WRITTEN QUESTION E-2798/01 by Theresa Zabell (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Air security.
Date: 2001-10-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: air safety, air transport, approximation of laws, civil aviation, dual-use good, duty-free sale, terrorism

16.5.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 115 E/159

temporary continuation of intervention by Member States until the end of 2001, should the need for such
cover persist and on condition that this does not place the airlines in a more favourable position than
prior to the withdrawal of their insurance cover. With regard to security, the Commission considered that
the reinforcement of certain security measures should be borne by the Member State.

Also, in application of the anti-trust rules of the EC Treaty, the Commission announced that it would give
favourable consideration to certain agreements between airlines, such as capacity coordination agreements
intended exclusively to maintain a regular service on ‘thinner’ routes or at off-peak times of the day. In
addition, the Commission announced that it would monitor the developments and that it would reexamine
the measures announced in its Communication if there was such a need.

In the context of the Communication, the Commission took into consideration the situation of smaller
airlines and their continued moves to restructure. The Commission leaves the choice of privatisation or not
to the Member State. It cannot recommend either privatisation or impose a stop on privatisation.

The Communication of the Commission was presented to the Council of Ministers for Transport at their
meeting in Luxembourg on 16 October 2001 where it received their acknowledgement and support for
the proposed measures.

(1) COM(2001) 574 final.

(2002/C 115 E/165)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2793/01

by Manuel Medina Ortega (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Subsidies for sea transport in the Canaries

(9 October 2001)

Can the Commission say what criteria and conditions are applicable for the granting of subsidies to
shipping within in the Canaries and between the islands and continental Europe? Is any distinction made
between publicly and privately owned companies operating such services?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(16 November 2001)

The criteria and conditions governing subsidies to shipping to which the Honourable Member refers are
laid down in the Community guidelines on State aid to shipping (1), which apply both to links between the
Canaries and the rest of the peninsula and to links within the Canaries archipelago.

These guidelines define the conditions under which public, national and regional aid to shipping
companies is considered to be compatible with the common market. The Commission does not make any
distinction between publicly and privately owned companies. Any discrimination would be contrary to the
principle of neutrality as regards property ownership in Article 295 (formerly Article 222) of the EC Treaty.

(1) OJ C 205, 5.7.1997.

(2002/C 115 E/166)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2798/01

by Theresa Zabell (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 October 2001)

Subject: Air security

Following the recent events in the USA, numerous security measures have been adopted at airports, to the
point that one cannot travel with any pointed object and that hand luggage is subject to frequent checks.

C 115 E/160

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

16.5.2002

However, what is the Commission’s assessment of such measures given that on 12 September 2001, the
‘Tax Value’ shops in Zaventem airport (Brussels) had numerous knives in a range of sizes for sale to
passengers who had already passed the security checks?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(16 November 2001)

The Commission unreservedly condemns such practices and indeed has recommended that the sale of such
dangerous objects should be stopped.

The Commission on 10 October 2001 proposed the adoption and enforcement of common Community
security rules for civil aviation by means of a Parliament and Council Regulation (1). The incorporation of
these rules into Community law will enable them to be applied in an effective manner and this process will
be subject to continuous control.

The common rules will be based on the rules set out in Document 30 of the European Civil Aviation
Conference (ECAC) and will aim at increased control of both international and domestic flights.

They will chiefly be concerned with:

C control of access to sensitive areas of airports and aircraft;

C control of passengers and their hand luggage;

C control and monitoring of hold luggage;

C control of cargo and mail;

C training of ground staff;

C definition of specifications for the equipment for the above controls;

C classification of weapons and other items which it is prohibited to bring on to aircraft or into the

sensitive areas of airports.

(1) COM(2001) 575 final.

(2002/C 115 E/167)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2799/01

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(9 October 2001)

Subject: Environmental crime in the Sierra de Fontcalent (Alicant, Spain)

The population in the rural districts of the municipality of Alicante (Rebolledo, Cañada del Fenollar, La
Alcoraya, Verdegas, Lo Xeperut) have for a long time had to suffer serious inconveniences, harm and
health risks resulting from the Alicante solid urban waste tip, the treatment plant for slurry from the
municipal sewage works and other tips in the area.

More specifically:

C The solid urban waste plant (managed until July 2000 by Construcciones y Contratas (FCC) and
thereafter by INUSA) does not have an appropriate collection system to prevent leaching so that the
groundwater is contaminated; instead of being buried, waste is left in the open thus generating plagues
of insects, fires, toxic gases and bad smells; rubble is illegally mixed in with urban waste and waste is
piled to illegal heights. The tip also accepts other illegal waste such as tyres and industrial by-products
against payment. The tip is described as a urban waste treatment and composting plant but the waste