WRITTEN QUESTION E-1006/01 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission. Land-use planning around Community airports.
Date: 2001-03-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, airport, noise pollution, noise protection, town and country planning

C 318 E/178

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.11.2001

As indicated in reply to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s Question E-0822/01 (1), the budget of the Community
does not contain provision for the funding of measures destined to protect the world cultural heritage.
There are at present no plans by the Community to create a special fund to buy cultural treasures
threatened with destruction.

(1) OJ C 261 E, 18.9.2001.

(2001/C 318 E/192)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1005/01

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Land-use planning around Community airports

Will the Commission say to what extent it sees the establishment of guidelines for land-use planning
around airports,
(as referred to in its Communication on Air Transport and the Environment of
1 December 1999), as a responsible and decisive step forward in addressing the issue of aircraft noise
around Community airports?

(2001/C 318 E/193)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1006/01

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Land-use planning around Community airports

With reference to its Communication on Air Transport and the Environment (1 December 1999) and the
resolution adopted by the European Parliament on that Communication (7 September 2000), will the
Commission state when, precisely, it intends to publish its report on guidelines for best practice in land-
use planning around Community airports? Will
it ensure broad consultation when conducting this
investigation, and will it say which stakeholders will be approached?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-1005/01 and E-1006/01
given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(18 June 2001)

The Commission considers appropriate rules for the use of land around Community airports as an
important element for a policy aimed at protecting people living in the vicinity of airports from the impact
of aircraft noise without unduly affecting the economics of air transport operations.

At the same time, however, the Commission fully recognises the prerogatives of Member States and
competent local authorities for rule making and concrete decisions in this field. It does not intend to
interfere with the existing allocation of responsibilities.

However, given the importance decisions on the use of land around airports may have for meeting the
objective of improving the noise situation in terms of reducing the number of people seriously impacted
by aircraft noise, the Commission intends to create a group of experts involving members with direct
responsibilities in this field in order to identify best practices in this field. The Commission hopes that the
work of this group will be useful for establishing recommendations on land-use rules which will be
oriented towards improving the balance between environmental, economic and social concerns whilst
respecting the existing allocation of responsibilities.

13.11.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 318 E/179

The Commission is not in the position to indicate at this moment of time a precise time-table for
publishing a report.

The Commission will ensure broad consultation and approach all stakeholders with a legitimate interest in
this matter.

Information resulting from the implementation of other Community instruments, such as the proposed
Directive relating to the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise (1), may provide useful input
to this group.

(1) OJ C 337 E, 28.11.2000.

(2001/C 318 E/194)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1007/01

by Yasmine Boudjenah (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Eurobarometer

The latest Eurobarometer results are useful for assessing trends in public opinion on a range of EU issues.
Many of the questions concern the single currency, the employment situation, EU enlargement and the
common foreign policy. The Commission regularly makes changes or adjustments to the questions asked.

Would the Commission be prepared to add a question, one that could become a key indicator, on
recognition of the right of all foreigners (Community and non-Community) to vote in local and European
elections? The replies, and the trend revealed by them, could help with efforts to restart the campaign for
the right of foreign residents to vote, in accordance with the 1992 Council of Europe recommendation.

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(7 June 2001)

As the Honourable Member is aware, Community law (Article 19 (formerly Article 8b) of the EC Treaty)
guarantees for citizens of the Union the right to vote in their Member State of residence in municipal
elections and in elections to the European Parliament.

Regarding third-country nationals, the Commission(cid:146)s information is not necessarily up to date because
Member States are not under an obligation to notify it of amendments to their electoral legislation unless
they concern citizens of the Union. Subject to that proviso, it can provide the following information:
Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden grant the right to vote to third-country nationals;
Portugal and the United Kingdom also grant the right to vote, but only to certain foreigners. In France and
Belgium the question of whether or not to extend the right to vote to third-country nationals is under
discussion.

Since its resources are limited, the Commission allocates the bulk of its expenditure on surveys to matters
coming within its jurisdiction. In view of the fact that the voting right of third-country nationals falls
within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Member States, it is not considering adding questions on this topic
to the Eurobarometer in the near future.

Nevertheless, the Eurobarometer framework contract administered by the Commission is open to all
institutions of the European Union, so that the European Parliament is entitled to suggest adding questions
on this or other topics, at its expense and on its responsibility.