WRITTEN QUESTION E-0460/02 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Increase in ozone levels in Greece.
Date: 2002-02-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, environmental protection, greenhouse gas, ozone, pollution control, pollution control measures, reduction of gas emissions, transfrontier pollution

C 28 E/28

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

This being the case, the Commission intends to make contact with the Spanish authorities in order to
check that any aid granted to Babcock Borsig conforms to the Community rules applicable.

(2003/C 28 E/031)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0447/02

by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission

(21 February 2002)

Subject: Price disparity in the holiday market

Currently some holiday companies with booking facilities in other Member States (e.g. CenterParcs) will
only allow customers to book in the country they are currently in. This can result in the customer paying
more for his/her holiday. Could the Commission comment as to whether this contravenes competition
policy?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 2002)

The Honourable Member asks the Commission whether the fact that some holiday companies, e.g. Centre
Parcs, prevent their customers from booking their holidays from a Member State other than that in which
they reside infringes the competition rules. The practice is said to result in consumers being unable to
book from the Member State in which the terms are the most favourable.

In this case, the competition rules, and more specifically Article 81(1) of the EC Treaty, could apply only if
the prohibition in question stemmed from or was contained in an agreement for the distribution of the
services concerned, such as an agreement between a holiday company and a travel agency.

The reasons why the holiday companies had introduced such a restriction would then have to be analysed,
after which it would have to be determined whether the restriction was economically justified (different
modes of transport, different VAT or other tax rates, etc.).

Only after such a detailed examination had been carried out would it be possible to say whether the
prohibition in question was compatible or not with Article 81(3) of the Treaty.

If such companies were to distribute their services directly to the consumer without going through travel
agencies or other third parties, this type of practice would not be contrary to the competition rules unless
it was being engaged in by a company in a dominant position.

The Directorate-General for Competition will investigate these matters.

(2003/C 28 E/032)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0460/02

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 February 2002)

Subject: Increase in ozone levels in Greece

According to Greek press reports, Greece is one of the worst offenders as regards exceeding the threshold
for ‘bad ozone’. This is due largely to cross-border primary pollution from countries to the north and
north-west of Greece, such as the former eastern bloc countries (the former USSR and others), Germany,
northern Italy, Romania and Bulgaria. According to the same sources, even if it cuts ozone emissions by
50 %, Greece will only be able to reduce levels slightly (10 % at most), owing to the ‘smog’ imported from
other countries.

6.2.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 28 E/29

Is the Commission aware of this state of affairs? What view does it take of this matter? What measures
does it propose should be taken both in Greece and in other countries facing the same problem? Does it
intend to propose that strict measures be adopted in those countries responsible for this cross-border
ozone pollution to induce them to reduce their emissions? If the Commission draws up a new Community
directive demanding a further reduction in ozone emissions in the EU countries, will it take into account
the problem of the cross-border movement of ozone?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(11 April 2002)

The Commission is aware that Greece suffers from very high ozone levels, particularly in the Athens area.
While transboundary pollution certainly contributes to the background level, exceedances are to a large
extent due to local sources (mainly traffic and industry) combined with the climate and topography of the
region., as evidenced by Community supported research since several years
(Medcaphot project,
Atmospheric Environment, vol 32, No 12 June 1998).

Ozone pollution is a persistent problem throughout the Community, and is therefore one of the main
focuses of the Clean Air for Europe (CAFE) programme launched by the Commission in 2001. This will
lead to an integrated thematic strategy to combat air pollution in 2004.

The Commission also works closely with the United Nations/Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE)
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air pollution and has submitted a proposal for the Community
to accede to the 1999 Multi-Effects, Multi-Pollutant Protocol under that Convention, which sets national
emission ceilings for countries in the UN/ECE region. The Council and Parliament also adopted last
autumn a directive (1) setting stricter national emission ceilings (NEC) for Member States, and is currently
negotiating correspondingly stricter ceilings for the accession candidate countries. Both the Protocol and
the NEC Directive cover nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, which give rise to ozone
pollution.

Finally, the Council and Parliament earlier this year adopted directive 2002/3/EC (2) setting target values for
levels of ozone in ambient air, to be attained by 2010 ‘save where not achievable through proportionate
measures’.

(1) Directive 2001/81/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2001 on national emission ceilings for

certain atmospheric pollutants, OJ L 309, 27.11.2001.

(2) Directive 2002/3/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2002 relating to ozone in ambient air,

OJ L 67, 9.3.2002.

(2003/C 28 E/033)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0461/02

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 February 2002)

Subject: Closure of Ellinikon Airport in Athens

The new Athens airport at Spata began operating recently, and in the meantime the Greek authorities have
decided to close Ellinikon Airport which previously served Athens. This decision raises many questions, for
example: what would happen in an emergency if Spata Airport were closed, since no alternative airport
would be available? Recently, this scenario actually occurred and Spata Airport was closed due to heavy
snowfall, and many flights had to be cancelled, causing hardship for hundreds of citizens.

According to Greek press reports, the closure of Ellinikon Airport will create many problems, for example
Olympic Airways is unable to move to Spata Airport, the EKAV (national emergency care centre) air
transport system is in disarray and private aviation schools are facing enormous difficulties. As the