WRITTEN QUESTION P-2436/01 by Francesco Speroni (TDI) to the Commission. European Energy and Transport Forum.
Date: 2001-09-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: advisory committee (EU), air space, air transport, common transport policy, energy policy, union representative

4.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/175

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(31 October 2001)

At Community level there are no requirements relating to the use of snow scooters. In accordance with the
EC Treaty, Member States may take the measures which they deem necessary in order to lay down certain
requirements for drivers, for example, regarding compulsory insurance, registration, driving licences, etc.
For the time being, the Commission does not intend to incorporate measures to regulate the use of snow
scooters into its work programme.

As far as snow scooters are concerned,
it should be noted that, as machinery, they must meet the
requirements of Directive 98/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998 on
the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to machinery (1).

This Directive concerns especially the protection of persons on or around machinery with respect to the
risks connected with the machinery itself, whereas safety issues relating to traffic movements fall outside
the scope of the Directive. The Directive does not lay down requirements directly relating to driving in
places where there are other users (for example, indicators, signalling devices, sidelights, etc.), as these
requirements are determined by the Member States.

(1) OJ L 207, 23.7.1998.

(2002/C 81 E/205)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2430/01

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 September 2001)

Subject: Introduction of European-level voluntary solidarity service

National military service has now been abolished in most Member States. It is therefore worth considering
the introduction of European-level solidarity service for adult men and women to provide basic training in,
for example,
including
awareness of the hazard they represent. This compulsory training could last for two to three months and
be undertaken in any EU country and provide a pool of men and women for deployment in emergencies
during that period.

first aid, community service, environmental service and handling weapons,

Does the Commission regard this idea as feasible and useful, and, if so, does it intend to take action to put
it into practice?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(21 November 2001)

The matter in question does not come within its jurisdiction of the Commission.

(2002/C 81 E/206)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2436/01

by Francesco Speroni (TDI) to the Commission

(3 September 2001)

Subject: European Energy and Transport Forum

The above Forum was set up by the Commission by decision of 11 July 2001. In the case of the seats
allocated to trade union representatives, the decision provides that the latter shall be appointed solely by
the European Trade Union Confederation, explicitly excluding independent trade unions which represent,

C 81 E/176

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

inter alia, most pilots and air traffic controllers. As a result, these groups are now excluded from the
current work on the single European sky, in which they have participated hitherto and which will in future
fall within the remit of the Forum.

What are the reasons behind his decision and what steps, if any, will be taken to avoid exclusions of this
kind?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 2001)

The European Energy and Transport Forum the Honourable Member is referring to comprises 34
members, six of whom represent the unions. The Forum(cid:146)s role is to deliver opinions on the Commission(cid:146)s
energy policy and transport policy initiatives. It will also act as an energy policy and transport policy
observatory. It will consider whether the structures of those sectors are competitive and appropriate, while
also taking account of environmental, social and safety concerns.

The reason the Commission called upon the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) to select the six
union representatives is that the ETUC is the body representing trade unions at European level across all
sectors, including energy and transport.

It is true, however, that not all unions are affiliated to the ETUC. As the Commission wished for
operational reasons to restrict the number of members taking part in the Forum, it was not possible to
arrange for all trade union organisations to be represented within it.

It is therefore up to the independent trade union organisations to approach the ETUC so as to examine the
options for being involved in the Forum(cid:146)s work.

It should also be borne in mind that Article 5 of Commission Decision 2001/546/EC of 11 July 2001
setting up a consultative committee, to be known as the (cid:145)European Energy and Transport Forum(cid:146) (1),
stipulates that the Forum may invite to participate in its work any person with a specific competence for
an item on the agenda.

Lastly, and with more specific regard to the Single European Sky, the Commission will continue to work,
as it has in the past, with all the players in the field, including representatives of independent trade unions
(pilots, air traffic controllers, etc.). The Forum(cid:146)s mandate will extend beyond matters relating directly to the
Single European Sky.

The Single European Sky dossier is also being handled by the Civil Aviation Social Dialogue Committee.
in that dialogue have been selected on the basis of
The organisations called upon to take part
representativeness criteria, including those laid down in Commission Decision 98/500/EC of 20 May 1998
on the establishment of Sectoral Dialogue Committees promoting the Dialogue between the social partners
at European level (2). On the union side, both the European Transport Workers(cid:146) Federation (ETF), which
represents inter alia air traffic controllers, and the European Cockpit Association (ECA), which represents
pilots, are members of this Committee.

(1) OJ L 195, 19.7.2001.
(2) OJ L 225, 12.8.1998.

(2002/C 81 E/207)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2437/01

by Mario Borghezio (TDI) to the Council

(4 September 2001)

Subject: Risk of former Italian Military Internees being excluded from German compensation

Former Italian Military Internees (IMIs) and those employed as slave labourers in Germany during the
Second World War are at serious risk of being unlawfully excluded from German compensation schemes.
An incorrect legal definition of Italian military internees, which fails to take account of the fact that these