WRITTEN QUESTION P-2799/00 by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission. Involvement of European companies AGIP and BP Amoco in the exploitation of Tibetan oil resources by the People's Republic of China.
Date: 2000-09-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, Italy, Tibetan question, United Kingdom, chemistry, common foreign and security policy, investment abroad, oil industry, powers of the institutions (EU), sustainable development

C 103 E/220

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 2000)

In accordance with its obligations under European law, the international football federation (FIFA) and its
appointed bodies are required to ensure that ticket distribution and sales arrangements put in place for the
2006 football world cup comply fully with EC Treaty provisions, including European competition rules.
While this remains a matter for FIFA in the absence of any ground for concern, the Commission remains
at FIFA(cid:146)s disposal to discuss and advise upon any proposed ticket sales arrangements for the 2006 football
world cup with a view to ensuring their compliance with European rules.

As the Honourable Member will be aware, the Commission addressed a decision in 1999 to the local
organising committee of the 1998 football world cup following the implementation of discriminatory
ticket sales arrangements favouring consumers resident in France. While the Commission does not wish to
see any repetition of those or indeed the unjustified implementation of other discriminatory ticket sales
arrangements, the Honourable Member should be aware that where it is appropriate to do so the
Commission will not hesitate to take action against tournament organisers who fail to comply with their
legal obligations under the EC Treaty in this regard.

(2001/C 103 E/258)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2799/00

by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission

(4 September 2000)

Subject: Involvement of European companies AGIP and BP Amoco in the exploitation of Tibetan oil

resources by the People(cid:146)s Republic of China

The China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has begun building a gas pipeline to transport gas from
the Tsaidam Basin in Tibet to Lanzhou. The CNPC is a state monopoly with sole rights to exploit Tibet(cid:146)s
oil and gas resources. The CNPC(cid:146)s partners are the Italian company AGIP Petroleum, the British company
BP Amoco and Enron.

What information does the Commission have regarding the extent of the involvement by AGIP and BP
Amoco in the project by China to appropriate and exploit Tibet(cid:146)s natural resources? Does it not consider
that the implementation of this project will lead to a further influx of Chinese settlers into Tibet, as well as
damaging the environment, and that it should therefore deter any involvement by Union companies? Does
the Commission have any information as to whether there have been any discussions concerning the
project between the European companies involved and the Tibetan government-in-exile? Does it not
consider that this project is inconsistent with the principles of self-government for Tibet, protection of the
environment, sustainable development, and respect for human rights, which are stated objectives of the
Union and guidelines for its external action?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(18 September 2000)

The Commission is committed to the preservation of the cultural, linguistic, and religious identity of the
autonomous region of Tibet. This issue has been consistently raised within the Union-China human rights
dialogue as well as in the framework of the political dialogue with Beijing. The Commission also
endeavours to promote sustainable development through its cooperation programme with China, and
maintains a dialogue with China on global environmental objectives, in particular biodiversity.

3.4.2001

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/221

The Commission is aware of media reports that European companies seek participation in the Chinese oil
and petrochemical industry. The Commission is also aware of concerns which have been expressed about
the effect on Tibet(cid:146)s environment of exploration activities there. However, the Commission has no means
and no competence to influence investment decisions by individual European companies.

(2001/C 103 E/259)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2805/00

by Imelda Read (PSE) to the Commission

(4 September 2000)

Subject: Japanese Automotive Manufacturers Association

Since December 1999, the European Commission has invited the Japanese Automotive Manufacturers
Association (JAMA) to the European Commission(cid:146)s Motor Vehicle Working Group and, since February
2000, to the Motor Vehicle Emissions Group. This is particularly welcome because neither JAMA, nor any
Japanese car manufacturer, was involved in the discussions relating to Auto-Oil I and II.

Can the European Commission indicate when JAMA, an association representing 33 000 direct and
approximately 150 000 indirect jobs in the European Union and producing over 1 million vehicles in the
EU, could be invited to join other working groups and/or committees, such as the European Enhanced
Safety Vehicle Committee? Such involvement would permit JAMA, and its members, to contribute their
expertise for the benefit of European consumers.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(11 October 2000)

As correctly indicated by the Honourable Member, the Commission has invited the Japanese Automotive
Manufacturers Association (JAMA) to participate in meetings of its motor vehicle working group. This
initiative has been taken by the Commission in a spirit of transparency and openness towards an
important economic sector in the automotive industry.

JAMA was invited for the very first time to participate in the motor vehicle working group meeting held
in June 1999. It was further invited to all subsequent meetings of the same group and, as from February
2000 onwards, also to meetings of the ad hoc motor vehicle emissions group (MVEG).

The Commission will of course continue to invite JAMA to participate in these meetings in the future. It is
also the Commission(cid:146)s intention to invite JAMA to participate in all forthcoming meetings of its other ad
hoc working groups, which directly report to the motor vehicle working group.

It should further be observed that the Commission does not manage the European enhanced safety vehicle
committee. The Commission can therefore not commit itself to invite JAMA to participate in this
committee(cid:146)s meetings.

(2001/C 103 E/260)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2814/00

by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission

(5 September 2000)

Subject: Cooperative enterprises

Acknowledging the importance that the Commission places on cooperative enterprises, what steps is it
taking to promote development of cooperative enterprises through the social and regional funds?