WRITTEN QUESTION P-0600/03 by Carlos Ripoll y Martínez de Bedoya (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Electricity connections between the Iberian peninsula and the Balearics.
Date: 2003-02-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Balearic Islands, electrical energy, energy grid, energy policy, trans-European network

C 242 E/156

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

9.10.2003

(2003/C 242 E/162)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0595/03

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 February 2003)

Subject: Conditions of government aid to Swedish State Railways (SJ)

In Sweden, the crisis-hit railways need almost SEK 1 billion in government aid to put their finances in
order, otherwise they may be threatened with closure.

However, a Swedish government rescue operation may be stopped by the Commission, depending on what
form the aid takes. According to newspaper reports, the Commission can envisage a Swedish government
loan to SJ but on market terms and for a limited period.

Can the Commission propose ways in which the Swedish government could somehow offer SJ a chance to
survive?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(8 April 2003)

At the outset it should be recalled that it
is the competence of the Member State to inform the
Commission of any plans to grant State aid before it is put into effect (notification). Indeed, if a Member
State puts into effect a State aid measure prior to an authorisation by the Commission, such aid is deemed
unlawful and the Member State may be asked to recover the aid from the beneficiary. In this respect it
must, however, be kept in mind that only State aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the EC-Treaty is
subject to the notification procedure. Having said this, it should be noted that Sweden has so far not
notified the Commission of any plans to make any financial
intervention in favour of the Swedish
Railways.

Furthermore,
it is up to the Member State to decide the means and/or form of any possible public
intervention, whereas the role of the Commission is to examine and assess this intervention’s compatibility
with the common market in light of the applicable legal framework. It follows, therefore, that although the
Commission is ready to discuss different possible measures with a Member State and to give guidance, its
role is not to suggest such measures, which remains the competence of the Member State.

(2003/C 242 E/163)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0600/03

by Carlos Ripoll y Martínez de Bedoya (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(25 February 2003)

Subject: Electricity connections between the Iberian peninsula and the Balearics

One of the priority projects listed in the Council common position of 6 February 2003 on guidelines for
trans-European energy networks is a project to increase electricity interconnection capacities between
France, Spain and Portugal and for the Iberian peninsula and grid development in island regions.

Can the Commission confirm that electricity connections between the peninsula and the Balearic Islands
are considered a priority project within the framework of the trans-European energy networks?

9.10.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 242 E/157

Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(24 March 2003)

Within the framework of the codecision procedure currently under way, and on the basis of the Council’s
common position of 6 February 2003 on a series of revised guidelines on trans-European energy
networks (1), endorsed by the Commission (2), electricity connections between the Balearic islands and the
mainland are considered a priority project.

(1) COM(2001) 775-2 final.
(2) Communication from the Commission to Parliament on the common position adopted by the Council with a view
to the adoption of a Decision of Parliament and of the Council laying down a series of guidelines on trans-European
networks in the energy sector (cid:1) SEC(2003) 164 final.

(2003/C 242 E/164)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0624/03

by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission

(25 February 2003)

Subject: Aggregation of insurance and Regulation (EEC) 1408/71

Is the Commission aware of the adverse effects many EU citizens are suffering resulting from the German
voluntary payment scheme of the 1990s which credited insurance for a period (1939 onwards) often
covered by insurance in other countries?

One of my constituents came to the UK in the 1940s and has remained during the last sixty years. He was
initially not entitled to a German pension despite insurance payments made during his three-year
apprenticeship (1936-1939). When the law was changed in Germany in the 1990s he made his voluntary
payment to the German authorities in 1996 and became entitled to a pension payment.

However, the duplication in credits, with the UK insurance taking precedence, has led to payment from the
German state which is less than he could have expected otherwise.

It appears that both countries are currently respecting the EU regulations as they stand (Regulation (EEC)
1408/71 (1), Implementing Regulation (EEC) 574/72 (2) (cid:1) Article 15), and citizens including my constituent
are losing out.

Is the Commission aware of this unfortunate situation and are there any plans to provide a resolution?

(1) OJ L 149, 5.7.1971, p. 2.
(2) OJ L 74, 27.3.1972, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(24 April 2003)

Regulations (EEC) No 1408/71 (1) and (EEC) No 574/72 (2) coordinate but do not harmonise Member
States’ social security schemes so that Member States remain competent to determine the details of their
schemes. Although Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 provides that a person does not have to pay double
social security contributions in two different Member States at a time, it also provides that a person may
join a voluntary pension insurance in one Member State even if he already has an obligatory pension
insurance in another Member State, provided that the legislation of the first Member State allows for such
overlapping. Under German legislation a person can make such voluntary contributions if he has already at
some point previously contributed (cid:1) compulsorily or voluntarily (cid:1) to this scheme. The Commission is
not aware of any changes made in German legislation in this regard in the 1990s.