WRITTEN QUESTION E-1798/01 by Isidoro Sánchez García (ELDR) to the Commission. Investigation concerning the TUI/Neckermann/T-Online (Internet Dutch Telecom) joint venture.
Date: 2001-06-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Internet, economic concentration, merger control, travel agency

11.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 350 E/227

Article 4 of Directive 92/46/EEC lays down the Community health provisions governing the production
and marketing of raw milk for direct consumption.

Is it the Commission(cid:146)s view that Article 4 also lays down the Community health provisions governing the
production and marketing of milk-based products derived from raw milk, or is it the Commission(cid:146)s view
that Article 4 has a bearing on the interpretation of the health provisions governing the production and
marketing of milk-based products derived from raw milk contained in Article 7 of Directive 92/46/EEC?

If it is not the Commission(cid:146)s view that Article 4 has a bearing on the interpretation of Article 7 of Directive
92/46/EEC, can the Commission explain why it has not ensured that Denmark has correctly implemented
Directive 92/46/EEC?

(1) Written answer of 15 May 2001.
(2) OJ L 268, 14.9.1992, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(5 July 2001)

Article 4 of Council Directive 92/46/EEC of 16 June 1992 laying down the health rules for the production
and placing on the market of raw milk, heat-treated milk and milk-based products actually refers only to
the placing on the market of raw milk for human consumption.

Article 7 of the same Directive lays down the conditions for the production and placing on the market of
milk-based products.

Under the terms of Article 7 (A. 9), milk-based products must have undergone heat treatment during the
manufacturing process or be made from products that have undergone heat treatment or involve hygiene
specifications that are sufficient to meet the guaranteed hygiene criteria for all finished products.

The Commission interprets this provision to mean that it is the responsibility of the Member State in
which the product is manufactured to decide whether hygiene specifications are sufficient.

It follows from this that if Denmark concludes that the use of raw milk does not offer sufficient hygiene
guarantees, it is entitled to prohibit the production and placing on the market of milk-based products
manufactured in its territory that have not undergone heat treatment.

(2001/C 350 E/256)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1798/01

by Isidoro SÆnchez Garc(cid:237)a (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 June 2001)

Subject: Investigation concerning the TUI/Neckermann/T-Online (Internet Dutch Telecom) joint venture

It is no secret that the Commission is investigating the joint venture which has been set up by the two
German holiday companies (TUI and Neckermann) and the company T-Online (a subsidiary of Internet
Dutch Telecom) for the purpose of selling package tours via the Internet.

In view of the significance of TUI and Neckermann to the European tourist industry (particularly in
Germany and Spain), could the Commission provide information regarding the current state of
its
negotiations and the impact which the activities of the new company are having?

C 350 E/228

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(30 July 2001)

The concentration was notified to the Commission on 19 March 2001. It concerned the proposed creation
of a jointly-controlled online-travel agency by T-Online International AG (T-Online) and the German tour
operators TUI Group GmbH (TUI) and C & N Touristic AG (C & N).

The Commission opened a second phase investigation on 8 May 2001 primarily based on concerns that
the vertical combination of T-Online(cid:146)s high market shares in the internet services provider (ISP) and
internet portal markets with TUI/C & N(cid:146)s strong positions in the package holiday market would result in
Newco becoming dominant in the German online-travel agency market.

The notification was withdrawn on 5 June 2001. T-Online intends instead to create a sole-controlled
in which TUI and C & N will each acquire a 12,45 % non-controlling stake. This
online-travel agency,
operation will thus not constitute a concentration under the Merger Regulation (Council Regulation (EC)
No 1310/97 of 30 June 1997 amending Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 on the control of concentrations
between undertakings (1)). It will, however, be subject to scrutiny under Articles 81 and 82 (ex Articles 85
and 86) of the EC Treaty and the equivalent provisions under German competition law.

(1) OJ L 180, 9.7.1997.

(2001/C 350 E/257)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1803/01

by Maj Theorin (PSE) to the Commission

(13 June 2001)

Subject: Kurds in Turkey

Years of violent conflict between the Turkish military and the Kurdish PKK has driven more than 560 000
villagers of mainly Kurdish origin away from their homes in the impoverished South East region of
Turkey. The systematic destruction of over 3 500 villages in this region has rendered repatriation a very
difficult task, and a majority of the displaced families now live in squalid conditions and extreme poverty
in the outskirts of cities.

What is the Commission doing to improve the situation of the displaced Kurds in Turkey and to further
develop this particular region?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(4 July 2001)

The Accession Partnership for Turkey was adopted by the Union on 8 March 2001 (1). This document sets
out the priorities for the progress Turkey needs to make on political and economic issues in advance of
accession to the Union. Reducing the disparities between different regions is specified as a priority that
should be addressed in the short-term. Lifting the state of emergency in the South East region of Turkey is
also specified, as a medium term priority.

As part of the Union(cid:146)s financial assistance to Turkey, the Commission is financing a regional development
programme in the South East of the country, in the (cid:145)GAP(cid:146) region. € 43,5 million has been made available
for this project. Overall objectives of the programme are to sustain economic growth, to alleviate regional
disparities, to increase productivity and employment capacity in the region. Specific actions will target
increasing employment opportunities through assistance to local Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
(SMEs), supporting income generating activities for the rural population, renovating and restoring
important cultural heritage sites, promoting their cultural and touristic potential, and improving the
environmental conditions in the region.

(1) OJ L 85, 24.3.2001.