WRITTEN QUESTION E-1831/01 by Lousewies van der Laan (ELDR) to the Commission. Closing the Borsele nuclear plant in the Netherlands.
Date: 2001-06-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Netherlands, cessation of trading, energy policy, nuclear power station

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WRITTEN QUESTION E-1831/01

by Lousewies van der Laan (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Closing the Borsele nuclear plant in the Netherlands

(22 June 2001)

The Dutch newspaper the Volkskrant wrote on 1 June 2001 that the Energy Commissioner, Mrs de
Palacio, at a meeting in Arnhem the day before, had said: (cid:145)The earlier closure of nuclear plants as envisaged
by the Dutch government was not a good idea.(cid:146) She was quoted as saying that meeting the Kyoto
requirements would not be possible without nuclear energy. These statements were also repeated in other
media.

1.

Does the Commissioner confirm having made these statements?

Is the Commissioner aware of the environmental drawbacks of nuclear energy compared to other

2.
forms of energy generation based on non-fossil fuels?

Is the Commissioner aware of the Dutch Government(cid:146)s efforts to promote the use of various forms

3.
of non-fossil fuel energy, other than nuclear energy?

Can the Commissioner provide any concrete and convincing evidence that the Dutch Government(cid:146)s

4.
present policy is endangering meeting its Kyoto obligations?

If not, lacking the evidence and necessity, what motivated her to promote the narrow interest of the

5.
nuclear industry in such an obvious way?

Does the Commissioner agree that the choice of how (as opposed to if) to meet its Kyoto obligations

6.
is the prerogative of the Dutch Government?

7. What Treaty base can the Commissioner provide for her interference in Dutch energy policy?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(21 September 2001)

The statement made by Vice President of the Commission on the closure of nuclear plants should be seen
in the context of the Green Paper (cid:145)Towards a European strategy for the security of energy supply (1)(cid:146)and the
Community commitments aimed at addressing climate change.

The Vice-President is well aware of the environmental benefits of energy generation by non-fossil fuels and,
in particular, the need to address the issue of the long-term management of nuclear wastes. Under her
political authority, renewable energy sources have, for the first time, been supported through the adoption
of a specific legislative instrument (Directive on the promotion of electricity produced from renewable
energy sources in the internal electricity market) already approved by Council and Parliament. However,
she is also aware of the practical limitations on the contribution non-fossil fuels are likely to make in the
early decades of this century.

The Vice-President is also aware of the Dutch Government(cid:146)s efforts to promote the use of various forms of
non-fossil fuel energy. She very much welcomes these efforts that are in line with the strategy as proposed
by the Green Paper.

However, as pointed out in the Green Paper, closure of nuclear plants will make it even more difficult for
the Community to achieve its commitments, including those made at Kyoto, regarding climate change.
Indeed, on the basis of current trends, CO2 emissions are expected to continue to grow. Beyond 2010,
even greater efforts will have to be made to reduce energy demand growth and to favour energy sources
that do not emit greenhouse gases. Nuclear is such a source.

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By stating these fact, the Vice President is not promoting the narrow interests of the nuclear industry. She
is highlighting the difficult challenges concerning energy and environment that the Community now faces,
under the global strategic approach enshrined in the Commission(cid:146)s Green Paper in order to tackle the issue
of the Union(cid:146)s security of supply and energy prime stability in a comprehensive and objective manner.

While clearly recognising that the choice of energy sources is the responsibility of each individual Member
State, there is a Community responsibility to meet its international obligations regarding climate change.
Moreover, it is in the interest of the Community to reduce its dependency on external energy sources. In
making clear this position, the Vice President did not interfere in Dutch energy policy.

(1) COM(2000) 769 final.

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WRITTEN QUESTION E-1837/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: EU-Albania Association Agreement

(26 June 2001)

The Commission has adopted a report on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and
Albania, which is to be submitted to the Council for approval. In order to have a positive effect on stability
and peace in the country and the region, an Association Agreement with Albania must place emphasis on
democratisation and security in Albania and ensure that the rights of its minority communities are
protected.

Will the Commission, therefore, say:

1. what guarantees the Albanian Government has provided to ensure that there is no repetition of events
adversely affecting the Greek minority such as those which occurred during last year(cid:146)s local elections
(which were pointed out by international organisations and independent observers)), and

2. what measures Albania has committed itself to in order to ensure that the minority community can

pursue education without hindrance?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2001)

The future Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the Union and Albania will place emphasis
on essential political criteria such as democracy, rule of law, human rights and the protection of minority
rights.

The Albanian Government has committed itself to take all possible steps to try to prevent a repeat of
events such as those experienced in certain areas with strong Greek minority presence during the local
elections of October 2000. The fact that the first round of the Albanian Parliamentary elections on 24 June
2001 has taken place without particular incidents in these areas is a positive sign.

The Commission understands that Albania has already taken steps to make it possible for members of the
national minorities to receive education in their mother tongue within the so-called (cid:145)minority zones(cid:146).
During discussions in the framework of the Union/Albania High Level Steering Group in May 2001, the
Albanian Government stressed its intention gradually to complete the legal
framework for minority
protection and to abolish the concept of (cid:145)minority zones(cid:146). These steps will certainly help enhance the
education possibilities for national minorities in Albania. The Commission will closely follow devel-
opments in this sensitive field.