WRITTEN QUESTION P-3025/01 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Support for tourism and the Philoxenia programme.
Date: 2001-10-23
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.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/205

Given the importance of tourism in the European Union (it is the most job-creative sector, accounting for
13.5 % of GDP and directly employing 9 million people) and the grave situation which has developed since
the terrorist attack on 11 September, does the Commission have data available concerning the medium-
term impact of the crisis on tourism in the Union or the Member States? Does it intend to take any action?
Does it propose to reformulate the Philoxenia programme?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-2861/01 and P-3025/01
given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(5 December 2001)

On 13 November 2001, the Commission adopted a report entitled ‘Follow-up of the European Council of
21 September: the situation in the European tourism sector’ (1) which deals with the impact of the
11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States on European tourism in particular.

In this report the Commission emphasises that some of the measures proposed in its communication of
10 October 2001 on ‘the Repercussions of the terrorist attacks in the United States on the air transport
industry’ (2) also respond to requests made by the European tourism industry. It further comes to the
conclusion that the challenge will be to develop a strategy for the European tourism sector that meets the
medium and long-term political and economic challenges ahead.

Such strategy that also corresponds to the requests from the European tourism industry stakeholders for
integration and cooperation should be met by the new cooperative approach for the tourism industry set
out in the Commission communication of 13 November 2001 entitled ‘Working together for the future of
European tourism’ (3). The measures favoured under this approach aim at improving the integration of the
concerns of all tourism stakeholders in Community policies and initiatives affecting tourism, and at
promoting a better interface with the tourism industry and other parties involved. This approach does,
however, not mean to reformulate the former proposal for a multiannual programme to assist European
tourism (‘Philoxenia’).

Since uncertainty remains, the Commission will continue to monitor the impact of current events on
tourism and keep it under review. This will be done in cooperation with the Member States, the tourism
industry, and the other stakeholders. But, despite the immediate crisis situation with which specific market
segments, sectors and destinations are faced, measures which harm the long-term prospects for growth and
competitiveness of the European tourism industry should be avoided.

(1) COM(2001) 668 final.
(2) COM(2001) 574 final.
(3) COM(2001) 665 final.

(2002/C 93 E/244)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2862/01

by Vincenzo Lavarra (PSE) to the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Subject: Requested extension of the deadline for Pesca and FIFG projects

31 December 2001 was set as the deadline for the implementation of projects carried out under the
Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance 1994-1999 and the Pesca Community initiative. In this context
three national consortia (Uniprom, Unicredito and Unimar) were set up in Italy cofinanced by the FIFG, as
well as a number of service centres cofinanced by the Pesca initiative. Fishermen’s organisations promote
them and all fishermen are the ultimate beneficiaries.