WRITTEN QUESTION E-1796/01 by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Licensing of radio stations and measures to guarantee pluralism regarding the mass media.
Date: 2001-06-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, application of EU law, commercial media, communications policy, pluralism in the media, trade licence, waveband

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20.12.2001

concerns two Council Directives, adopted in 1983: Directive 83/182/EEC of 28 March 1983, concerning
tax exemptions for certain means of
temporarily imported into one Member State from
another (1), and Directive 83/183/EEC of 28 March 1983, concerning tax exemptions applicable to
permanent imports from one Member State to another of the personal property of individuals (1), including
passenger cars. Approximation of vehicle taxation levels has proven very difficult to achieve due to the
unanimity rule required for decisions on fiscal matters.

transport

The Commission presented a Proposal for a Council Directive (2) in 1998, with the overall objective of
bringing the tax treatment of vehicles, which accompany private individuals moving from one Member
State to another, more in line with the concept and principles of the single Market. The Proposal also
intended to update the provisions of the two Council Directives mentioned above and to repeal and
replace them by a single, consolidated Directive. Situations such as double payment of registration tax, or
payment of excessive amounts of vehicle taxes, which have been the subject of repeated complaints by
citizens or of judgements by the Court of Justice were also addressed in this Proposal. Member States only
discussed the Proposal once, in February 1999, and it remains on the Council(cid:146)s table. The Parliament gave
its favourable opinion on the Proposal in June 1999.

The Commission intends to present a Communication on vehicle taxation before the end of this year, or
early in 2002. This will launch a discussion, with Member States and other Community Institutions, on
future options for action at Community and national levels. The Commission will wait until the outcome
of
this discussion is known, before taking any initiative in the area of vehicle taxation. The
Communication will, therefore, not be accompanied by any legal proposal.

Concerning the general guidelines of the Communication, the Commission is pleased to inform the
Honourable Member that they will address specific fiscal and environmental aspects of vehicle taxation.
Other vehicle taxation related issues, such as double payment, or non-refund, of registration tax paid when
private motor vehicles are moved permanently to another Member State and the orientations taken by the
Court of Justice in its jurisprudence, will be taken into account.

(1) OJ L 105, 23.4.1983.
(2) OJ C 108, 7.4.1998.

(2001/C 364 E/228)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1796/01

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 June 2001)

Subject: Licensing of radio stations and measures to guarantee pluralism regarding the mass media

The Greek Government has adopted legislation regarding the licensing of radio stations on the basis of
questionable studies, with the result that, on grounds of public policy, licences have been issued for only
28 wavebands and withheld from radio stations enjoying high ratings. This has resulted in a stalemate and
has proved particularly harmful to a large number of radio stations, to say nothing of infringing the
principle of free and pluralist mass media and Article 6 of the TEU.

According to the findings of a specialist working party which were submitted to the Greek parliament, it is
possible for 39 wavebands to operate in Attiki. Accordingly the Greek Government was acting illegally by
failing to respect the democratic and social rights of the Greek public.

In view of this selective licensing of radio stations and the flagrant violation of fundamental rights which
has occurred:

1. Are not the Member States expressly required to ensure respect for, and protection of the above
principles, in particular that of media plurality? To what extent is this really being achieved in the
light of developments such as the above?

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2. Have steps been taken to ensure that Greek framework legislation regarding broadcasting is in line

with Community legislation and the provisions of the Treaties?

3. What action will the Commission take to bring to an end the illegal tactics being followed by the

national broadcasting authority in revoking licences and undermining media plurality?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(27 July 2001)

The Commission recently received a complaint regarding the system of licensing of radio stations in the
Attica basin. The Commission is in the course of examining this complaint and has asked the Greek
authorities to provide them with additional information. Since the case presents a rather complex situation,
it is too early to say yet whether the actions taken by the Greek government are consistent or not with
European law. The Commission attaches great importance to the creation of a single broadcasting market
within the Community and will pay due attention to this case.

(2001/C 364 E/229)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1800/01

by Bernard Poignant (PSE) to the Commission

(19 June 2001)

Subject: Scientific studies into the unintentional catching of marine mammals

Every year, the general public becomes incensed when it sees dolphins stranded on European beaches.
Most times, if not every time, their demise is caused by the use of pelagic trawls.

Figures abound: some people speak of thousands of dolphins stranded every year, 80 % of which present
injuries caused by pelagic trawls.

Have any scientific studies been drawn up which would confirm those figures? If not, does the
Commission intend to commission such studies and finance them?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(30 July 2001)

The Commission is well aware of the problem of incidental catches of cetaceans in fisheries activities.
Indeed, the Commission has financially supported several research projects and studies, tackling the issue
of interaction among marine mammals (mainly cetaceans) and fishing activities, which led to illumination
of the perceived problems.

Nonetheless, the Commission is unable to find any authoritative text which indicates that 80 % of stranded
dolphins have been caused by pelagic trawl. If, however, such a reference exists the Commission would be
grateful to be made aware of it.

The Commission is always open to support scientific investigation that could further enlighten the matter.
In particular, research proposals on cetaceans, provided that the science is good, could be eligible within
the Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources Programme, key action 5 (cid:145)Sustainable Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry, and Integrated Development of Rural Areas including Mountain Areas(cid:146), of the Fifth
framework programme for Research and Technological Development of
the Community (http://
www.cordis.lu/life/). The deadline for last call for proposals is 18 October 2001.

Research proposals in relation to marine biodiversity loss, including cetaceans, could also be considered
within the Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development Programme, key action 3 (cid:145)Sustainable
Mar(cid:237)ne Ecosystems(cid:146) as well as within the Infrastructure action line of the same Programme (Environment
and Sustainable development)(http://www.cordis.lu/fp5/src/calls.htm).