WRITTEN QUESTION P-0688/02 by Marianne Eriksson (GUE/NGL) to the Council. Foreign presence in Colombia.
Date: 2002-03-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Colombia, EU programme, EU relations, United States, civil war, establishment of peace, human rights, interference, living conditions

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/75

In April 1999, the Danish competition authority cleared the merger between MD Foods and Kløver Mælk,
subject to a variety of structural and behavioural remedies (with respect to customers and competitors).
The Danish authority decided that these remedies addressed all the competition concerns that arose from
the merger.

Staff from the MMC did meet and correspond with Directorate General (DG) Competition officials in the
course of their investigation. On the one hand, that contact involved discussion of the technicalities of the
interrelationship between the 1973 Fair Trading Act and Community Law, as described at paragraphs
2 333-2 336 of the MMC report (2). On the other hand, staff from DG Competition and the MMC discussed
the possible competition concerns arising from Milk Marque’s behaviour.

A 25 % market share is a threshold for investigation under the 1973 Fair Trading Act in the United
Kingdom. This threshold applies to the analysis of mergers and monopolies in all sectors of the economy
(not just the dairy sector) 6 combined shares below this level are not usually the subject of investigation
under this legislation (there are some exceptions). The Bristish Competition Act 1998 applies different
market-share thresholds in the analysis of anti-competitive agreements and conduct.

The Commission has not, in the recent past, had call to investigate any competition issues in relation to
the competition, such as it exists, between dairy farmers in different Member States. The two decisions,
each taken by a national competition authority applying its own national competition legislation,
addressed in the earlier part of this response were taken with regard to the specific conditions of
competition in the relevant domestic markets, and to the particular competition issues that were raised.

The milk quotas, which are published in the annex to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3950/92 of
28 December 1992, establishing an additional levy in the milk and milk products sector (3), last modified
by Commission Regulation (EC) No 603/2001 of 28 March 2001 adapting the total quantities referred to
in Article 3 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3950/92 establing an additional levy in the milk and milk
products sector (4), have been fixed until 2007/2008. However, Article 3 of Council Regulation (EC) No
1256/1999 of 17 May 1999 amending Regulation (EEC) No 3950/92 (5) reads as follows: ‘The Council
undertakes to conduct a mid-term review in 2003, on the basis of a Commission report, with the aim of
allowing the present quota arrangements to run out after 2006.’

No decision has yet been taken by the Commission, either with regard to the appropriate interpretation of
this text (the abolition of the quotas or the abolition of the current regime), or on the contents of the
report and in particular on what would replace the quotas were they to be abolished. The current intention
is to present this report at the end of June 2002

(1) See Department of Trade and Industry press release P/99/587 of 6 July 1999.
(2) Monopolies and Mergers Commission report of July 1999 6 ‘Milk 6 a report on the supply in Great Britain of raw

cows’ milk’.

(3) OJ L 405, 31.12.1992.
(4) OJ L 89, 29.3.2001.
(5) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2002/C 277 E/080)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0688/02

by Marianne Eriksson (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(5 March 2002)

Subject: Foreign presence in Colombia

The candidate of the Colombian Liberal Party for the forthcoming presidential election has recently spoken
against the participation of US military personnel in the offensive on San Vicente de Chucurri, the capital
of Caguán province.

What action does the Council
Colombia and the military presence of third countries?

intend to take against the internationalisation of the armed conflict in

C 277 E/76

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

Reply

(22 July 2002)

The peace process in Colombia is currently going through a period of uncertainty. The President of
1.
Colombia felt obliged to put an end, on 20 February 2002, to the process, which began in 1998, of
dialogue and negotiation for the conclusion of agreements with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia 6 People’s Army (FARC-EP) and to the Disengagement Zone. The Council has always supported
President Andrés Pastrana and his efforts over the years to achieve peace in Colombia. Unfortunately, the
FARC-EP have refused to come on board.

2.
It is now for the Colombian authorities to define tangible means of enabling the Colombian
Government to open up new channels for finding a solution to the conflict. Recommendations by regional
organisations to which Colombia belongs and the experience of neighbouring countries undoubtedly have
a contribution to make in the definition of those means.

3.
The Council has expressed its solidarity with the Colombian people and with President Pastrana and
his Government, as well as the hope that Colombian democracy, on the basis of full respect for human
rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, can completely fulfil the aspirations for peace and
prosperity of the Colombian people.

4.
The Council has on several occasions expressed the view that there is no suitable alternative to a
negotiated solution to the internal conflict and has reaffirmed its support for any initiative to establish a
genuine dialogue with a view to ending the conflict which is tearing Colombia apart. The Council has also
reiterated its willingness to support, together with the international community, any negotiation process
which could lead to a peace based on human rights and fundamental freedoms.

5.
The European Union will endeavour to fulfil the autonomous commitments entered into under the
European programme of support for the Colombia peace process, insofar as security problems do not
hamper it. The programme is aimed at promoting and ensuring respect for human rights, fundamental
freedoms and humanitarian law, improving the living conditions of local populations, encouraging the
cultivation of alternative crops and the protection of biodiversity and supporting the introduction of
reforms to the structures which fuel conflict.

6.
Lastly, in its discussions with the Andean Community and the United States, the Council has on
several occasions exchanged information on all aspects of the situation in Colombia and has outlined the
European Union’s position on this subject.

(2002/C 277 E/081)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0699/02

by Sergio Berlato (UEN), Cristiana Muscardini (UEN), Roberta Angelilli (UEN),
Roberto Bigliardo (UEN), Mauro Nobilia (UEN), Antonio Mussa (UEN),
Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN), Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN)
and Franz Turchi (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Mountain regions

(13 March 2002)

Europe’s mountain regions provide general benefits from the environmental, economic, social and cultural
points of view and also represent an exceptional heritage which must be enhanced and protected.

Because of their specific situation, their position on frontiers and between regions, and the problems of
implementing coherent policies because of their fragmentary nature, mountain regions need a common
policy.

Will the Commission define a coherent European policy on mountains and, possibly with the help of
experts, examine under what conditions the guidelines laid down in the European charter of mountain
regions could be translated into European law?