WRITTEN QUESTION E-2169/01 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Interreg project and free competition.
Date: 2001-07-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Denmark, EU financing, EU initiative, Sweden, control of State aid, private media, restriction on competition, television

C 81 E/124

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

On the basis of the information provided by the Honourable Member, the Commission cannot assess
whether the washing method used in the plant PoligÆs, is sufficient to remove all residues of dangerous
substances to the extent that none of the hazardous properties are displayed anymore. Neither can the
Commission assess if the composition of the packaging in question makes it hazardous.

For the assessment of the compatibility of the system with health and safety Community legislation further
information would be needed.

(1) OJ L 377, 31.12.1991.

(2002/C 81 E/146)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2168/01

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(19 July 2001)

Subject: Invitation to tender for the provision of ambulance services in Norrland

An invitation to tender for the provision of ambulance services in Norrland was organised some years ago.
In Lycksele, rival bids were submitted by the armed forces and a civil firm (Norrlandsflyg). In the end, the
armed forces won the contract, but Norrlandsflyg argued that they had not competed on a level playing
field. The case was notified to the Commission. The last time we looked into this matter, in May 1999, the
investigation had not been completed. Can the Commission state what progress has been made with this
case?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2001)

Since 1995, in response to complaints by private Swedish companies operating helicopter air services, the
Commission has been examining, under the rules of the EC Treaty on State aid, the conditions in which
helicopter transport contracts have been awarded to the Swedish army within the framework of invitations
to tender.

After a thorough examination of this case, the Commission has not found any elements of State aid as
defined in Article 87(1) (ex Article 92) of the EC Treaty. That said, the Commission is still looking at
whether the Swedish State can benefit from an operating licence as provided for in Article 4 et seq. of
Council Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92 of 23 July 1992, on the licensing of air carriers (1).

(1) OJ L 240, 24.8.1992.

(2002/C 81 E/147)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2169/01

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(19 July 2001)

Subject: Interreg project and free competition

TV2, a Danish television channel which is privately owned and financed by advertising and Swedish
Television(cid:146)s Sydnytt channel are collaborating on a project using a satellite link for the rapid transmission
of television spots between Copenhagen and Malm(cid:246). The project has received SEK 12,5 million worth of
EU aid (under the Interreg programme) towards a total cost of SEK 25 million.

4.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/125

This has aggravated TV4 (cid:214)resund, a rival company, which takes the view that it distorts competition
because it improves Sydnytt(cid:146)s quality in terms of local material, something which is becoming increasingly
important as digital technology develops.

Does the Commission consider this project to be entirely compatible with the efforts being made to create
a Union where the distortion of free competition is not permitted?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(17 September 2001)

The Community Initiative Interreg,
like all Structural Funds programmes, operates in a decentralised
manner. Projects are selected for financing by a committee of representatives from the local partnership.
All projects selected must conform with the provisions of the Treaty, including the rules on competition
and state aids. Ensuring such conformity is the responsibility of the competent authorities in the Member
States concerned.

Based on the information available, the Commission has no reason to believe a priori that the project is
not in compliance with competition policy. The existence of public support to a private enterprise is not
of itself an indication of an infringement provided that such aid lies within the limits laid down by
Community competition rules. The Commission will examine carefully any additional information that the
Honourable Member or the company concerned may wish to provide.

(2002/C 81 E/148)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2171/01

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(20 July 2001)

Subject: Development policy versus agricultural policy

At a conference on EU development policy on 20-21 June 2001, the Swedish and Netherlands ministers
responsible for development-related issues were amongst those who criticised the CAP, taking the view
that it ran counter to the Union(cid:146)s development policies.

The customs duties the Union levies and the subsidies it grants to its own farm sector make it difficult for
developing countries to export their main products, and artificially cheap products from the EU are
dumped on developing countries(cid:146) domestic markets, leaving no room for local produce. According to
Dagens Nyheter of 22 June 2001, Eveline Herfkens,
for Development
Cooperation, said as well that the hygiene and health rules and requirements applicable to food imported
into the European Union were so stringent for protectionist, and no other, reasons.

the Netherlands Minister

What joint steps does the Council intend to take to ensure that the above problems are eliminated, so that
developing countries can export agricultural produce to the European Union and do not need to contend
with agricultural products dumped at low prices on their domestic markets?

Reply

(6 December 2001)

The Council does not comment on views expressed by the individual Ministers of Member States, in
particular where the comments are made outside the framework of the Council.