WRITTEN QUESTION E-4034/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Council. 133 Committee.
Date: 2001-01-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Council of the European Union, European Commission, comitology, committee (EU), common commercial policy, interinstitutional relations (EU), transparency in decision-making

C 261 E/20

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.9.2001

definition (cid:145)environmentally sensitive areas(cid:146) in the field of nature should be sites which have been identified
by the national authorities as sites to be designated or proposed for the Natura 2000 network as laid down
in the Habitats and the Birds Directives. As long as no lists of such sites have been identified by the
competent authorities, which is the case in the Czech Republic, the following types of sites shall be
regarded as (cid:145)environmentally sensitive areas(cid:146) in the field of nature protection: (a) sites listed in the latest
inventory on important bird areas for candidate countries (IBA 2000, prepared by Birdlife International)
and (if available) equivalent more detailed scientific inventories endorsed by national authorities;
(b) wetlands of international
importance designated under Ramsar Convention or qualifying for such
protection, (c) areas to which the Bern Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural
(d) areas
habitats (Article 4) applies,
protected under national nature conservation legislation.

in particular sites meeting the criteria of the Emerald network,

As already mentioned, the D8 motorway is included as a transport link in the TINA network. As such,
projects included in the TINA network, and therefore, related to stretches of this motorway are potentially
eligible for ISPA co-financing. So far the Commission adopted a decision the 29 December 2000 on co-
financing project preparation for a number of Czech transport projects, including four schemes related to
the D8 motorway located between Usti nad Labem and the German border at Petrovice. The objective of
this project preparation facility is to assist the Czech Republic in preparing projects which are in line with
the acquis, including all the information required by the ISPA Regulation.

After having finalized the project preparation for the Prague-Dresden motorway, the Czech Republic might
submit an application form for ISPA funding to the Commission. The Commission will then perform a
detailed examination of the application, including the environmental impact assessment of the schemes,
consideration of environmental sensitive areas, and the proper consideration of alternatives, prior to
reaching any decision on whether to submit a proposal to the ISPA Management Committee for co-
financing the construction works.

In conclusion, the Commission will give proper consideration to the issue of the nature reserve Ceske
Stredohori in the event of it being affected by any scheme for which ISPA infrastructure co-financing will
be requested.

(1) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.
(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.
(3) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(2001/C 261 E/019)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4034/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(3 January 2001)

Subject: 133 Committee

The 133 Committee is the real power behind and decision-making centre for the European Union(cid:146)s
commercial policy. It takes its name from Article 133 of the Treaty of Amsterdam. That article provides
for the establishment of a special committee appointed by the Council to assist the European Commission.
The 133 Committee constitutes the link between the European Commission and the Council.

Each Member State has one full and one substitute member to represent it on that committee. Those civil
servants take important decisions relating to international trade issues such as the banana dispute, the
supply of medicinal products to poor countries and the American levy on European steel. The Council
resolves any political problems and ratifies the decisions taken by the committee. Some proposals are
debated solely within the committee and approved en bloc by Coreper (the national civil servants
appointed to the European Union) without further debate.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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1. When was the 133 Committee established and constituted?

2. Who serve as full and substitute members on the 133 Committee?

3.

How many times has the 133 Committee met since it was established?

4. What issues has the 133 Committee debated and settled since it was established?

5.

How many proposals from the 133 Committee has Coreper approved without further debate?

(2001/C 261 E/020)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4036/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(3 January 2001)

Subject: 133 Committee (2)

The 133 Committee is the real power behind and decision-making centre for the European Union(cid:146)s
commercial policy. It takes its name from Article 133 of the Treaty of Amsterdam. That article provides
for the establishment of a special committee appointed by the Council to assist the European Commission.
The 133 Committee constitutes the link between the European Commission and the Council.

Each Member State has one full and one substitute member to represent it on that committee. Those civil
servants take important decisions relating to international trade issues such as the banana dispute, the
supply of medicinal products to poor countries and the American levy on European steel. The Council
resolves any political problems and ratifies the decisions taken by the committee. Some proposals are
debated solely within the committee and approved en bloc by Coreper (the national civil servants
appointed to the European Union) without further debate.

Are reports published about the documents used by and the debates in the 133 Committee?

1.

2.

If so, does the public have access to those reports?

(a)

If not, why are no reports published about the documents used by and the debates in the 133
Committee, given the political nature of the decisions taken?

(b) Will the Council ensure that, henceforth, reports are published about the documents used by and
the debates in the 133 Committee? Will it also ensure that the public has access to those reports?
If not, why does the Council refuse inspection of the decision-making process in the 133
Committee?

(2001/C 261 E/021)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4037/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(3 January 2001)

Subject: 133 Committee (3)

The 133 Committee is the real power behind and decision-making centre for the European Union(cid:146)s
commercial policy. It takes its name from Article 133 of the Treaty of Amsterdam. That article provides
for the establishment of a special committee appointed by the Council to assist the European Commission.
The 133 Committee constitutes the link between the European Commission and the Council.

Each Member State has one full and one substitute member to represent it on that committee. Those civil
servants take important decisions relating to international trade issues such as the banana dispute, the
supply of medicinal products to poor countries and the American levy on European steel. The Council
resolves any political problems and ratifies the decisions taken by the committee. Some proposals are
debated solely within the committee and approved en bloc by Coreper (the national civil servants
appointed to the European Union) without further debate.