WRITTEN QUESTION E-0692/01 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Operation of projects funded by 2nd CSF.
Date: 2001-03-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community support framework, EU control, EU financing, water treatment

C 235 E/238

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.8.2001

It is important to know whether it is permissible in other Member States to demand specific authorisation
to carry out aerial surveys in addition to the general authorisation allowing planes to be flown with
a relevant license.

If the answer to questions 1 or 2 is in the affirmative, does the Commission intend to introduce
3.
a change in the law by the means available to it, so that the obligations referred to under paragraphs 1 or
2 may be amended or abolished for the benefit of German companies?

Respect for the fundamental freedom to provide services in accordance with Article 49 of the EC Treaty
must be the main concern in this context. In particular, German companies must be able to carry out
aerial survey work without restrictive conditions.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2001)

The Commission has no details of the calls for tenders or the national legislation to which the Honourable
Member refers, nor any other information which might confirm or otherwise the statements made in the
Written Question. If the Honourable Member were to have copies of these documents or any other more
detailed information, the Commission would be obliged if she would forward them so that it can approach
the Member States concerned in possession of the minimum amount of information which any such
approach requires if it is to lead rapidly to concrete and conclusive results. It would also be important to
clarify whether the alleged discrimination concerns German companies alone or extends to cover any
company established in another Member State.

What the Commission can say at this stage is that, as a general rule, the requirement in a public
procurement procedure to provide proof of establishment within the meaning of the EC Treaty in the
Member State of the awarding authority would constitute a violation of the principles and general rules of
the EC Treaty and, more particularly, of the rules on the freedom to provide services.

The issue of whether it is legitimate to demand specific authorisation to overfly national territory for the
purposes of providing aerial survey services seems to be more complex, as it touches on aspects of public
safety, public policy and protection of the essential
interests of the Member State concerned. More
information is needed before this matter can be examined.

(2001/C 235 E/281)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0692/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Operation of projects funded by 2nd CSF

(8 March 2001)

The following projects were carried out under the 2nd Community Support Framework in the regions of:

(a) Oinofyta:

(1) biological treatment of urban waste,

(2) biological treatment of waste from industrial plants in the region;

(b) Skhimatarion:

(1) biological treatment of urban waste,

(2) biological treatment of waste from industrial plants in the region.

According to my information, these installations, particularly those involving the treatment of industrial
waste, do not operate owing to the cost involved unless an inspection is imminent.

21.8.2001

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 235 E/239

Will the Commission therefore say how much has been spent on all the above projects?

Can it confirm that the above installations operate as they should?

Is it possible for the Commission to carry out spot checks?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 2001)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2001/C 235 E/282)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0700/01

by Eurig Wyn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(8 March 2001)

Subject: UK involvement in the bombing of Baghdad

Will the Commission be supporting UK involvement in the bombing of Baghdad?

Would the Commission not agree that the citizens of Iraq have already suffered enough following the
economic embargo, and that further air attacks by the USA and Britain will only add to their suffering, and
that in the name of democracy and human rights these attacks should be condemned?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(4 April 2001)

The recent joint American and British air raids against military installations in Iraq have been discussed
both in the Parliament and the Council. Although opinions may vary on this allied military intervention,
there is general consensus that the present situation in Iraq is due to the Iraqi Government(cid:146)s non-
compliance with a number of United Nations Security Council resolutions. According to these, Iraq should
dispose of all weapons of mass destruction and allow for United Nations verification, monitoring and
inspection of this process. Through its refusal to cooperate with the United Nations inspectors, the Iraqi
Government prolongs the economic embargo, and therefore bears the responsibility for the continuing
suffering of the Iraqi people.

The Commission regrets the loss of human life in Iraq. However, it must be borne in mind that the regime
through its policy of non-cooperation with the United Nations, bears the full
of Saddam Hussein,
responsibility for suffering and deaths which occur daily in Iraq. Under the oil-for-food programme, Iraq
has more than enough funds for relieving the humanitarian situation, but has not done so.

Any solution to the present state of affairs must be found within the United Nations framework of
negotiations. In this context, the Commission therefore welcomes the resumption of talks at the end
of February 2001 between the United Nations and the Iraqi Government and hopes for a positive outcome
that will eventually lead to the improvement of the humanitarian situation in Iraq.

Nonetheless, the Commission is concerned about the Iraqi people(cid:146)s suffering and is doing everything
possible within its mandate and with the resources available to ease the situation. Since the Gulf War in
1991, the Community has been the major donor of humanitarian aid to Iraq, contribution over € 250
million. For the last two years, the Commission has provided assistance amounting to € 8 and € 10 million
respectively. For 2001 the amount will be similar.