WRITTEN QUESTION E-2843/01 by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission. Checks at airports.
Date: 2001-10-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: airport, civil aviation, drafting of EU law, private sector, terrorism, transport safety, vocational training

C 134 E/120

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

Does the European Commission share my view that each country should be judged individually in the light
of the accession criteria originally laid down, and that Poland is no exception?

Does the European Commission likewise share my view that the accession of the other applicant countries
should not be delayed by any failure on Poland’s part to meet the criteria?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2001)

In its Enlargement Strategy Paper for 2000, the Commission reiterated its commitment to honouring the
historic promise of the 1993 Copenhagen European Council that ‘the countries in Central and Eastern
Europe that so desire shall become members of the Union. Accession will take place as soon as a country
is able to assume the obligations of membership by satisfying the economic and political conditions’.

The European Councils of Nice (7 to 9 December 2000) and Göteborg (15 and 16 June 2001) confirmed
this solemn commitment at the highest level, subscribing to the conclusions of the General Affairs Council
of 4 December 2000 on the principle of differentiation and allowing scope for catching up, with the best
prepared countries having the opportunity to progress more rapidly. The criteria laid down apply to all the
candidate countries including Poland.

The Göteborg European Council re-stated the Commission’s roadmap objective of concluding negotiations
by the end of 2002 with the countries that were ready so that they could participate in the 2004 elections
for the European Parliament as Member States. In view of their progress with accession preparations and
including Poland, have a real chance of concluding
internal planning, up to ten candidate countries,
negotiations by the end of 2002.

(2002/C 134 E/120)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2843/01

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Subject: Checks at airports

The recent serious terrorist attacks using aircraft as missiles piloted by the hijackers themselves have drawn
attention to security measures, especially as regards checks on passengers and baggage before embarkation.
For some time now this kind of check has been carried out mainly by private companies using unskilled
and poorly paid staff, with the police intervening only secondarily and on request. Does the Commission
intend to draw up new procedures to ensure that staff are more specialised and that those responsible for
airport security take on greater responsibility for the certification of the standards adopted and their
practical implementation?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(22 November 2001)

On 10 October 2001 the Commission adopted on a proposal for a regulation of the Parliament and the
Council on establishing common rules in the field of civil aviation security. 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 by the Commission, using a ‘peer review’ inspection mechanism.

The common rules contained in the proposal are based on the current best practices in the Member States
and will aim at increased control of both international and domestic flights.

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/121

They will chiefly be concerned with:

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

= control of passengers and their hand luggage;

= control and monitoring of hold luggage;

= control of cargo and mail;

= training of ground staff;

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

= classification of weapons and other items which are prohibited to bring on to aircraft or into the

sensitive areas of airports.

When adopted this Regulation will
indeed respond to the request of the Honourable Member. The
procedure for implementation at national level will largely rely on the measures taken by the Member
States themselves in accordance with their national practices, so that the execution of training can vary
from one state to another. Such training can indeed be done in some Member States by national officials
while in others it would be done by private companies under the supervision of governmental staff.

Moreover the Commission and the Presidency have decided, as agreed on 14 September 2001, to create a
multidisciplinary ad-hoc group to examine what other steps should be taken to enhance the current
security measures and respond to the new types of threat. The group will report to the Council for
consideration at its next meeting on 7 December 2001.

(2002/C 134 E/121)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2845/01

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Subject: Asbestos

The problem of removing material containing asbestos fibres from buildings is still a delicate issue in the
European Union. Asbestos is proven to be dangerous to human health, which is why the legislation of
many countries provides for its removal and disposal
in special dumps. What further measures and
obligations can be introduced at Community level?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2001)

The Commission shares the view of the Honourable Member on the importance of a safe handling and
disposal of construction materials containing asbestos. There is indeed, extensive Community legislation on
asbestos: Commission Directive 1999/77/EC of 26 July 1999 adapting to technical progress for the sixth
time Annex I to Council Directive 76/769/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and
administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain
dangerous substances and preparations (asbestos) (1)
in the Union from 1 January 2005 at the latest,
although this directive does not concern itself with the removal of existing asbestos. Council Directive
87/217/EEC of 19 March 1987 regulates the prevention and reduction of environmental pollution by
asbestos (2). The latter Directive stipulates that the demolition of buildings, structures and installations
containing asbestos and the removal therefrom of asbestos or materials containing asbestos involving the
release of asbestos fibres or dust should not cause significant environmental pollution. Furthermore, on the
basis of an initial Commission Proposal, construction materials containing asbestos have been recently
classified as hazardous waste and thus will have to be disposed of following the obligations laid down in