WRITTEN QUESTION E-2267/02 by Astrid Lulling (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Maltese wine and enlargement negotiations.
Date: 2002-07-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community acquis, Malta, accession to the European Union, chaptalisation, common agricultural policy, derogation from EU law, designation of origin, restriction on competition, viticulture

C 110 E/38

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.5.2003

(2003/C 110 E/037)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2267/02

by Astrid Lulling (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 July 2002)

Subject: Maltese wine and enlargement negotiations

How does the Commission intend to deal with the Special Market Policy Programme for Maltese
Agriculture (SMPPMA) aiming at introducing derogations to the ‘acquis communautaire’ in respect of wine
production?

Specifically, how does the Commission view the Maltese Government’s wish to:

(cid:1) subsidise the importation of grape-must (in particular from Italy)?

(cid:1) allow indefinitely Maltese vintners to add sugar to meet minimum international alcohol specifications?

(cid:1) interpret ‘on a less strict basis’ the rule on designation of origin of ‘Quality Wines Produced in the
Specific Region of Malta’ so as to extend it to wine made from a combination of imported grape-must,
grapes, sugar, etc?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(6 September 2002)

In the course of the accession negotiations, the Commission has constantly recalled its general negotiating
position that
transitional arrangements should be exceptional and limited in time and scope. The
Commission seeks to ensure that such transitional arrangements do not involve amendments to the rules
or policies of the Union, disrupt their proper functioning, or lead to significant distortions of competition.

As regards the accession negotiations with Malta on the agriculture chapter, the Commission has applied
the same principles. It is therefore analysing all requests of Malta on a case by case basis, to assess whether
the specific conditions of Malta justify a special arrangement, and if this is the case, to find a solution
compatible with the acquis and the good functioning of the internal market.

In doing so, the Commission must also take into account the exceptional small scale of Malta’s agriculture,
the specific natural constraints of the island and the existing differences between producer prices for local
In view of these conditions, the Commission does not exclude some
produce and Union produce.
temporary measures, with the aim to ensure a successful restructuring of the Maltese agriculture and its
sustainability in the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy.

As regards the wine sector in Malta, the Commission is considering Malta’s specific requests within the
same general guidelines. However negotiations are ongoing and it is still too early to assess their outcome.

(2003/C 110 E/038)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2269/02

by Frédérique Ries (ELDR) to the Commission

(24 July 2002)

Subject: European funding for cities bidding for ‘Capital of Culture’ status

Is it acceptable to the Commission that European funding (such as the Regional Development Fund) be
used by cities bidding for ‘Capital of Culture’ status between the years 2005-2019, for the preparation of
their bid, while other competing cities from the same Member State are perhaps not in receipt of such
funding?