WRITTEN QUESTION E-0884/02 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Relief road through Arbón (Asturias, Spain).
Date: 2002-04-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU control, Principality of Asturias, application of EU law, economic consequence, environmental impact, exchange of information, road building

C 277 E/98

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

The EU has repeatedly called upon both parties to break the cycle of violence. On 10 April 2002, in a
joint statement with the UN Secretary-General,
the Presidency and the High
Representative i.a. called upon Israel to refrain from the excessive use of force and undertake all possible
efforts to ensure the protection of civilians.

the US and Russia,

(2002/C 277 E/110)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0877/02

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Allocation of UMTS licences in Sweden

(2 April 2002)

The Swedish media report that the Commission launched an inquiry in September 2000 into whether the
allocation of licences to third generation mobile networks (UMTS, also known as 3G) in Sweden was
contrary to Union rules on state aid. Several telecommunications companies in France and the Netherlands
are alleged to have complained to the Commission that the companies awarded the prized licences in
Sweden did not pay the market price.

Sweden was one of the Member States that opted for a ‘beauty contest’ approach to select the four
operators which each received a UMTS licence free of charge. Some other Member States opted to hold
auctions, selling licences to the highest bidder.

What was the outcome of the Commission’s inquiry into the Swedish allocation of UMTS licences and
which model did the Commission actually prefer for allocating those licences?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2002)

The Commission has not launche any inquiry on possible State aid issues raised by the grant of licenses to
third generation mobile operators in Sweden, nor has it received any complaint alleging granting of State
aid in connection with the awarding of licenses at below market price.

As regards the preferred procedure for the granting of licences, the Commission has specified on various
occasions that, provided Member States comply with the applicable provisions of Community Law, it is for
them to determine the process by which they grant third generation licences. (see i.a. replies to written
questions P-1839/00 by Mr. Van Velzen (1), E-1640/00 by Mr. Agag Longo (2), E-1227/00 by
Mr. Valdivielso de Cué (3) and E-3119/00 by Mrs. Langenhagen (4)).

(1) OJ C 89 E, 20.3.2001.
(2) OJ C 136 E, 8.5.2001.
(3) OJ C 89 E, 20.3.2001, p. 16.
(4) OJ C 151 E, 22.5.2001.

(2002/C 277 E/111)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0884/02

by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Relief road through Arbón (Asturias, Spain)

(2 April 2002)

The Government of the Principality of Asturias is planning to build a relief road for the AS-25 road. This
project, were it to go ahead, would have a serious environmental impact, in that it would split the village
of Arbón, in the district of Villayón, in two, pose a threat to local agriculture and stockbreeding, and
exacerbate the problem of depopulation already affecting the area.

14.11.2002

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/99

A far more reasonable approach would be to upgrade the existing road, especially since the relief road
would reduce travel time by no more than 10 minutes. Furthermore, local residents are concerned that the
implementation of the project could damage the social and cultural heritage and landscape of an area of
great environmental value.

Will the Commission ask the competent authorities for information on this project?

Does it not take the view that Directive 85/337/EEC (1) on the assessment of the effects of certain public
and private projects on the environment ought to apply in this case?

What measures does it intend to take to ensure compliance with Community law?

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(14 May 2002)

Article 2 of Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain
public and private projects on the environment (1) provides that projects likely to have significant effects
on the environment by virtue, inter alia, of their nature, size or location, must be made subject to an
assessment with regard to their effects before consent is given.

This provision applies to projects of the classes listed in Annexes I and II to the Directive. Annex II, point
10 (e) includes the construction of roads. For projects such as the construction of a relief road for the AS-
25 road in Arbón (Asturias), covered by Annex II, Article 4(2) of the Directive provides that the Member
State concerned shall determine: (a) through a case-by-case examination or (b) using thresholds or criteria
set by the Member State, whether the project should be made subject to an assessment in accordance with
Articles 5 to 10. Member States may decide to apply both the procedures referred to in (a) and (b).

It should be noted that Directive 85/337/EEC was amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March
1997 (2). However, under Article 3(2) of Directive 97/11/EC if a request for authorisation was submitted
before 14 March 1999 the provisions of Directive 85/337/EEC prior to amendment continue to apply.

The Commission has contacted the Spanish authorities to request information on the possible application
of Directive 85/337/EEC in the case reported by the Honourable Member in her written question.

At any event, the Commission, as guardian of the Treaties, will take the necessary measures to ensure that
Community law is observed in this instance.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(2002/C 277 E/112)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0886/02

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: France and the internal energy market

(2 April 2002)

Liberalisation of the internal energy market is a key component of the ‘Lisbon strategy’, which aims to
make the EU the world’s most competitive area by 2010. As far as the Member States are concerned,
France has systematically opposed and impeded such liberalisation. Its behaviour is totally unacceptable,
especially when the matter at issue, operation of the internal market in the energy sector, is of such vital
importance.