WRITTEN QUESTION E-4090/00 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Improving the EU's trade relations with Mercosur and Chile.
Date: 2001-01-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Chile, European Union, Mercosur, economic cooperation, trade relations

C 187 E/130

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.7.2001

Article 152.5 (ex Article 129) of the EC Treaty States that (cid:145)Community action in the field of public health
shall fully respect the responsibilities of the Member States for the organisation and delivery of health
services and medical care (cid:133)(cid:146). The Commission will however consider possibilities for promoting exchange
of information on the best treatment for vCJD, which could be addressed within the framework of the new
public health programme (3) currently under discussion in Parliament and Council.

(1) R. G. Will et al., The Lancet 1996: 347;921-25, also available on www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/lancet.htm).
(2) Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE).
(3) OJ C 337 E, 28.11.2000 and COM(2000) 285 final.

(2001/C 187 E/137)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4088/00

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(10 January 2001)

Subject: The floor coverings industry

Has the Commission studied training provision in the floor coverings industry? Does the Commission have
any plans for improvements in such provision?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 2001)

The floor covering industry would potentially deal with a large and diversified area, including parquet
flooring, carpet laying, thermo-plastic tiles, ceramics etc. each requiring different skills and training.
Activity at European level is currently looking generally at training provision in the construction sector.

The Leonardo da Vinci programme provides support for innovation in vocational training. In the period
1995-1999 (first phase), it financed one project concerning the floor covering industry (cid:145)Vocational training
for tilers in Europe (1995) (cid:129) contractant: Assopiastrelle(cid:146). Moreover, several other projects fostered
innovation in training in the construction sector in general.

(2001/C 187 E/138)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4090/00

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Improving the EU(cid:146)s trade relations with Mercosur and Chile

(10 January 2001)

The recent holding in Madrid of the First European Union, Latin America and Caribbean Business Summit,
which was attended by 19 European and Latin American businessmen, was an appropriate occasion for
discussing practical measures intended to improve the European Union(cid:146)s trade relations with Mercosur and
Chile.

During their courtesy visit to the leader of the Spanish Government the summit participants called for
Spain to take on the job of improving those relations by means of practical, effective measures, in view of
the special role played by Spain as an intermediary between the two economic blocs.

In response to a request made at the abovementioned summit should the Commission not propose that
a monitoring centre be set up in Madrid, the role of which would be to put forward initiatives and
proposals designed to enable business circles in the European Union and in Mercosur and Chile to improve
trade relations between the two economic blocs?

3.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187 E/131

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(27 February 2001)

At present there are many ongoing initiatives which aim at improving trade relations between the

1.
two economic blocs.

2.
Firstly, the European Commission works closely with the Mercosur EU Business Forum (MEBF),
which is an association of business representatives and associations from both regions that wishes to
enhance commercial relations between the EU and Mercosur and facilitate trade and investment flows. The
MEBF has been able to establish itself as the main representative of the business communities of the EU
and Mercosur and the European Commission has continued to support the MEBF initiative from its
inception in 1998. The recent EU-Latin America/Caribbean business summit in Madrid declared its support
for the MEBF(cid:146)s activities and specifically invited the MEBF to participate in a prominent way in the summit
meeting. Thus, within the business community there already exists a forum aimed at improving trade
relations between the EU and Mercosur.

3.
Secondly, the European Commission has undertaken practical measures in support of EU-Latin
American business relations, among others through a number of business-related economic co-operation
programmes, such as AL-INVEST, ALURE and ECIP. These types of successful programmes, in particular
AL-INVEST, will continue into the future with the aim of supporting the European business community in
its contacts with Mercosur.

4.
Taking into account the above, the European Commission considers there is no need at present for
a monitoring centre in Madrid which would put forward initiatives and proposals designed to enable
business circles in the EU and Mercosur-Chile to improve trade relations.

(2001/C 187 E/139)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4092/00

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 January 2001)

Subject: Lack of EU funding for the solar energy programme in Andalusia (Spain)

Andalusian manufacturers and fitters of solar panels have warned that a cut in funding for their regional
government(cid:146)s aid programme for this type of renewable-energy technology is threatening the viability of
the sector. The amount of aid has been reduced from an original ESP 1,7 billion to 1,2 billion.

According to the Andalusia regional government(cid:146)s ministry for industry, this reduction is due to a lack of
EU funding which, in the view of companies operating in the sector, will lead to a major scaling-down in
growth predictions. Current demand is for over 45 000 m2 of panels, half of which will not now be
manufactured.

What information can the Commission provide regarding the lack of EU funding for the implementation
of a programme to fit this type of renewable-energy technology, and to what extent can this shortfall be
made up, so as not to impede the major growth in this sector which is currently being witnessed in
Andalusia?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(19 February 2001)

The integrated operational programme for the Autonomous Community of Andalusia for the 2000-2006
programming period, which the Commission approved on 29 December 2000, provides just over € 65
million (about PTE 11 billion) to promote and support renewable energy and energy saving among
business and private consumers. The Community Funds are providing 59 % of this amount.