WRITTEN QUESTION E-3047/01 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Trans-European energy networks.
Date: 2001-11-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, Portugal, Spain, aid system, eligibility criteria, energy grid, project evaluation, trans-European network

20.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/79

The Honourable Member assumes that the meat in question is lightly salted and the salt may be shaken
off. This fact would not be in conformity with the definition in the Combined Nomenclature which reads:
‘For the purposes of heading No 0210, the terms ’meat and edible meat offal, salted, in brine’ mean meat
and edible meat offal deeply and homogeneously impregnated with salt in all parts, having a total salt
content of not less than 1,2 % by weight’.

The Commission is however not aware that imported salted poultrymeat does not comply with this
definition.

The Commission has drawn the attention of the Member States to monitor closely the compliance of these
poultrymeat imports with the relevant Community provisions in customs and veterinary legislation.
Furthermore, the options to deal with any problems which may arise regarding the products in question
are being examined at present by the various departments of the Commission. The outcome of this
exercise cannot be prejudged.

(2002/C 147 E/082)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3047/01

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 November 2001)

Subject: Trans-European energy networks

On 6 August 2001 the Commission authorised the granting of financial aid for the trans-European gas and
electricity markers, to a total of approximately EUR 19 m. A maximum sum will be payable in aid,
corresponding to a percentage of the eligible cost of the action. The undertakings chosen were from Spain,
Greece, France, Italy, Sweden and the UK. The Commission received 27 applications in all.

Can the Commission supply the complete list of these 27 candidates? Should there have been any
Portuguese candidate on the list, can the Commission explain the grounds on which it was not included
among the successful applicants? What selection criteria were employed by the Commission?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(18 December 2001)

In a letter to the Member States dated 12 February 2001, the Commission called for applications for
support for projects of common interest in the field of trans-European networks (TENs) > Energy.
Following this call, the Commission received the 27 requests set out in a table which will be sent directly
to the Honourable Member and Parliament’s Secretariat. One of these requests came from Portugal and
concerned direct investment subsidies for project No E142/01 > New electricity connection between
Portugal and Spain.

Council Regulation (EC) No 2236/95 laying down general rules for the granting of Community financial
aid in the field of trans-European networks (1) and the Council and Commission statement in the minutes
of the meeting at which the Regulation was adopted provide for the co-financing of studies relating to
projects of common interest as the usual form of financial support for energy TENs; recourse to other
forms of support is regarded as exceptional.

As regards the proposal selection criteria, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 2236/95, Community
support is intended for projects that are potentially economically viable but the financial profitability of
which at the time of application is regarded as insufficient and can be improved.

The other selection criteria laid down in Regulation (EC) No 2236/95 which the Commission takes into
account when selecting proposals are as follows:

> maturity of the project,

> stimulative effect of Community intervention on public and private finance,

C 147 E/80

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

> soundness of the financial package,

> direct or indirect socio-economic effects, in particular on employment, and

> environmental consequences.

It emerged from the information supplied by Rede Electrica National (REN), the project promoter, that the
project
financial
for a new electricity connection between Portugal and Spain has a high level of
profitability. This was the main reason why the Commission did not propose any financial support for this
project.

(1) OJ L 228, 23.9.1995.

(2002/C 147 E/083)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3048/01

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 November 2001)

Subject: Lloyd’s and Directive 73/329/EEC

According to information received by associate members of the Lloyd’s of London insurance market,
Lloyd’s is holding its approximately 30 000 associate members responsible for losses incurred in the wake
of the 11 September terrorist attacks in the US. The latter consider that this position to be unacceptable
and that it arises from an incorrect application of Directive 73/239/EEC (1).

Can the Commission state its position on the matter and indicate whether there is a possible failure to
comply with Directive 73/239/EEC?

(1) OJ L 228, 16.8.1973, p. 3.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(14 January 2002)

The Commission is taking very seriously the many complaints it has received regarding alleged
infringements of the Community insurance directives with respect to Lloyd’s. The Commission has now
completed its preliminary analysis and has decided to launch formal proceedings under Article 226
(ex-Article 169) of the EC Treaty.

These complaints arose primarily as the result of claims for asbestosis liabilities in the 1980s in the United
States. As far as the events of 11 September 2001 are concerned, the Commission is not aware of any
potential infringements of the Community insurance directives.

(2002/C 147 E/084)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3052/01

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council

(5 November 2001)

Subject: Release of hostages

Amnesty International has announced that the Israeli Government and the Hizbollah in Lebanon are
holding hostages in defiance of the rules of international law and the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights.