WRITTEN QUESTION E-1123/02 by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission. Abolition of the requirement to display a road-toll sticker on the S 16 trunk road.
Date: 2002-04-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Austria, EC Directive, charges for use of infrastructure, motorway, toll

C 28 E/72

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(27 May 2002)

The priority for Union attention and resources remains the multilateral negotiations in the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) under the Doha Development Agenda.

The Commission, nevertheless, follows closely and with interest the development of various regional
economic integration initiatives currently taking place within East Asia, including the Free Trade Area
(FTA) negotiations which Singapore has concluded with Japan, New Zealand, and European Free Trade
Association (EFTA), and is pursuing with Australia, Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Singapore has also made a proposal to enter into negotiations on an FTA with the Union which the
Commission is currently examining, and on which it would be interested to know the views of all
interested parties in the Union. Singapore has suggested that an Union-Singapore agreement would both
further develop the Union’s relationship with Singapore and promote improved relations with other
countries in the region. As the Union is interested in fostering closer economic co-operation with
Singapore, but also with the region as a whole, such an initiative would need to support increasing
regional integration on the Asian side and improve overall Union ties with the Association of South East
Asian Nations (ASEAN).

In examining Singapore’s proposal, the Commission will also consider whether a convincing economic
case can be made. A consultation will be carried out with the private sector in the Union, and with any
other parties declaring an interest, in order to establish their views on the best way to develop relations
with Singapore and ASEAN. Other avenues besides a Free Trade Agreement (cid:1) such as developing more
effective co-operation on regulatory issues (cid:1) will also be examined.

(2003/C 28 E/080)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1123/02

by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission

(18 April 2002)

Subject: Abolition of the requirement to display a road-toll sticker on the S 16 trunk road

In an article in the ‘Heimat Bregenz’ (local news) section of the edition of the Austrian daily newspaper
‘Vorarlberger Nachrichten’ dated 21 March 2002,
the
requirement to display a road-toll sticker on the S 16 trunk road between Bludenz and Dalaas would be
abolished.

is reported that, as from 1 April 2002,

it

The operating company (ASFINAG) justified its action by reference to an EU Decision according to which
that section of the trunk did not form part of the major highway network because it was only two-lane
and had no central crash barrier.

Is there an EU Decision which lays down such a requirement?

According to EU law, what are the preconditions which must be fulfilled before a requirement to display a
road-toll sticker on the S 16 trunk road may be introduced?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(28 May 2002)

The application of user charges (vignette) on heavy goods vehicles is subject to the provisions of Directive
1999/62/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 1999 on the charging of heavy goods
vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures (1). Article 7(2) stipulates that (cid:1) unless falling under specific
exceptions (cid:1) as a general rule user charges may be levied only on motorways or other multi-lane roads
with characteristics similar to motorways.

6.2.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 28 E/73

For the purposes of this Directive ‘motorway’ means a road specially designed and built for motor traffic,
which does not serve properties bordering on it, and which:

(i)

is provided, except at special points or temporarily, with separate carriageways for the two directions
of traffic, separated from each other either by a dividing strip not intended for traffic or, exceptionally,
by other means;

(ii) does not cross at grade with any road, railway or tramway track, or footpath;

(iii) is specifically designated as a motorway.

(1) OJ L 187, 20.7.1999.

(2003/C 28 E/081)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1131/02

by Brian Simpson (PSE) to the Commission

(22 April 2002)

Subject: Financial help being given to Alitalia, the Italian airline

Is the Commission aware that Air France is in the process of taking up shares in Alitalia in order to bail
out the Italian airline from its serious financial predicament? Is the Commission also aware that this
operation involves the Italian Government issuing convertible bonds to the value of 1-2 billion Euro?

Can the Commission therefore:

1.

give us its views as to the legality of this move?

2.

3.

indicate whether the conditions applied to two previous tranches of state aid to Alitalia in 1997 and
2000 were fully met?

give us an assurance that the principle of ‘one time, last time’ also applies in cases of convertible
bonds issued by Member States and subscribed to by public entities?

4.

inform Parliament of what action, if any, it intends to take in this case?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(31 May 2002)

The Alitalia recapitalisation the Honourable Member is referring to, has been notified to the

1.
Commission on 29 April 2002. The examination by the Commission is still ongoing.

In its Decision 2001/723/EC concerning the recapitalisation of the company Alitalia (1), of 18 July
2.
2001, Article 2, the Commission has allowed the Italian authorities to pay the second tranche of the aid
granted to Alitalia (Commission Decision 97/789/EC of 15 July 1997 concerning the recapitalisation of
the company Alitalia (2)). On December 2001 the Italian authorities have notified the Commission their
willingness to pay the third tranche as well. The Commission, having requested some complementary
information, has not completed its examination yet.