WRITTEN QUESTION E-2556/00 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Council. Stateless nations and the Member States' internal bodies vis-à-vis the reform of the treaties at the Intergovernmental Conference.
Date: 2000-07-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: region-EU relationship

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/181

(2001/C 103 E/206)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2555/00

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Council

(31 July 2000)

Subject: Mont Blanc tunnel

The Mont Blanc tunnel between Italy and France has been closed to traffic since 24 March 1999 following
a tragic accident inside the tunnel which had terrible consequences.

According to recent reports, the supposed date for the completion of the work needed to reopen the
tunnel with new safety standards, so as to prevent any repetition of serious accidents of this kind, is March
2001.

This road route, with the planned completion of the motorway being built on the Italian side, is already
included in the trans-European road transport network, underlining its importance as a crossing through
the Alps.

With a view to the reopening of the tunnel, and following the wide-ranging debate on the excessive
amount of road traffic in the Alpine region fuelled by the tragic consequences of the fire in the Mont Blanc
tunnel, two different positions have emerged. Some favour a total ban on heavy goods vehicles using the
tunnel, while others are proposing a strict quota for such vehicles.

Furthermore, the Valle d(cid:146)Aosta autonomous region and the Valais region have decided to relaunch the
project to build a rail tunnel between Aosta and Martigny on the rail line from Milan (it has been included
in the annex to the Italian finance bill for 2000), although it does not form part of the European transport
priorities laid down so far.

Can the Council therefore confirm that the tunnel will reopen in March 2001? What improved safety
standards will be introduced and what steps will be taken to control heavy goods traffic through the tunnel
in the form of either a ban or the introduction of quotas?

Reply

(10 November 2000)

The Member States concerned have the information and are competent to answer the questions put by the
Honourable Member. However, it should be borne in mind that the safety measures to be applied for the
movement of lorries in the Mont Blanc tunnel will in any event still have to comply with Community law
and in particular the principle of non-discrimination.

(2001/C 103 E/207)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2556/00

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(31 July 2000)

Subject: Stateless nations and the Member States(cid:146) internal bodies vis-(cid:224)-vis the reform of the treaties at the

Intergovernmental Conference

Is the French Presidency of the European Council intending to ensure that the treaty reform carried out at
the Nice Intergovernmental Conference specifically grants geographically-based political bodies with
constitutional, executive and legislative powers (such as nations, L(cid:228)nder, autonomous communities and
federated regions) a direct presence within the European institutions, thus enabling them to secure specific
recognition of their political (and, in this particular case, national rather than local or regional) character?

C 103 E/182

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

Reply

(10 November 2000)

The Intergovernmental Conference is a temporary forum made up of the Representatives of the Govern-
ments of Member States and distinct from the Council. The European Parliament takes part in it through
the attendance of two observers. The Council does not take part in the proceedings of the IGC.

(2001/C 103 E/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2558/00

by Anneli HulthØn (PSE) to the Commission

(28 July 2000)

Subject: Hemp production

How much hemp is now produced in the European Union, and how much of it is used in the manufacture
of rope? Does the Commission have any information regarding the uses to which the hemp not used in
rope manufacture is put?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 October 2000)

The Commission has no official figures on the volume of hemp grown. The acreages declared by Member
States and indicative average yields give a figure to be treated with caution, of around 30 000 tonnes of
hemp fibre.

Strong competition from synthetic fibres means that very little hemp fibre is used to make rope. At
present most is used for making paper. A whole range of niche outlets is being researched or developed,
e.g. in the vehicle and building industries, but markets are limited for the moment.

Other parts of the plant are sold, in particular the shives (woody matter), often used as bedding for
animals, and the seed, frequently used as bird food.

(2001/C 103 E/209)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2560/00

by Elena Paciotti (PSE) to the Council

(26 July 2000)

Subject: Respect for human rights in Bahrain

The situation with regard to human rights and democracy in Bahrain is causing serious concern. Following
the introduction of the law on (cid:145)State security(cid:146) in 1974 and the subsequent dissolution of Parliament in
1975, there have been systematic violations of human rights and respect for minorities, consisting in
arrests and imprisonment without trial and numerous cases of torture, documented by many international
organisations.

The Bahraini authorities are denying international observers access to the country and refusing to provide
information and explanations to UN bodies which have requested them, despite the fact that the country is
a signatory to the Convention against torture.