WRITTEN QUESTION P-3755/02 by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Compensation to farmers for havoc wrought by bad weather.
Date: 2002-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Greece, agricultural insurance, aid to agriculture, bad weather, eligibility criteria

6.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/23

‘the Merger Regulation’) (1). This has also been the case with this particular merger. The Directorate General
for Competition has launched a broad market investigation, including detailed questionnaires to customers
and competitors in all relevant markets. The fact that the merged entity will become the world’s largest
pharmaceutical company does not alter the scope of the investigation (cid:1) to detect strengthening or
creation of dominance.

When a concentration raises serious doubts as to its compatibility with the common market,
the
undertakings concerned may suggest remedies to remove the competition concerns. If the Commission
finds the proposed remedies to be sufficient and remove the serious doubts, it may decide to declare the
concentration compatible with the common market, on the basis of Article 6.2 of the Merger Regulation.
A typical remedy would be to divest the part of the business in the markets where serious doubts arise.
Proposed divestitures are then subject to scrutiny by the Commission which will ask customers and
competitors for their views as to whether the proposals will effectively remove competition concerns. In
addition to divestitures, the Commission can prevent the creation or strengthening of a dominant position
in certain product markets by declaring the whole operation incompatible with the common market and,
effectively, to prohibit it. Such a decision would be taken only after an in-depth investigation and only in
those cases where the proposed undertakings do not adequately address the competition concerns.

As the investigation of
Commission is not in a position to comment on the details or the likely outcome of the case.

the proposed merger between Pfizer and Pharmacia is still ongoing,

the

The preservation and development of effective competition, which is the aim of merger control, focuses in
large measure on the potential economic impact of the transaction upon consumers. Although the
restructuring caused by mergers may have effects on employment, such considerations are not within the
remit of an economic analysis of the specific effects of a transaction upon competition in a particular
market. However,
the
employees, a right to express their opinion in writing and/or orally. In the present case, interested third
parties have been invited to submit their observations on the operation in a document published on
31 October 2002 in the Official Journal (2).

the Merger Regulation affords third parties,

including the representatives of

(1) Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 of 21 December 1989 on the control of concentrations between

undertakings, OJ L 395, 30.12.1989.

(2) OJ C 265, 31.10.2002.

(2004/C 33 E/022)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3755/02

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 December 2002)

Subject: Compensation to farmers for havoc wrought by bad weather

The latest spell of bad weather in the regions of Macedonia and Thessaly caused incalculable damage to
crops and property and severe disruption to transport. A large part of agricultural production disappeared
under water and much of the road network was paralysed as a result of defects in construction.

Will the Community provide financial aid to the above regions to help restore normal conditions as soon
as possible in the areas affected by natural disasters, pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 (1)
of 11 November 2002?

What measures have the Greek authorities taken to commit the special financial resources required to
cover the abovementioned damage?

Given that Greece has suffered similar situations in the past, will the Commission say whether any
subsidies that Greece may have received pursuant to the above regulation were utilised and, if not, whether
the unused portion was returned to the Commission?

(1) OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3.

C 33 E/24

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2004

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 January 2003)

The Commission has not so far received any application from the Greek authorities under Article 4 of
Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity
Fund (1) for aid to make good damage caused by the natural disasters to which the Honourable Member
refers.

For aid from the Fund to be granted the requirements of Articles 2 and 4(1) of the Regulation must be met,
namely that estimated damage (unless exceptional circumstances as indicated in the last subparagraph of
Article 2(2) apply) is more than EUR 3 billion or 0,6 % of the Member State’s gross national income and
that application is made within ten weeks of the date of the first damage caused by the disaster. Help from
the Fund is given for action of the types listed in Article 3 of the Regulation. Compensation for loss of
agricultural production is not included.

This Regulation is of very recent date and has not yet been used to help Greece.

(1) OJ L 311, 14.11.2002.

(2004/C 33 E/023)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3806/02

by Karin Junker (PSE) to the Commission

(7 January 2003)

Subject: Commission and Member State ICT projects in developing countries

Access to global communication, in particular to modern information and communication technology
(ICT), can play a crucial role in enhancing sustainable economic and social development in the ACP
countries and make an important contribution to the democratic forming of opinions.

Speeding up the introduction of ICT can considerably improve the chances of sustainable development and
aid EU development cooperation in fundamental areas such as fighting poverty, health, education, training,
the environment and strengthening the private sector.

The Commission and the Council understand the importance of ICT, as emerged from the Commission
communication (1) and the Council of Development Ministers’ Decision of 30 May 2002 on the
Commission communication. In its report, the Commission outlines the current programmes and future
activities, albeit in a very general way.

At the Palermo Conference in April, the Italian Government outlined its ICT initiative for developing
countries. Italy has made more than USD 100 million available for projects to advance e-government in
five developing countries.

What specifically is the Commission doing for developing countries, especially for ACP countries in terms
of ICT?

What programmes and activities are there and of what nature?

What are other Member States doing for developing countries with regard to ICT?

(1) COM(2001) 770.