WRITTEN QUESTION E-2742/00 by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Possibility of investment in Sardinia in conjunction with the regional development programme 2000-2006 and overhead high tension power lines in the vicinity of Lake Molentergius, Sardinia.
Date: 2000-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, EU programme, Sardinia, energy grid, energy policy, less-favoured region, protection of animal life, regional aid, regional development, renewable energy

C 136 E/82

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

(2001/C 136 E/092)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2735/00

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Opening of negotiations between the EU and Bulgaria

(1 September 2000)

In line with the work programme of the French Presidency as regards the opening of negotiations with the
applicant countries, talks between the European Union and Bulgaria are initially expected to address only
five areas of EU legislation, which will lead to a further delay in the country(cid:146)s accession process.

Does the Commission believe that the number of areas to be covered in the negotiations is sufficient, or
should more areas be addressed, with a view to speeding up the process of Bulgaria(cid:146)s accession to the EU?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(26 September 2000)

The Member States have decided to open accession negotiations with Bulgaria on five additional chapters
under the French Presidency, on top of the six that were opened under the Portuguese Presidency. This was
in line with suggestions by the Commission. It brings the total number of chapters on the negotiating table
to eleven (free movement of capital, company law, statistics, small and medium-sized enterprises, science
and research, education and training, telecommunications, culture and audiovisual policy, consumers and
health protection, external relations and common foreign and security policy). Of these, four chapters have
already been provisionally closed during the Portuguese Presidency (small and medium-sized enterprises,
science and research, education and training, and common foreign and security policy).

Given the fact that negotiations with Bulgaria started only in March 2000, the Commission considers that
the progress achieved so far constitutes rapid progress.

(2001/C 136 E/093)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2742/00

by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Possibility of investment in Sardinia in conjunction with the regional development programme
2000-2006 and overhead high tension power lines in the vicinity of Lake Molentergius, Sardinia

The energy and gas authority has described the quality of Sardinia(cid:146)s electricity service as the worst in the
country. Both the number and duration of the power cuts are among the highest for all Italian regions.
Measures in the energy policy sector are planned under the regional development programme 2000-2006.

What investments does the Commission intend to promote in Sardinia to remedy the shortcomings there
(lack of main stations, 15 000 volt medium-voltage lines, low-voltage stations and lines), without damaging
the landscape and environment of Sardinia? What percentage of energy policy resources will be allocated
to renewable sources of energy? What percentage of energy needs should be met from renewable energy
sources by the end of the regional development programme 2000-2006?

The Lake of Molentergius, which is a protected area under the Ramsar Convention, lies in the path of two
150 000-volt high-voltage power lines which, as pointed out
in protests by environmental groups,
represent a threat to local bird life, particularly pink flamingoes. In other parts of Sardinia, overhead
power lines of the same kind run through residential areas, in particular the districts of Pitze Serra, Quartu
(S. Elena) and Serra Secca, Sassari.

8.5.2001

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/83

Could the Commission provide funds from the regional development programme 2000-2006 financed by
the structural funds available for energy policy, in order to remove overhead power lines in environmen-
tally sensitive areas, such as the Lake of Molentergius, and replace them with underground cables?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(30 October 2000)

The Commission is aware that Sardinia is lagging behind in the energy sector.

To this end, the Regional Operational Programme for Sardinia has established priorities in this sector,
under the Community support framework for the Italian regions eligible for Objective 1 in 2000-2006,
which include in particular, developing renewable sources as well as supporting the request for energy-
saving measures. These priorities are included in measure 1.6 of the (cid:145)Natural Resources(cid:146) priority, which
provides for the part-financing of measures in the solar, hydroelectric, wind energy sectors and biomass.
The stated aim is to double the percentage of energy produced by these means before 2010 (from the
current 2 % to 4 %).

In accordance with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying
down general provisions on the Structural (1) Funds, the implementation of this measure as well as the
financial resources needed will be clarified in the programming complement.

The Commission is also aware of
the problem regarding Lake Molentergius. Where this matter is
concerned, measure 1.5 of the (cid:145)Natural Resources(cid:146) priority provides for the financing of measures to
reduce the impact of high-voltage lines in particularly sensitive sites (Natura 2000 network).

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2001/C 136 E/094)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2752/00

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Tax loopholes in the motor vehicle repair trade

(1 September 2000)

It has been drawn to my attention that a VAT tax loophole exists within the motor vehicle repair trade,
arising from the fact that independent garages must charge VAT on labour costs, whereas garages owned
by an insurance company do not.

This tax advantage is leading more and more insurance companies to set up their own garages to the
detriment of independent garages.

Does the Commission view this VAT discrepancy as an infringement of EU legislation on fair competition?

(2001/C 136 E/095)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2832/00

by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission

(6 September 2000)

Subject: Consistency of VAT charges for car repairs and European law

Can the Commission comment on the apparent anomaly between car repair undertaken by an independent
garage, on which the full rate of VAT is applicable, and the same repair undertaken by an insurance