WRITTEN QUESTION E-1112/02 by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission. Trade relations (USA, Singapore and the EU).
Date: 2002-04-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Union, Singapore, South-East Asia, United States, economic integration, free-trade agreement, free-trade area, regional integration, trade relations

6.2.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 28 E/71

Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(24 May 2002)

The Galileo satellite positioning programme will be operational from 2008.

The Commission has carried out several studies on the benefits and advantages generated by this
programme for the EU as a whole.

The Commission’s view is that all regions of the EU, be they central or peripheral, will benefit from the
Galileo programme. By its very nature, the space technology used by the system means that less well-
equipped geographical areas are able to have access to services with a high added value. It must be
underlined that the numerous advantages brought by Galileo to the general public will go far beyond the
financial gains made by the various investors in the programme. The latest study estimates Galileo’s
benefits at EUR 17,8 billion in net present value for the period 2002-2020, against an outlay of
EUR 3,9 billion in net present value for manufacturing, deployment and operation costs.

In fact, the signals emitted by Galileo will offer a real public service, not only in Europe but throughout
the world. Galileo will be of particular interest
for areas such as civil protection, public health,
environmental protection, transport safety and sustainable mobility. It will generate direct benefits for
society as a whole. In Greece, the Galileo programme should benefit in particular sectors such as maritime
transport, agriculture, leisure and tourism.

On a strictly commercial level, it will be essentially up to the private sector to develop and market various
applications in sectors as diverse as health, vehicle guidance, safety, public works, etc. Small and medium-
sized enterprises, which are very common in the peripheral regions of the EU, should benefit considerably
from these opportunities.

A Greek company, Ktimatologio, took part in the definition phase of Galileo (1999-2001). Moreover,
several Greek companies are participating in a contract which is currently being signed. This contract
concerns the development of various experimental pilot projects to find solutions to the heightened
ground and maritime security needs of cities hosting the Olympic Games, in particular Athens in 2004, by
providing an initial level of service using the signals from the existing test-beds.

More generally, the Commission considers that Greek companies will be able to contribute substantially to
the programme. In this respect, it is prepared to take any action which could contribute to raising the
awareness of companies in all Member States as regards the advent of satellite radionavigation.

(2003/C 28 E/079)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1112/02

by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission

(18 April 2002)

Subject: Trade relations (USA, Singapore and the EU)

Is the Commission aware of the state of negotiations between Singapore and the USA to establish a Free
Trade Agreement between the two countries?

Has it considered whether the EU should similarly negotiate an agreement with Singapore in order to
ensure equality between Europe and America with regard to access to the Singapore market?

Given the impossibility of a FTA between ASEAN and the EU, does it consider that a FTA with Singapore
alone would be feasible?

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.