WRITTEN QUESTION E-2049/02 by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Regional policy.
Date: 2002-07-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Greece, application of EU law, award of contract, eligibility criteria, vehicle on rails

12.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 309 E/195

Should there be a reoccurrence of the circumstances condemned by the Court of Justice in Case C-265/95,
the Commission will take the necessary steps to ensure that that judgment is complied with.

(1)

In its judgment of 9 December 1997 in Case C-265/95 (Commission v France [1997], ECR I-6959), the Court of
Justice ruled that ‘by failing to take all necessary and proportionate measures to prevent actions of individuals from
hindering the free movement of fruit and vegetables, the French Republic has failed to fulfil the obligations arising
from the common organisations of the markets in agricultural products and from Article 30 (now Article 28) in
conjunction with Article 5 (now Article 10) of the Treaty.’.

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 2679/98 of 7 December 1998 on the functioning of the internal market in relation to

the free movement of goods among the Member States (OJ L 337, 12.12.1998).

(2002/C 309 E/223)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2049/02

by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 July 2002)

Subject: Regional policy

In connection with the acquisition of railway equipment by the Greek public body Attiko Metro A.E.,
financed with ERDF and EIB funding (50 % and 40 % respectively), there are serious doubts about the
procedure for awarding the contract to the Korean firm Koros, which may seriously affect the EU’s
financial interests.

The award was called into question by two rulings by the Greek Court of Auditors. Indeed it does not
seem sensible to award the contract for the basic option only,
i.e. without air conditioning or the
equipment for ATO systems. It is even more difficult to understand why, in addition to the basic option,
the seven dual-voltage trains for the new underground link to the airport are not being included. The link
is justified in particular as infrastructure for the 2004 Olympic Games, which is why it is receiving
European funding to cofinance the operation. Surprisingly, there are reports that work on this contract has
already begun.

What steps will the European Commission take to ensure proper use of its resources, in view of this
situation?

What measures will be adopted to ensure that Attiko Metro A.E. complies with Community legislation?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2002)

In response to a complaint received, the Commission has questioned the Greek authorities on several
issues regarding the public supply contract mentioned by the Honourable Member. The Commission is
unable, at this stage, to prejudge the final answer given by the Greek authorities, but if it were to discover
an infringement of Community law on public procurement, it would, on the basis of Article 226 of the EC
Treaty, take whatever measures were required to ensure compliance with Community legislation.

(2002/C 309 E/224)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2054/02

by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 July 2002)

Subject: Mid-term review

Further to the reply to my oral question H-0410/02 June 2002 (1), could the Commission explain the basis
of its expectation of continuing high prices for sheep meat in the medium term, in view of the fact that
the higher prices since 2000 directly resulted from scarcity of supply because of the BSE and foot-and-
mouth disease impact on the market, and in view of the fact that for the seven years previously, income
returns for sheep producers had been disastrous.