WRITTEN QUESTION E-3003/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Level crossing at Oios.
Date: 2000-09-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cohesion Fund, Greece, environmental protection, rail transport, town planning, transport infrastructure

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/153

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(27 October 2000)

The Commission is aware of the debate on the potential dangers of using a mobile phone while driving
and is following the issue closely.

As the Honourable Member notes there are differing regulations in the Member States concerning the use
of mobile phones while driving.

Some Member States allow only (cid:145)hands free(cid:146) phones, others have no formal restriction on phone use, but
require in the highway code that the driver be fully in control of the vehicle at all times. Regarding (cid:145)hands
free(cid:146) telephones, the use of a speaker or ear-piece is not specified. The only requirement is that the driver
need not use their hands to operate the system.

Given that all Member States require the driver to be in full control of their vehicle at all times and the
rapid evolution of technology, the Commission does not feel it necessary to intervene at this stage and to
propose specific legislation for mobile phones. As the type of hands free mobile phone allowed also varies,
the Commission does not propose uniform standards for ear-pieces or speakers.

(2001/C 136 E/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3003/00

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 September 2000)

Subject: Level crossing at Oios

As part of the Greek Railway Board (OSE) projects co-funded by the European Union plans are being
studied for a level crossing at Oios in the Aghios Stephanos area. The proposal by the Ergose for a flyover
to be built has met with criticism from the local authorities and the local inhabitants, given that this
proposal does nothing to solve the problem of the lack of cohesion of Aghios Stephanos which has been
cut in two by the railway lines and significantly degrades the natural and urban environment.

By decision No. 6/2000 the Prefectural Council of the Prefecture of Attica has rejected the environmental
study and called for consideration to be given to a solution involving lowering the level of the lines. The
Municipal Council of Aghios Stephanos (in decision 81/2000) and other local bodies reached similar
decisions and are calling for this solution to be examined. The main argument used by the Ergose in the
face of these demands is the impossibility of securing the necessary appropriations to implement the
project of lowering the level of the rails.

What measures does the Commission intend to take to ensure that consideration is given to the solution of
lowering the level of the rails which is the most appropriate solution from an environmental point of view
and is in line with the policy of integrated interventions and projects at local level?

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

(13 November 2000)

The forms of action to be jointly financed under the structural Funds and the projects to be jointly funded
under the cohesion fund are negotiated between the Commission and the Member States concerned. That
Member State is then to design and implement specific projects and activities while complying with
Community law. Subsequently the Commission only acts where there is a presumed infringement of
Community law. In view of the information provided by the Member State this would seem not to be the
case as regards the project at issue.

C 136 E/154

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

Consequently, and as part of subsidiarity, the Commission is unable to ask that Member State to replace
the building of (cid:145)an elavated link(cid:146) with that of a (cid:145)hypsometric variant(cid:146) as requested by the Honourable
Member.

(2001/C 136 E/180)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3004/00

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

(26 September 2000)

Subject: Tuberculosis control

The TB control strategy known as (cid:145)DOTS(cid:146) (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course) has proven to be
the most effective strategy available for controlling the TB epidemic.

Can the Commission outline what efforts it is making to promote DOTS as a method of tackling the
tuberculosis epidemic, particularly in Africa and Asia?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(19 October 2000)

Tuberculosis (TB) is in most cases curable if the drugs are taken continually for the full duration of the
course. Problems arise when there are interruptions to supply or when the patient stops treatment when
he or she feels better. This is a recipe for development of resistance of the TB bacillus to drugs. DOTS
is the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended
(directly observed treatment, short-course)
standard treatment against
tuberculosis and has developed as a result of 20 years of programme
experience.

This strategy is adopted in most countries in Africa and Asia and receives the Commission(cid:146)s support.

TB control is an integral component part of health systems. Effective TB control and treatment should be a
part of every national health programme and funded from the national budget. However due to multiple
demands and inadequate health funds TB programmes, particularly in developing countries, have often
relied on external donor assistance.

Many initiatives undertaken by the Community are important for tuberculosis control in Europe and in the
rest of the world.

Among the Community initiatives focused on Europe, the following should be mentioned:

(cid:129) Community network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases (1),
that brings into permanent communication the institutes and public health authorities dealing with
infectious diseases and

(cid:129) Community action programme on immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other communicable
diseases (2), which provides financial assistance to projects such as Euro-TB (surveillance of TB in 51
countries of the WHO European Region which comprises also many Asian countries).

The Commission also participates in other relevant actions such as the (cid:145)Task Force on Communicable
Disease Control in the Baltic Sea Region(cid:146) and the (cid:145)EU-US Task Force on Communicable Diseases(cid:146).