WRITTEN QUESTION E-2067/01 by Sir Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Erika II Package — Establishing a COPE Fund.
Date: 2001-07-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, EU waters, environmental liability, indemnification, international convention, marine pollution, pollution from ships

C 81 E/102

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

(2002/C 81 E/121)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2066/01

by Sir Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: Single European Sky

What steps is the Commission taking to prevent the status of Gibraltar from delaying the implementation
of (cid:145)Single European Sky(cid:146)?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-2064/01, E-2065/01 and E-2066/01
given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(17 September 2001)

The Commission has explained the background of its (cid:145)Single Sky(cid:146)
Questions P-312/011 (1) and P-2062/012 (2) of the Honourable Member.

initiative in its replies to Written

Conscious of the need to propose measures quickly in order to alleviate delays and address the problems of
the current air traffic management organisation, the Commission started work even before the completion
in order to prepare the technical
of the High Level Group report referred to in its previous replies,
background for any legislative proposals.

In this context, several studies were commissioned,
the results of which are published on http://
europa.eu.int/comm/transport/themes/air/english/single_eur_sky_en.html and which were discussed at a
public workshop late May 2001.

The Commission now expects to bring forward legislative proposals shortly after the summer.

Therefore the Commission is not of the opinion that there has up to now been any delay in the
preparation of the (cid:145)Single Sky(cid:146) proposals.

In view of its general experience in the field of air transport, where several of its proposals have been held
up in the Council because of difficulties concerning their application to Gibraltar airport, the Commission
hopes that the United Kingdom and Spain can give it assurances that these difficulties will not arise in
connection with the single sky proposals.

The Commission notes that contacts are under way between the relevant Member States on this question,
expressing the hope that these contacts will produce early agreement. However, since the Commission is
not party to these discussions,
it is not in a position to inform the Honourable Member as to their
progress and contents.

(1) OJ C 235 E, 21.8.2001.
(2) OJ C 350 E, 11.12.2001, p. 237.

(2002/C 81 E/122)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2067/01

by Sir Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Erika II Package (cid:129) Establishing a COPE Fund

(13 July 2001)

What steps does the Commission intend to take to ratify the International Convention on Civil Liability for
Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001, and the International Convention on liability and compensation for
damage in connection with the carriage of hazardous and noxious substances by sea, 1996? If ratification
of the Convention on Bunker Fuel Oil 2001 and the Hazardous and Noxious Substances Convention 1996
is delayed by other non-EU-member States, what action does the Commission intend to take to implement
the substance of the Conventions within EU waters?

4.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/103

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(2 October 2001)

The Commission is concerned about the lack of international rules for the liability and compensation of
the substances in question.
In its Communication on a second set of measures on maritime safety
following the sinking of the oil tanker Erika (1), the Commission held that an advancement regarding the
regime for liability and compensation for hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) is necessary and needs
to be addressed as a matter of priority at international and European level.

The Transport Council, at its meeting on 20 December 2000, called upon Member States and encouraged
third parties to ratify the 1996 International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in
connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea. The Commission will follow
this undertaking up and take the necessary steps to facilitate the ratification in accordance with
Community law.

As a first step, the Commission will propose a decision authorising Member States to ratify the Bunkers
and HNS Conventions. This is a necessary precondition,
in light of existing Community law and the
exclusive Community competence in certain matters regulated in the two conventions.

If, despite these efforts,
there would be no appropriate liability and compensation regime at an
international level, the Commission will make a proposal for adopting Community legislation introducing
a Europe-wide maritime pollution liability and compensation regime.

(1) OJ C 120 E, 24.4.2001.

(2002/C 81 E/123)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2073/01

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: Projects to renovate and modernise the water supply network in Attica

According to statements made by the managing director of the Athens water company EYDAP, there is a
clear danger of a water shortage in Attica since the reservoirs contain only enough water for two years.
This volume is internationally considered the minimum for a secure water supply. The company
management has announced projects to renovate and modernise the water supply network in 2001, with a
total budget of GRD 3 billion. The EYDAP programme includes projects aimed at reducing spillage with
funds totalling GRD 25 billion up to 2005.

Did the Commission receive proposals from the Greek Government aimed at combating the water

1.
shortage in Attica as part of the second CSF? If so, what proposals were deemed eligible?

Has the Commission received specific proposals from the Greek Government for projects to renovate
2.
and modernise the water supply network and combat the water shortage in Attica as part of the third CSF,
and if so what do these proposals involve?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(13 September 2001)

The Commission part-financed the following projects for drainage and modernisation of the distribution
network for drinking water in Attica under the Cohesion Fund in 1993-1999: construction of the Evinos
dam and related work at a total cost of € 339,87 million and improvement of the supply and distribution
networks in Attica managed by the company responsible for the supply of water and waste-water