WRITTEN QUESTION E-2780/01 by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Call to tender for the trans-European telecommunications network.
Date: 2001-10-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, Internet, access to EU information, dissemination of EU information, invitation to tender, project evaluation, telecommunications, trans-European network

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/101

The solution stipulates an obligation to grant family reunification to members of the nuclear family, while
Member States are free to grant the right to the other two categories if they so wish. However, it also
provides that, if Member States decide to allow family reunification for direct ascendants, children of full
age and unmarried partners, they must grant those family members the treatment laid down in the
Directive.

The Presidency then endeavoured to specify different levels of rights depending on the closeness of family
ties.

Discussion on all these issues is continuing. The different traditions and approaches in the Member States
demonstrate how sensitive these issues are. However, the Council has noted a willingness on all sides to
seek pragmatic solutions quickly to the matters still outstanding.

(2002/C 134 E/103)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2780/01

by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(9 October 2001)

Subject: Call to tender for the trans-European telecommunications network

The call for tenders for projects involved in the creation of trans-European telecommunications networks
was published on 28 July 2001 (1). The stated deadline is 7 September 2001 (for the submission of
projects).

1.
Does the Commission not consider that the period of time between publication of the notice and the
deadline (41 days in all) was excessively short, especially considering that most of the potential participants
would have been working less during that period (the month of August)?

2. What means were used to inform the those potentially interested?

How many of those who have already responded are taking part, negotiating or have already taken

3.
part in other TEN-Telecom projects?

(1) OJ C 211, 28.7.2001.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(12 December 2001)

While the delay between the call publication in the Official Journal and its close was shorter than normal,
the Commission took steps to inform potential proposers of the forthcoming call in order to assist them in
preparation before the summer period.
Journal, the trans-
European (TEN)-Telecom programme maintains a web site which contained notification of the call and an
advance information which was placed on the site in May 2001.

In addition to publication in the Official

All visitors to this site are asked to register, and are then sent e-mail notifications of events such as the call
2001/1. Further dissemination takes place through national information days organised in the Member
States with the help of Commission staff. These mechanisms were put
into operation before the
publication of the call, subject to the advice to recipients that the information was of a provisional nature
pending publication in the Official Journal.

The Commission organised an information day concerning this call on 19 June 2001, which was
announced through the TEN-Telecom web-site and mailing lists; 3 959 invitations were sent on 29 May
2001, fourteen weeks before the call closure. 430 persons registered for the Commission information day,
and a further 404 participated in national information days.

It was necessary to close the call early in September 2001 so that proposals could be properly evaluated,
selected for funding and brought to contract before the end of budget year 2001.

C 134 E/102

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

The Commission considers that the reduced opening period of the call did not unduly disadvantage
sufficiently mature consortia. Proposers who were not at a sufficient state of readiness will have the
opportunity to submit on the 2001/2 call, which will be open for a period of approximately three months.

It should be noted that in the evaluation of received proposals, four were rated ‘A’, which compares with
only two which received this rating in the evaluation of the 2000/2 call. This appears to confirm that the
short opening period did not impede the presentation of good quality proposals.

44 proposals were received in response to the call. Co-ordinators of five proposals had previously been
co-ordinator in TEN-Telecom projects or projects now under negotiation.

(2002/C 134 E/104)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2788/01

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Death of migratory birds on the Øresund Bridge

(9 October 2001)

During long flights migratory birds chiefly navigate by the stars. This ‘map’ is lost when the weather is
overcast or foggy, so that the birds are misled by the light of illuminated buildings, streets etc. They often
collide with obstacles or choose the street itself as an emergency landing place. This phenomenon is of
particular importance in such places as the Øresund Bridge (between Sweden and Denmark), which is
brightly illuminated in foggy conditions, and on which approximately 1 000 birds, mostly rare, can die on
one foggy day.

1.

2.

Has any research been carried out into this phenomenon?

Is it possible to divert the birds from buildings and streets etc. which are potentially lethal to them?

3. What efforts are being made by the Commission to protect the birds?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(23 November 2001)

Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (1) provides a legal
framework for the protection of all wild bird species as well as their habitats within the Community.
However, it is for the individual Member States to ensure appropriate protection of the different bird’s
species, in accordance with the requirements of the directive, taking the necessary preventive measures to
avoid significant negative influences on bird populations.

The Commission is aware that the Öresund area between Sweden and Denmark is important for migratory
birds and contains special protected areas. It is not aware that a significant number of migratory birds die
following collision with the Öresund bridge as a result of poor orientation during unfavourable weather
conditions.

There are a number of studies about birds and collisions with large structures, which deal particularly with
the problems posed by high voltage transmission lines and glass walls on buildings. Solutions to minimise
the problem of bird collisions need to be based on appropriate scientific studies and adapted to the
particularities of the local conditions.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.