WRITTEN QUESTION E-4080/00 by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Commission. Cooperation agreements with the countries of Central Asia.
Date: 2001-01-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, cooperation agreement (EU)

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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19.6.2001

Secondly, the Commission does not wish to impose a transfer system on professional football, nor does it
have the power to do so. Its role is quite simply to ensure that the transfer system complies with
Community law. Subject to this, the Commission respects the sporting world(cid:146)s autonomy in drawing up its
own rules.

Finally, the Commission hopes that the solution reached is not only in compliance with Community law,
but also in the best interests of football and all those involved in it.

With this in mind, the Commission is currently analysing the proposals received on 31 October 2000 on
reforming the transfer system. The areas under discussion include the procedures for terminating contracts.
The Commission believes that in this as in many other areas it is important to reconcile the needs specific
to the organisation of sporting competitions with respect for the basic principles of Community law.

(2001/C 174 E/246)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4080/00

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Commission

(10 January 2001)

Subject: Cooperation agreements with the countries of Central Asia

Despite the hopes of economic and social development prevalent among the countries of Central Asia after
the dissolution of the Soviet Union, today, ten years after becoming independent, these countries are facing
a profound crisis with no solution in sight. Recent reports in the New York Times point to the adverse
trend of economic indicators for these countries, a rise in corruption and a lack of investment leading to
high unemployment and poverty for large sections of society. Some years ago the European Union
concluded cooperation agreements with the five countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan,
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan) aimed at fostering the economic development of these countries.

Can the Commission say what progress has been made in implementing these agreements?

Does it consider that this initiative has contributed to the economic development of the countries of
Central Europe and, if so, to what extent?

take the view that

Does it
for promoting the
development of, and granting aid to, fledgling countries which it can use in future in other regions
where the interests of the EU are at stake?

these agreements have proved a successful model

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2001)

The partnership and cooperation agreements (PCAs) with three Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, entered into force on 1 July 1999. The consultation bodies (cooperation
councils, cooperation committees and subcommittees, and parliamentary cooperation committees) pro-
vided for in these agreements have all been set up and have met one or more times in Europe or in the
countries concerned. Implementing mechanisms (secretariats) are now operational. The fourth agreement,
with Turkmenistan, has not yet been ratified so has not yet into entered into force. The interim agreement
with Turkmenistan is not yet operational either as the opinion of the national parliament has yet to be
formulated.

The countries of Central Asia attach great importance to relations with the EU. They always take an active
part in the meetings. Their delegations are led by top politicians (prime minister, deputy prime minister or
foreign affairs minister) and all government departments are involved in preparing the meetings, thus
making for an effective exchange of information between the parties. The countries of Central Asia are
very much interested in economic aspects (trade, foreign investment, outside assistance) as this enables

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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them to pursue their economic policies more easily and gear their economies to the new market
conditions. The EU is often their leading trading partner, sometimes even ahead of the countries of the
former Soviet Union.

The agreements reflect the progress made in the EU(cid:146)s bilateral relations these countries. They reflect the
historical context (transition from the former Soviet Union to independent and modern structures) and the
thoroughgoing changes in the societies of those countries with the switch from a socialist to a market
economy and the adoption of democratic principles (free elections, respect for human rights and the rule
of law). By putting in place a political dialogue, the agreements are thus geared to these conditions and
fulfil this function in countries still in the throes of transition and in which reforms have yet to be
completed or even started. They were designed solely for relations with the new independent states of the
former Soviet Union.

(2001/C 174 E/247)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4084/00

by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 January 2001)

Subject: Italian law on the buying, registration and selling of cars

Does the European Commission believe that the Italian law governing the buying, registration and selling
of cars complies with EC law, with particular regard to nationals of other EU Member States who are
legally resident there?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2001)

The Commission has looked into issues relating to the car market, with particular regard to State measures
governing the import and registration of new and second-hand cars for private or business use. It has
dealt,
for example, with a complaint concerning the possibility of Community citizens buying and
registering vehicles in Italy without being legally resident in that Member State. The case was resolved
and filed in 2000 after a circular was adopted giving all Community citizens the right to register a car in
Italy under their own name, provided that they have reasonably close ties to the country (for example, if
they own a secondary residence there).

However, the Commission would like to give the fullest possible answer to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s
question, which seems to concern a problem encountered by nationals of other Member States when
buying or registering cars in Italy. To do this, the Commission would need further details concerning legal
provisions, practical difficulties (for example, documents required and compulsory technical inspections),
administrative or fiscal barriers, and any excessive costs, which might exist in this Member State.

(2001/C 174 E/248)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4086/00

by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 January 2001)

Subject: Business Impact Assessments

Bearing in mind that the Commission is responsible for carrying out a Business Impact Assessment on all
of its proposals, given that four Council of Ministers resolutions and a Council decision reaffirm this fact,