WRITTEN QUESTION E-3146/00 by Mario Mastella (PPE-DE) to the Commission. High price of heating fuel in Italy.
Date: 2000-10-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, approximation of laws, diesel fuel, heating, price of energy

6.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 163 E/45

Can the Commission specify whether the joint action has had positive effects and, if so, what they are,
how and where the 3000 Albanian policemen are employed, what their duties are and who supervises the
deployment of these police officers and how?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 2000)

The Western European Union (WEU) mission, known as the multinational police advisory element (MAPE),
provides training, assistance and advice to the Albanian police. WEU/MAPE works in co-operation with the
Albanian Ministry of Public Order mainly in Tirana, Durres and in mobile teams at district level. Its
activities do not cover the (almost non-existent) Albanian military coastguards.

The Union joint action mentioned by the Honourable Member has been the basis for Union support for
MAPE since March 1999. The MAPE mission forms part of a wider strategy, also involving Community
assistance, in co-operation with MAPE, for procurement of equipment for the Albanian police.

The Commission considers that overall security and public order in Albania have improved considerably
compared with the situation that prevailed in 1997. Nevertheless, the 1999 Kosovo crisis created problems
for policing in Albania, such as the increase in illegal trafficking of human beings, which has led inter alia
to the incident mentioned by the Honourable Member.

The results of the MAPE training programme need to be assessed against the background of the difficult
circumstances in Albania. While it is true that the MAPE mission has suffered from a relatively high level
of turnover within the Albanian police service (cid:129) up to 30 % of the policemen who received training since
1999 have left the service or been dismissed (cid:129) according to Commission information, more than 3 000 of
the around 14 000 Albanian policemen have received basic training since 1999. In addition, a (cid:145)training for
trainers(cid:146) programme was launched recently.

As to MAPE(cid:146)s advisory function, in November 1999 Albania adopted a framework law for its state police.
This is currently being implemented through adoption of numerous subsidiary regulations in line with the
1999 civil service law. It is expected that a sound legal framework, combined with continued efforts in
terms of training, advice and equipment support will help to create a more stable environment and
a better-functioning police force, thus improving security and public order in the country.

In the overall context of integration of certain WEU functions into the Union, a comprehensive evaluation
of the activities of WEU/MAPE and a general assessment of police reform in Albania is envisaged. This will
provide the basis for reflection on a possible extension and adjustment of MAPE activities in Albania after
31 December 2000.

(2001/C 163 E/044)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3146/00

by Mario Mastella (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 October 2000)

Subject: High price of heating fuel in Italy

In Italy the price of heating fuel is twice as high as that set by the other Member States and has now
reached ITL 1 700 per litre, compared with the European average of ITL 800.

This problem is particularly acute for Italians living in mountain regions, especially pensioners, who are
obliged to heat their houses for nine months a year.

It is essential to bring the price of heating fuel in Italy into line with the European average.

Does the Commission intend to propose legislation setting out the conditions for establishing a uniform
price for heating fuel in all the Member States?

C 163 E/46

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2001

Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2000)

The price of heating gas oil is indeed higher in Italy than in the other Member States. This is mainly
because the level of
is significantly higher in Italy than in other
Community countries.

taxation applied to this product

the levels of

taxation applied by the Member States to energy products is
The approximation of
a longstanding Commission objective. The best way to make progress in this direction would be to
establish appropriate minimum levels for the Community and review them at regular intervals. This
approach is at the basis of the proposal for a Council Directive on the taxation of energy products
presented by the Commission in March 1997 (1). The aim of the proposal is to update and improve the
Community legislative framework for the taxation of energy products, namely Council Directive 92/81/
EEC of 19 October 1992 on the harmonisation of the structures of excise duties on mineral oils, (2) and
Council Directive 92/82/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the approximation of the rates of excise duties on
mineral oils (2) (the latter already established minimum levels of taxation for petroleum products, which are
included in the Commission proposal). The proposal has not yet been adopted by the Council: progress
has been very slow, as the Council has to agree unanimously on it.

The Commission intends to pursue its efforts to achieve approximation of the levels of taxation applied to
energy products;

(1) OJ C 139, 6.5.1997.
(2) OJ L 316, 31.10.1992.

(2001/C 163 E/045)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3161/00

by Carlos Ripoll y Mart(cid:237)nez de Bedoya (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 October 2000)

Subject: EU funding

It is a well-known fact that, in order to gain access to European funding, municipalities must channel their
requests for funding through their regional or central governments, with the result that, when political
leanings differ, EU funding can be very hard to obtain.

The repercussions of this are very serious for many European citizens, who do not have the same
opportunities to improve their quality of life as a result of this politically motivated punishment.

Given the aim of ensuring that all European citizens enjoy equal access to European funding:

1. what programmes are there for municipalities in the EU and their development?

2. what existing EU programmes can municipalities gain access to directly, without having to go through

central or regional government channels?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(12 December 2000)

Municipalities may be considered eligible for Community funding under the various Structural Funds.