comparable laws in other Member States.

At Community level, there are no provisions laying down such obligations.

However, as part of the Financial Services Action Plan the Commission has launched a study on the
Member States(cid:146) existing codes on corporate governance. It will thus gain a more accurate view of the
current position in all the Member States.

(2001/C 136 E/051)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2540/00

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(28 July 2000)

Subject: Cap de la Hague

Will the Commission say whether it regards the proposed expansion of a reprocessing plant at Cap de la
Hague on the Normandy coast as necessary or desirable in view of recent problems with other
reprocessing plants within the EU, and will it also provide an assurance that there will be no threat from
either liquid waste or any other emissions from such a plant and its expansion to my constituents in the
South East of England?

Will the Commission review safety procedures in the light of recent developments?

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

(3 October 2000)

In case an expansion of the reprocessing plant at Cap de la Hague is planned, a submission of general data
to the Commission has to be made in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty.

When such submissions are made, the Commission takes account of the effects of planned and unplanned
release of effluents on the exposure of the population of other Member States and of current developments
by obtaining the opinion of a group of experts at that time.

However, the Commission has not received any submission concerning a possible expansion at Cap de la
Hague.

(2001/C 136 E/052)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2549/00

by Isidoro SÆnchez Garc(cid:237)a (ELDR) to the Commission

(28 July 2000)

Subject: Determining the exclusive economic zone of the Canary Islands

The general description of the outermost regions (French Overseas Territories, Canary Islands (Spain) and
the Portuguese archipelagoes of the Azores and Madeira) by the Commission secretariat (on its website for
outermost regions) notes that the European Union has the largest maritime territory in the world, thanks
to its outermost regions, with a 25 million km2 economic zone that will be of crucial importance in the
21st century because of the extensive resources and potential it offers.

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/47

Will the Commission say what procedure was used to determine the economic zone of the Canary Islands
and what documents were used as a basis for this?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(27 October 2000)

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that the setting-up and determining of offshore
exclusive economic zones is not within the Commission(cid:146)s remit.

(2001/C 136 E/053)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2559/00

by Jan Andersson (PSE) to the Commission

(28 July 2000)

Subject: Use of investment aid

There is currently a great need to develop the wood-processing industry in Eastern Europe. Whilst we
naturally support its development, the Swedish wood-processing industry is very concerned that the wood-
processing industry in eastern Germany is being modernised with the help of substantial public investment
aid. It is of course important to pursue active regional policies, but such policies must be designed so as to
be neutral from the point of view of competition.

Is the Commission aware of differences in the way Member States use investment aid? Does it consider
that regional policies should not distort competition between Member States, and does it intend to take
action regarding this matter?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(4 October 2000)

The Commission is aware of the development of the wood-processing industry in eastern Europe and in
the new German L(cid:228)nder in particular.

This sector is not covered by specific industrial guidelines.

Accordingly,
investment projects may qualify for aid under the provisions applicable to regional aid,
within the limits of the schemes approved by the Commission. Under the EC Treaty Article 87(3)(a) and (c)
(formerly Article 92), regional aid benefits from two exceptions to the general ban on state aid. The new
firms that have received or applied for investment aid are located in assisted regions suffering from serious
underemployment within the meaning of Article 87(3)(a). Provided the requirements of the Commission
decisions approving the aid measures are complied with, the aid that has been granted or applied for is
compatible with the common market.

According to the information available to the Commission following in-depth investigations, the aid
granted for the setting-up of
the new firms in question is below the threshold stipulated in the
multisectoral framework on regional aid for large investment projects and does not have to be notified
individually by the Member State concerned.