WRITTEN QUESTION E-3815/02 by Maria Sanders-ten Holte (ELDR) to the Council. State of affairs regarding the ratification of the Montreal Convention for the unification of certain rules for international carriage by air.
Date: 2003-01-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Council of the European Union, EU Member State, air transport, international convention, international transport, ratification of an agreement

18.9.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 222 E/111

obligations. Such agreements have already been concluded with the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia and with Croatia. On 21 October 2002 the Council authorised the Commission to open
negotiations on a SAA with Albania. Thirdly, the granting, since December 2000, of a highly preferential
trade regime to all the countries covered by the SAP. The opening of EU markets to nearly all products
from the SAP countries, subject to compliance with relevant SAP conditions,
is intended to promote
foreign investment, develop export capacities and contribute to the overall political and economic stability
of the region.

The Council is reviewing annually the progress achieved by each country within the SAP, most recently on
13 May 2002.

The European Council in Copenhagen on 12/13 December 2002 recalled the membership criteria defined
at the Copenhagen European Council
in June 1993 and reaffirmed the European perspective of the
countries of the Western Balkans in the stabilisation and association process as stipulated by the European
Council in Feira; it also underlined its determination to support their efforts to move closer to the EU. The
European Council therefore welcomed the decision by the incoming Greek Presidency to organise a
Summit on 21 June in Thessaloniki between EU Member States and countries of the stabilisation and
association process.

The European Union is playing a prominent role in the reconstruction of Kosovo. The European Union is,
by far, the largest single donor providing assistance to Kosovo and the South-East European region as a
whole and is at the forefront of the reconstruction effort.

Concerning the countries of the Southern Caucasus referred to by the Honourable Member (Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia) and Moldova, the EU and its Member States are linked to these countries through
Partnership and Cooperation Agreements. The EU is committed to contributing to the rule of law,
economic reform, peace, security and stability in these countries. The Partnership and Cooperation
Agreements need to be implemented fully and effectively, as continued development of democracy and
human rights is crucial as a factor in promoting stability in the Southern Caucasus region. Concerning
Moldova, consolidation of democracy and internal political stability, solution to the Transniestrian conflict,
determined progress in economic reforms and good relations with neighbouring countries would improve
Moldova’s chances of benefiting from close relations with the future enlarged EU. The Copenhagen
European Council underlined that the EU wishes to enhance its relations inter alia with Moldova, based on
a long-term approach promoting democratic and economic reforms, sustainable development and trade,
and is developing new initiatives for this purpose. It should be added that none of the countries in
question has applied for membership. Furthermore, the Council is not in a position to speculate about the
decision to be taken by the European Council at one of its future meetings.

In conclusion, the Honourable Member’s attention is again drawn to the conclusions of the Copenhagen
European Council, stressing that the ongoing enlargement will bring a new dynamism to European
integration. The European Council underlined that this presents an important opportunity to take forward
relations with neighbouring countries based on shared political and economic values and stressed that the
Union remains determined to avoid new dividing lines in Europe and to promote stability and prosperity
within and beyond the new borders of the Union.

(2003/C 222 E/129)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3815/02

by Maria Sanders-ten Holte (ELDR) to the Council

(9 January 2003)

Subject: State of affairs regarding the ratification of the Montreal Convention for the unification of certain

rules for international carriage by air

The Member States signed the Montreal Convention for the unification of certain rules for international
carriage by air on 28 May 1999, and the Council announced that the Community would deposit the 15
ratification instruments together by the end of 2002 in order to avoid any discrepancy between Member
States.

C 222 E/112

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.9.2003

In reply to my earlier question, the Council stated that the ratification process had begun in all of the
Member States and had already been completed in some of them.

Can the Council give assurances that the Montreal Convention will be able to enter into force by the

1.
end of 2002?

2.

If not, could the Council indicate which states have yet to ratify the Convention?

Reply

(8 May 2003)

As stated in the reply to Written Question E-1800/02, the Council recommended that Member States ratify
the Montreal Convention in accordance with their national constitutional rules. It is planned that the
instruments of ratification (cid:1) of both the Member States and the Community (cid:1) should be deposited in
coordinated fashion.

A majority of Member States have already completed the ratification process; the other Member States
intend to do so in 2003.

(2003/C 222 E/130)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3816/02

by Isidoro Sánchez García (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 January 2003)

Subject: Abolition of international telephone rates for calls between EU Member States

The EU is currently undergoing major changes, with an Intergovernmental Conference planned for 2004
whose main purpose will be the reform of the Treaties and their adaptation to the new circumstances of
an enlarged Union. The aim underlying all the EU’s actions since the Laeken summit has been, apparently,
to bring about deepening and to strengthen the sense of belonging to the EU.

This strategy, which is fully endorsed by the author of the present question, should logically also
encompass, on a proactive basis, measures aimed at having maximum impact on the sense of European
citizenship.

In this connection and in the context of consumer protection,
it appears desirable to re-examine the
existence of international telephone rates for calls between Member States. Such rates no longer seem
justified in a borderless single market, one of whose essential pillars is the free movement of persons,
services and capital.

Does the Commission believe that the indefinite continuation of international telephone rates for calls
between Member States is compatible with the single market?

Can the Commission explain the reasons for the non-abolition of such rates and specify the procedure
required for achievement of the goal of abolition?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(24 February 2003)

The liberalisation process of
fundamental element in the construction of the single market.

the telecommunications market was seen since the beginning as a

Since 1 January 1998, the telecommunications market is liberalised in most of the Union, combining
the
competition with a higher degree of harmonisation in order to enjoy to a maximum extent
opportunities offered by a single market.

The existing legislative framework was primarily designed to manage the transition from monopoly to
competition and was, therefore, focused on the creation of a competitive market and the rights of new
entrants.