WRITTEN QUESTION E-2916/00 by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Transport licences for traffic between Austria and Romania.
Date: 2000-09-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Austria, Romania, bilateral agreement, competence of the Member States, road transport, transport licence

C 113 E/212

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2001

(b)

If so, does the German aid in constructing a new military chemicals laboratory in Turkey conform
with the CWC which obliges the states which are parties to it, including Germany, never, under
any circumstances, to develop, produce, acquire in any other way, stockpile, possess or transfer
directly or indirectly chemical weapons?

(1) OJ C 46 E, 13.2.2001, p. 146.

Reply

(16 November 2000)

The Honourable Member should note that, under Article 22 of the TEU:

Any Member State or the Commission may refer to the Council any question relating to the common
foreign and security policy and may submit proposals to the Council.

(2001/C 113 E/228)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2916/00

by Paul R(cid:252)big (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2000)

Subject: Transport licences for traffic between Austria and Romania

Since 1991 trade across the border between Romania and Austria has increased three-fold. However, for
years the scope of 4 500 transport licences has hardly been increased. In comparison, there is an effective
demand for approximately 8 000 licences per annum. Transport is being forced to make the shift to rail
traffic ((cid:146)rolling road(cid:146)), but this brings with it considerable delays and irregularities. Developments make
speedy solutions necessary: in the first quarter of 2000 alone, Austrian exports to Romania increased by
over 13 %.

How does the Commission assess this situation, both in relation to its Internal Market policy on the one
hand, and in view of the accession efforts of Romania on the other?

What can and will the Commission undertake, in order to bring about an increase in the number of annual
transport licences?

Alternatively, does the Commission consider the improvement of the (cid:145)rolling road(cid:146) to be a way to protect
trade across borders?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(20 October 2000)

The Honourable Member points out that transport licences between Austria and Romania are insufficient
in light of increasing trade.

Shortages of bilateral transport authorizations between Romania and Austria fall under the competence of
Austria, as does the preference Austria accords to the usage of the (cid:145)rolling road(cid:146) by third country transports
under bilateral agreements.

In fact the relevant Community law, i.e. Council Regulation (EEC) No 881/92 of 26 March 1992 on access
to the market in the carriage of goods by road within the Community to or from the territory of a
Member State or passing across the territory of one or more Member States (1), expressly states that,
pending the conclusion of agreements between the Community and third countries, the Regulation shall
not affect bilateral agreements concluded by Member States with third countries.

18.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 113 E/213

At present, given the continuous resistance of the Council in general, there are no negotiations taking
place between the Community and Romania with a view to the conclusion of a road transport agreement
replacing completely the bilateral agreements concluded between Member States and Romania.

(1) OJ L 95, 9.4.1992.

(2001/C 113 E/229)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2919/00

by Didier Rod (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 September 2000)

Subject: Science and technology cooperation with developing countries

In the Fifth Research Framework Programme an approximate € 210 million have been devoted to S & T in
developing countries, notably in the sectors of health, environment and agriculture. Given the long-
standing S & T cooperation with Asia, Africa and Latin America over the past two decades and the high
profile given to it by bi-regional political fora (ASEM, Rio Summit 1999, EU-Africa Summit April 2000)
and its relevance for the implementation of the Conventions for Biodiversity, Desertification and Climate
Change, what is the role to be assigned to S & T cooperation in the European Research Area and the Sixth
Framework Programme?

European research has been promoted against the background of improving EU integration, competitive-
ness and of guaranteeing European presence in top research areas of the international scientific commun-
ity. Since the 1980s (cid:129) and as a synergy with EU development policies (cid:129) the INCO programme promotes
scientific cooperation with developing countries.

In the recent discussions about the European Research Area, the international scientific cooperation with
developing countries is not even mentioned. Does this mean that 20 years of fruitful scientific partnership
with these countries will be given up?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(11 October 2000)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-2091/00 by
Mr Salafranca SÆnchez-Neyra (1).

The said answer still applies.

(1) OJ C 89 E, 20.3.2001.

(2001/C 113 E/230)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2921/00

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2000)

Subject: Preservation of fishing stocks

In the light of the Ospar Report findings, has the Commission plans to take steps to ensure the protection
of deep-sea fishing stocks?