WRITTEN QUESTION E-1913/01 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Joint fisheries undertakings in Tunisian fishing-grounds.
Date: 2001-06-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Tunisia, common fisheries policy, fishing agreement, fishing industry, mixed-ownership company, negotiation of an agreement (EU)

20.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 364 E/221

it wishes to apply for EU membership. EU-
The Russian Federation has given no indication that
Russia relations are based on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement which entered into force on
1 December 1997. One of
its objectives is to provide an appropriate framework for the gradual
integration of Russia and a wider area of cooperation in Europe.

The Treaties do not envisage the possibility of EU membership for regions forming part of sovereign third
countries. For that reason, the Commission does not intend carrying out a study into this possibility.

(2001/C 364 E/241)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1910/01

by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 June 2001)

Subject: Discrimination

Is the Commission willing to abolish all age limits on Union territory which constitute discrimination on
the grounds of age and are contrary to Article 13 of the EC Treaty?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(26 July 2001)

that

The Commission recalls
the Council adopted on 27 November 2000 Directive 2000/78/EC
establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (1). This Directive
prohibits discrimination on grounds of, inter alia, age,
including the use of age limits which are not
objectively and reasonably justified by a legitimate aim, including legitimate employment policy, labour
market and vocational training objectives, and if the means of achieving that aim are not appropriate and
necessary.

The Member States have until 2 December 2003 to transpose the requirements of the Directive into
national law. In order to take account of particular conditions, Member States may, if necessary, have an
additional period of three years from 2 December 2003 to implement the provisions of the Directive on
age and disability discrimination. Any Member State which chooses to use this option shall inform the
Commission forthwith and shall report annually to the Commission on the steps it is taking to tackle age
and disability discrimination and on the progress it is making towards implementation.

As regards age limits for competitions for recruitment to the Commission, the Commission would refer the
Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-1512/01 by Mrs Raschhofer (2).

(1) OJ L 303, 2.12.2000.
(2) See p. 132.

(2001/C 364 E/242)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1913/01

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Joint fisheries undertakings in Tunisian fishing-grounds

(28 June 2001)

Following the meeting in Madrid between the Tunisian ambassador to Spain and the mayor of Algeciras
(Andalusia),
it emerges that Tunisia is willing to consider all proposals for cooperation between
undertakings which will enable Spanish vessels to fish in its waters.

The facilities offered by the Tunisian government to Spanish vessel-owners and fishermen for the creation
of joint undertakings include: full tax exemption for the first ten years of activity; state subsidies going up

C 364 E/222

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.12.2001

to 30 % of initial investment; advantages as regards fuel prices and harbour taxes; and the possibility of
marketing 100 % of catch externally. 66 % of the joint undertakings(cid:146) capital would be Spanish and the rest
Tunisian.

To what extent would the Commission be willing to ratify an agreement of this nature and provide the
conditions to allow it to take effect, with a view to finding an alternative to the present difficult
confronting Spain(cid:146)s fishermen?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2001)

The Commission is very conscious of the difficult situation of many Community fishermen.

Neither Tunisia nor any of the Member States have recently (in the last few years) approached the
Commission to convey an interest in an eventual fisheries agreement between the Community and Tunisia.
The Commission would also like to remind the Honourable Member that
the Council adopted on
5 February 1979 (1) a set of complementary directives for the Commission with a view to negotiating
a fisheries agreement with Tunisia.

In case that such interest in a potential agreement was put forward to the Commission by any concerned
party, the Commission might consider launching exploratory contacts with Tunisia as a preliminary step to
formal negotiations. In parallel, the Commission might also propose to the Council an update of the 1979
negotiating directives to better reflect present circumstances.

(1) No: 4600/79, 2.2.1979.

(2001/C 364 E/243)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1918/01

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 June 2001)

Subject: Results of Community aid for establishment of joint fisheries undertakings

At the November 1999 meeeting of the EU fisheries ministers, a number of aids were agreed for the
establishment of joint undertakings, to be equivalent to 80 % of the total granted in breaking-up aids. It was
also agreed that joint undertakings would receive the same treatment both within and outside agreements
with third countries.

This subject is of particular importance in view of the recent problems of the fisheries sector in the
Community, given that the establishment of joint undertakings could represent a solution for the industry.

Can the Commission supply the relevant statistics for the Community fisheries industry for the period
since the fisheries ministers(cid:146) decision of November 1999 concerning joint undertakings? Can it also state
what developments on this front are likely in the immediate future, with a view to a possible new
approach for the EU(cid:146)s fisheries sector and given that sector(cid:146)s particular sensitivity?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2001)

On 17 December 1999 the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying
down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries
sector (1), which amended the conditions for the setting up of joint enterprises as from 1 January 2000.