WRITTEN QUESTION E-1916/01 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Proceedings against dumping-ground in Torreblanca (Fuengirola, Spain).
Date: 2001-06-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, offence, unauthorised dumping, waste management

14.2.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 40 E/139

1998 to € 264 million in 1999 (+ 17 %) and € 368 million in 2000 (+ 40 % compared to 1999). This
produced a regular trade surplus for the Community (€ 113 million in 2000), however bilateral trade
represented only 0,01 % of Community global foreign trade. Community exports rose to € 241 million in
2000, mainly manufactured goods (16 %), and agriculture products (15 %, amounting to € 36 million),
whereas Community imports amounted to € 127 million, essentially iron and steel (5,8 %), textile products
(2,2 %) and agriculture products (2.2 %).

Community imports of agricultural products from Armenia remained modest over the period: € 2 million
in 1997, € 1 million in 1998, € 1 million in 1999, € 3 million in 2000. This can be attributed in part to
the current difficulties of Armenian agriculture, as drought in 2000 entailed the loss of one third of the
grain crop and the performance of the agricultural sector stagnated.

The current structure of bilateral trade could be improved if Armenia would manage to diversify its export
potential. This entails restructuring agriculture as well as industry and fostering foreign investment in the
country. The Commission is helping Armenia to reform its legal and regulatory framework, in particular
through the Tacis Armenia-Union Policy and Legal Advice Centre, which has produced substantial work
related to eventual accession of Armenia to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and which is
concentrating more and more on Community/Armenia legislative approximation.

The Cooperation Committee that monitors PCA implementation highlighted trade issues and the business
climate among 24 points for further work. The Cooperation Committee meeting of 15 June 2001 has
taken stock of Armenia(cid:146)s progress in amending its trade and investment legislation, however weak
enforcement remains the central, unresolved issue. Community investors still face considerable problems
such as legal and administrative barriers,
illegal competition, unreliable banking system, discriminative
government acts, corruption. Legal uncertainty remains with regard to the protection of investments and
relevant provisions related to taxation and customs regulations.

The Commission has also encouraged Armenia to pursue further legislative approximation in the field of
intellectual property rights, as this is essential to attracting foreign investment. According to the PCA,
Armenia is committed by the end of the year 2002 to providing a level of protection similar to that
provided by the Community and to accede to a number of international conventions.

In addition, the Commission is ready to support other trade promoting measures such as the business
forum that Armenia intends to organise next year. As regards the integration of Armenia internationally,
the progress of negotiations for Armenia(cid:146)s accession to the WTO currently near completion is a very
positive development.

The Commission has no indication regarding most favoured nations (MFN) incompatible measures in
Armenian trade. Regarding special trade preferences given to other Independent States, the Commission
was informed that they are no longer applicable.

There are currently no plans to modify existing contractual relations between Armenia and the Union.

(2002/C 40 E/148)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1916/01

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

(28 June 2001)

Subject: Proceedings against dumping-ground in Torreblanca (Fuengirola, Spain)

The Spanish environment ministry has said that it is not aware of the proceedings taken out by the
Commission against the dumping-ground in Torreblanca (Fuengirola, Spain).

C 40 E/140

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.2.2002

The uncertainty surrounding the matter has been heightened by recent reports in the local press stating
that the Commission had brought the dossier opened in 1997 against the Torreblanca dumping-ground
before the European Court of Justice, on the grounds of non-compliance with the EU directive on waste.

Can the Commission provide information on the present state of affairs, with a view to clarifying whether
the proceedings initiated by it are still under way or whether the case is now considered closed following
the sealing of the dumping-ground?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 2001)

illegal Spanish landfill sites,
The Commission has instituted infringement proceedings against several
including that at Torreblanca (Malaga). Having verified that these dumps were failing to comply with the
Directive on waste, the Commission decided to bring the case before the Court of Justice.

The latest information sent by the Spanish authorities on the Torreblanca landfill site indicates that the site
has been sealed, but that part of the sealed area is still being used cyclically for the transfer of solid waste
to the Casares processing plant.

The Commission has not been informed that the (cid:145)cyclic situation(cid:146) described has come to an end in the
meantime. Accordingly, and not having received any new information from the Spanish authorities, the
Commission regards that part of the sealed landfill site as still containing waste even if its final destination
is the Casares processing centre.

(2002/C 40 E/149)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1920/01

by William Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 June 2001)

Subject: Human rights in Guatemala

In May 2000 the European Parliament supported a motion which called on the Commission to (cid:145)strengthen
EU programmes intended to help eradicate human rights abuses and implement the peace agreements(cid:146) in
Guatemala. What action has been taken since then to achieve this strengthening, and are the measures to
support the work of human rights in Guatemala continuing?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2001)

The co-operation between the Commission and Guatemala is aimed to give adequate support to the peace
process and to improve respect of human rights. As a matter of fact, since 1996, the Commission has
sustained the civil society and State organisations in Guatemala with the objective to contribute to the
reconciliation process of this country. Some examples of the Union initiatives are the reintegration of ex-
combatants of civil war, the institutional support offered to the state body for the co-ordination of Peace
Accords (SEPAZ), the assistance given to the constitution of a civil police force, or the development of a
national land register.

During the last months, the Union has been reinforcing this action by defining with the Guatemalan
authorities a (cid:145)Memorandum of Understanding(cid:146), signed jointly on 26 March 2001, which establishes
guidelines for co-operation during 2000-2006, with € 93 million of additional funds. This document,
while focusing on four main sectors including the consolidation and modernisation of the rule of law, the
decentralisation of the state, bolstering civil society as well as combating poverty, clearly reaffirms a
mutual commitment to democracy and the respect for human rights.

Under this framework, the Commission is preparing a programme to improve the justice system in
Guatemala as well as an initiative aimed at strengthening the civil society. Furthermore, the Union is