WRITTEN QUESTION E-2861/01 by Paolo Bartolozzi (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Measures aimed at tackling the crisis in tourism following the terrorist attacks in the United States.
Date: 2001-10-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU policy, United States, economic consequence, financial loss, reflation, terrorism, tourism

C 93 E/204

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2002

defend our civilisation and its advantages. These statements were followed by equally serious declarations
by Roberto Castelli, the Italian Justice Minister, with a racist tone inconsistent with today’s European spirit
(diplomatic sources quoted in the French daily ‘Le Monde’) at the recent meeting of the JHA Council,
raising questions as to the nature of the Italian Government.

How is it that not one of the other 14 Heads of States present felt the need to condemn or distance
themselves from Mr Berlusconi’s statements?

In the light of these positions adopted by the Italian Government, does the European Council not feel that
it should place Italy under observation pursuant to Article 7 of the EU Treaty?

Reply

(10 December 2001)

It is not for the Council to comment on the statements made by Mr Berlusconi.

The Council recalls that the European Council, at its extraordinary meeting in Brussels on 21 September
2001, issued an appeal to the international community to pursue, in all multilateral fora, dialogue and
negotiation with a view to building, in Europe and elsewhere, a world of peace, the rule of law and
tolerance. The European Council also emphasised the need to combat any nationalist, racist and
xenophobic drift, and to reject any equation of terrorism with the Arab and Muslim world.

(2002/C 93 E/242)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2861/01

by Paolo Bartolozzi (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Subject: Measures aimed at tackling the crisis in tourism following the terrorist attacks in the United States

A worldwide crisis is affecting international and European tourism following the terrorist attacks on New
York and Washington, not least because ordinary travellers understandably feel insecure.

This reluctance to travel
is seriously jeopardising firms in the European tourist industry (losses are
estimated at Lit 25 billion per day in Italy, for example), which are only to a small extent absorbed by the
inadequate social provisions and flexible arrangements in the sector (particularly in the hotel sector).

Requests for urgent measures are being submitted by operators in the sector. These would include tax
concessions for employees and firms,
temporarily extending to travel agencies and tour operators
instruments for compensation in the form of social and transport arrangements and the introduction and/
or extension of organisational flexibility in the use of staff.

In view of Article 211 et seq. of the Treaty establishing the European Communities, can the Commission
say what short- and medium-term intervention provisions and plans it intends to adopt to promote the
revival of European tourism and to tackle the critical phase affecting the sector?

(2002/C 93 E/243)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3025/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Support for tourism and the Philoxenia programme

(23 October 2001)

The terrorist attack of 11 September has caused a sharp decline in tourism. The number of travellers
cancelling their journeys as shipping companies cancel cruises and airlines withdraw flights from their
schedules is increasing at an exponential rate.