WRITTEN QUESTION E-2842/01 by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission. The Madrid Convention.
Date: 2001-10-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Council of Europe, EU initiative, European convention, cross-border cooperation, enlargement of the Union, external border of the EU, frontier region

C 115 E/172

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

16.5.2002

(2002/C 115 E/178)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2842/01

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Subject: The Madrid Convention

Cross-border cooperation in Europe, including the Member States of the Union, is regulated by the Madrid
Convention and the laws ratifying it in the individual countries, as well as the additional protocols to the
Convention (not ratified by all the countries). At the same time, for Union countries bordering on other
countries such as Switzerland and Slovenia Community cross-border cooperation is being developed, for
example in the context of the Interreg projects. Does the Commission not consider that it would be
appropriate to bring the old Madrid Convention into line with new international agreements, in particular
in order to provide a consistent and improved framework for the Union countries?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(12 December 2001)

The Commission is always interested in encouraging the development of tools and processes which can
further cross-border cooperation and is aware that several Interreg Community Initiative programmes
make use of the Madrid Convention for creating the necessary management structures for implementing
the programmes.

As the Madrid Convention comes under the auspices of the Council of Europe, it is for that organisation to
decide whether it should be amended or not. The Commission is however closely associated with the work
of their relevant instances and would be ready to contribute actively in the event of a possible revision of
this Convention.

(2002/C 115 E/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2844/01

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Subject: Aosta-Milan motorway

As the reopening of the Mont Blanc Tunnel grows closer there is still great concern 2 along the route of
the road, which is for good reason included in the trans-European transport network because of its
importance 2 about an interruption in the motorway link between the A4 and A5 motorways (both to
and from Milan), for which the firm Ativa has the concession. A whole carriageway in the commune of
Pavone Canavese (Turin) was destroyed by last year’s floods and rebuilding work has not yet started. What
information does the Commission have on this and does it intend to take any official steps, in view of the
importance of this route in the trans-European network?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2001)

The Commission confirms that the section of the motorway between Milan and Aosta forms part of the
trans-European transport network and that this section is therefore likely to include projects of common
interest within the meaning of the Community guidelines on the development of the trans-European
transport network.

To date,
Community support for road repairs following the damage caused by last year’s flood.

the Commission has not received any request

from the Italian Government

for possible