WRITTEN QUESTION P-2887/01 by Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD) to the Council. Luxembourg compromise.
Date: 2001-10-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Council of the European Union, European political cooperation, Single European Act, qualified majority

C 134 E/134

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

(2002/C 134 E/133)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2887/01

by Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD) to the Council

(11 October 2001)

Subject: Luxembourg compromise

Does the Council agree with Anthony Teasdale’s contribution to Martin Westlake’s book on the Council of
Ministers in which he states that the Luxembourg compromise has not been used since 1985, that it was
not in fact upheld when Greece used it during the 1988 agriculture negotiations, and that it could not be
invoked today?

Has the Luxembourg compromise been invoked since 1985 and, if so, when?

Which countries still subscribe to the Luxembourg compromise and do they constitute a blocking
minority?

Reply

(12 February 2002)

Academic publications are not a basis for discussion in the Council, and the Council has never discussed
the work referred to by the Honourable Member.

The Council, as it has stated on previous occasions (1), recalls that the conclusions of its extraordinary
session in Luxembourg on 17, 18, 27 and 28 January 1966 which are commonly referred to as the
‘Luxembourg compromise’ and which have not been amended or rescinded, do not prevent it from taking
decisions in accordance with the Treaties. However, the fact that the Treaties in many instances provide for
majority decisions does not prevent members of the Council from endeavouring in general to narrow
differences and reconcile their views as far as possible before the Council acts. Moreover, the Council does
not keep records of possible occasions on which the so-called ‘Luxembourg compromise’ might have been
invoked.

(1) See replies to written question E-317/96 and E-1109/01.

(2002/C 134 E/134)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2889/01

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(22 October 2001)

Subject: ERDF project ‘rehabilitation of the Los Filtros district of Manises’ (Valencia, Spain)

In the town of Manises (in the Region of Valencia) a project entitled ‘restoration of the environment in a
run-down area, with protection of a natural area = the urban surroundings of Los Filtros in Manises’. This
project, which benefits from Community funding via the ERDF, has led to the disappearance of
architectural features dating from the beginning of the last century, which were hitherto protected by the
competent authorities as part of the historic and artistic heritage, in accordance with the Manises PGOU
(general town-planning project).

Furthermore the project has received ERDF funding for supposed restoration of the district, whilst in fact
what is happening is that a wooded area is being replaced with modern design features which improve
neither the landscape nor the urban environment.

Both Regulation No 1260/99 (1) on the structural funds and Regulation 1783/99 (2) on the ERDF specify
that the Funds will not finance projects which interfere with the protection of the natural and cultural
heritage. Article 2(2)(d) of the ERDF Regulation specifically mentions the need to protect the cultural
heritage.