WRITTEN QUESTION P-1445/01 by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) to the Commission. Quebec agreement and relations between the EU and Latin America.
Date: 2001-05-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: America, agreement (EU), free-trade agreement, trading operation

20.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 364 E/113

Once the Commission approves the OP or SPD, it is the responsibility of the competent authorities to
implement it. According to the Structural Funds regulations (1), the selection of projects is within the
discretion of
those projects with
Community legislation and policies.

they have to ensure compliance of

those authorities. However,

As far as the refuse-derived fuel plant in Gallicano (Lucca) is concerned, the regional authorities responsible
for Objective 5b during the 1994-1999 programming period, provide evidence that the project was
selected in conformity with the criteria for Measure 6.1 of the SPD (cid:145)Interventi per l(cid:146)organizzazione
della raccolta, recupero ed innocuizzazione dei rifiuti di risulta da attivit(cid:224) produttive(cid:146).

Moreover, it appears that this plant fits with the waste management plan, which has been established in
conformity with Community directives and policy on waste, and it has been duly authorised as required by
Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975 on waste (2).

Given the plant owner(cid:146)s request to increase the capacity above 100 tons/day, the project is currently
impact assessment in conformity with Council Directive 85/337/EC of
undergoing an environmental
27 June 1985 on the assessment of
the effects of certain public and private projects on the
environnment (3), as modified by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (4).

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.
(2) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975.
(3) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
(4) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(2001/C 364 E/123)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1445/01

by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) to the Commission

(11 May 2001)

Subject: Quebec agreement and relations between the EU and Latin America

A few days ago an agreement was signed in Quebec for the purpose of setting up a huge free-trade
area encompassing all the countries of the American continent.

Could the Commission say what effect the agreement may have on the political and trade relations
between the European Union and America?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(10 July 2001)

The Quebec Summit of the Americas of April 2001 did not lead to an acceleration of the integration
process of the Americas, but rather confirmed the Declaration made by the Trade Ministers of 34 countries
participating in the negotiations of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) at their meeting in Buenos
Aires in April 2001 to ensure that negotiations of the FTAA Agreement are concluded no later than
January 2005 and that the Agreement enters into force no later than December 2005.

The FTAA negotiations aim to further liberalise trade within the Western hemisphere by reducing barriers
to trade and investment in order to generate economic growth and prosperity in the region. The Buenos
Aires Ministerial Declaration emphasises the commitment of the participating countries to an open and
balanced trading system and prevention of further barriers to trade and investment to countries outside the
Western Hemisphere.

The Commission generally is not opposed to regional
initiatives which aim to achieve further trade
liberalisation as long as they comply with the internationally agreed rules of the World Trade Organisation,
are mutually supportive to the global trading system and do not lead to the imposition of any new barriers
to trade with other countries.

C 364 E/114

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.12.2001

Given the current state of play of the FTAA negotiations, no in-depth analysis of the various elements is
currently possible making it difficult to estimate the likely effects on trade between the Community and the
countries of the future FTAA.

(2001/C 364 E/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1447/01

by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission

(11 May 2001)

Subject: Cross-border banking charges after implementation of the euro

Can the Commission tell us how it intends to deal with the problem that cross-border banking charges are
likely to remain high even when euros have fully replaced national currencies? How does it intend to avoid
banks substituting transaction charges for lost currency conversion revenue?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(26 July 2001)

On 3 April 2001 the Commission adopted a communication on the preparations for the introduction of
euro notes and coins (1). This report includes a description of the measures currently being taken to
establish a euro payments area (2).

The Commission(cid:146)s conclusion regarding this matter is quite unambiguous:

An urgent effort is (cid:133) needed to bring about the establishment of a euro payments area. The
Commission will consider using all the instruments at its disposal and will take all the steps necessary
to ensure that the costs of cross-border transactions are brought more closely into line with the costs
of domestic transactions on 1 January 2002.

The Commission shares the concern expressed by the Honourable Member. It takes the view that all
payments within the euro zone should receive similar treatment, be they domestic or cross-border
payments. That is why it is examining the measures which could be taken to bring the charges for cross-
border transactions closer into line with those of strictly domestic transactions.

(1) COM(2001) 190 final.
(2) Page 43 of the report.

(2001/C 364 E/125)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1448/01

by Mogens Camre (UEN) to the Commission

(17 May 2001)

Subject: Translation of regulations concerning the transport of dangerous goods

The new international regulations concerning the transport of dangerous goods have not yet been
translated into Danish.

In Denmark, the regulations are only available in English. This makes it impossible for many Danish
drivers to follow these regulations and for the police to monitor compliance with the regulations.

It is even harder for Danes to familiarise themselves with the regulations concerning rail transport since
these are only available in French, a language only few Danes speak.

Would the Commission ensure that the new regulations concerning the transport of dangerous goods are
translated into Danish by the date on which they are scheduled to come into force?