WRITTEN QUESTION P-0345/03 by Hans-Peter Martin (PSE) to the Council. HGV transit problems.
Date: 2003-02-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Alpine Region, commercial vehicle, common transport policy, road transport, transit, trends of opinion

C 280 E/50

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

21.11.2003

As concerns the Rapid Reaction Elements of the EU, the Council agreed to task its preparatory bodies and
to finalise work as soon as possible on the basis of the following general principles:

(cid:1) reaction within 5 to 30 days or less;

(cid:1) streamlining of crisis management procedures according to the operational requirements of rapid

response;

(cid:1) advance planning based on illustrative scenarios;

(cid:1) specific identification of rapid response elements in the Headline Force Catalogue;

(cid:1) modalities for the use of the agreed framework nation concept and other concepts as may be agreed.

In accordance with the conclusions of the European Council in Nice on 7, 8 and 9 December 2000 and of
the meeting of the WEU Council of Ministers in Marseilles on 13 November 2000, the Council adopted
decisions of principle on the inclusion by the EU of the appropriate functions in the field of the Petersberg
tasks.

The Treaty of Nice introduced a new Article 27(b) into the Treaty on European Union, stipulating that the
enhanced cooperation established by the Treaty shall not relate to matters having military or defence
implications. The examination of any modification to these provisions would in any event fall within the
remit of the current proceedings of the Convention on the future of Europe.

(2003/C 280 E/051)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0345/03

by Hans-Peter Martin (PSE) to the Council

(5 February 2003)

Subject: HGV transit problems

After the so far very unsatisfactory attempts to solve the Europe-wide HGV transit problem, which has
extremely serious repercussions, particularly in the Alps, with their special environmental and geographical
characteristics, there are now a great many protest campaigns in the offing, organised by outraged citizens
in the areas concerned.

Can the Council understand the protesters’ motivation, and what specific steps is it currently thinking of
taking?

Reply

(21 July 2003)

The Council is very well aware of the problems relating to the Europe-wide transit of heavy goods vehicles,
including that of the transit through the Alps. This awareness stems from the discussions and negotiations
devoted during the year 2002 to this overall problem and in particular to the closely linked proposed
Regulation aiming to establish a transitional transit system through Austria for the year 2004 (COD 2001/
0310), not only at numerous Council meetings but also at the European Council in Copenhagen, including
the Council meeting (‘Transport’ formation) in Brussels on 31 December 2002 dedicated to this very issue.
On this basis, the Council is well informed on the protesters’ motivation referred to by the Honourable
Member.

As regards future steps which the Council
intends to undertake, the Council informs the Honourable
Parliamentarian that it is now considering the opinion of the European Parliament on the proposed
Regulation in question. Furthermore,
is awaiting the
Commission’s initiatives with respect to the charging of infrastructure. Such a system, when applied to the
different modes of transport on a Community-wide basis, and when applied in a more transparent way
taking into account the external cost by the traffic, should constitute the appropriate framework for
addressing the overall problem of the HGV transit throughout the Community, including the particular
situations such as the transit through the Alps, as referred to by the Honourable Member.

it should be borne in mind that

the Council