WRITTEN QUESTION P-0346/01 by Helena Torres Marques (PSE) to the Commission. Distribution of euros before January 2002.
Date: 2001-02-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: euro, single monetary policy, third stage of EMU

C 187 E/218

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.7.2001

(2001/C 187 E/241)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0344/01

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Extension of the Athens underground railway

(6 February 2001)

The Greek Government has decided to extend the existing Athens underground railway line from Ethniki
Amyni, its current terminus, to Stavro Aghias Paraskevis, in order to facilitate connections with Athens(cid:146)s
new airport. The government claims that for reasons of speed and economy it has decided to dispense
with four of the five originally planned stations in the new section of the extension, which would have
served the districts of Holargos, Aghias Paraskevis etc.

Additionally, it appears that the Community appropriations which will be used to fund this extension have
already been authorised for use on the extension of the underground railway to Aigaleo, a primarily
working-class area of Athens, whose railway line has been postponed until much later. This would amount
to sacrificing connections for impoverished areas of the city to an attempt to serve the airport; it should,
however, be pointed out that the utility of this attempt is highly questionable, since the planned Stavro
station is several kilometres away from the airport.

Has the Commission been informed of these important changes, and what is its assessment of them?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 2001)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his Written Question E-3658/00 (1).

(1) See page 25.

(2001/C 187 E/242)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0346/01

by Helena Torres Marques (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Distribution of euros before January 2002

(6 February 2001)

The chart reproduced at the end of the Commission(cid:146)s monthly bulletin entitled (cid:145)Preparation for the
changeover to the euro(cid:146) indicates that retailers are to be supplied in advance with euros in the period
between 1 September and 17 December 2001.

Could the Commission confirm whether the above information is correct and say whether it believes that
the public at large should be supplied in advance with € 5 and € 10 notes from 1 December 2001?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2001)

The table reproduced at the end of the Commission(cid:146)s monthly bulletin entitled (cid:145)Preparation for the
changeover to the euro(cid:146) was compiled by the Commission on the basis of contributions provided by the
participating Member States.

The Member States of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) have agreed to reduce the period of dual
circulation of banknotes and coins in 2002 as much as possible. This is in order to reduce the possibility
of confusion for the citizens and to alleviate the necessity for the retail sector to operate in two currencies.

3.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187 E/219

A banknote frontloading to the public could in effect lengthen the dual circulation period and could run
counter to the reasons that led to its shortening. Moreover, banknote frontloading to the public could
entail the risk of early circulation of the notes before 1 January 2002. This is why the Ministers of Finance
and the Commission have concurred with the European Central Bank(cid:146)s position not to frontload banknotes
to the public.

(2001/C 187 E/243)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0348/01

by Giuseppe Di Lello Finuoli (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(6 February 2001)

Subject: Contract awarded by the municipality of Messina for a tramway to be financed with European

funding

In its reply of 6 June 2000 to this Member(cid:146)s Question E-1243/00 (1) of 14 April 2000, the Commission
said it (cid:145)will decide on the financing of the project(cid:146), implying that the decision had yet to be taken.

According to local media, in October 2000 the President of the Region of Sicily, Mr Vincenzo Leanza,
publicly announced that the funding would be granted.

Can the Commission clarify whether any, and if so what, decisions have been taken regarding the
financing of the project for the tramway in question?

(1) OJ C 72 E, 6.3.2001, p. 30.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(27 March 2001)

The Commission has not taken a formal decision on part-financing this project under the Structural Funds
because the Region of Sicily has not yet provided it with the information requested on the environmental
impact assessment.

(2001/C 187 E/244)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0354/01

by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(6 February 2001)

Subject: Moroccan fisheries agreement negotiations

I have been told at first hand from the highest level of the Moroccan Government that the round of talks
on signing a fresh fisheries agreement, which began last Thursday between the Commission and Moroccan
Government representatives broke off on Friday, with no date set for their resumption, when Mr Smidt,
the Commission(cid:146)s Director-General for Fisheries, announced that he was returning to Brussels for the
weekend.

This kind of behaviour, which makes a laughing-stock not only of Fisheries Commissioner Franz Fischler,
who is strongly in favour of the agreement, but also Commission President Romani Prodi himself, who
gave his word to the Moroccan authorities that the Commission would be fully committed to the
negotiations, would appear to suggest that Mr Smidt is not the best person to carry these talks into their
next round.