WRITTEN QUESTION E-0977/03 by Carles-Alfred Gasòliba i Böhm (ELDR) to the Commission. Delay of the Figueres-Perpignan high-speed rail link.
Date: 2003-03-27
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: France, Spain, common transport policy, high-speed transport, public-private partnership, rail network, trans-European network

6.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/95

The Commission has received no official information on the case raised by the Honourable Member but
will follow it and, if appropriate, will remind the Government of Seychelles of its commitments as a
signatory of the Cotonou Agreement.

(2004/C 33 E/093)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0942/03

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Political debate on the future funding of the Union

(26 March 2003)

Before 1 January 2006, the Commission is to undertake a general review of the own-resources system,
although it has already given Parliament an undertaking that this review will be completed by the end of
2004; it will include the issue of creating fresh own-resources.

The Commission is right in thinking that there should be a political debate on the major options for the
Union’s future funding; what criteria should be used for proceeding to open this debate?

What does the Commission believe is the most appropriate procedure, and who should be responsible for
taking the initiative?

Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 2003)

the Council Decision 2000/597/EC, Euratom of 29 September 2000 (1),

the
Following article 9 of
Commission shall undertake, before 1 January 2006, a general review of the own resources system. On
request of the Parliament, the Commission committed itself to present its review by the end of 2004. As
far as possible, the Commission is striving to produce its review even earlier, bearing in mind that the new
Own Resources Decision actually came into force only on 1 January 2002.

The Commission recently agreed on a timetable and internal organisation arrangements in view of
completing the necessary preparatory work for the Union financial framework beyond 2006. In this
regard, the Commission intends to present a Communication to the European Council in December 2003
containing broad orientations for the financial framework, including the own resources system. In a second
stage, the Commission intends to be ready by mid-2004 in view of presenting, as appropriate, related
legislative proposals.

The Convention is also addressing the issue of the Union’s finances. The Commission actively contributes
to the discussion in the Convention. In its Communication of 4 December 2002 (2), the Commission
encouraged the Convention to examine the funding of the Union’s action and more recently it tabled
proposals as regards the relevant articles on Union finances to the Convention.

(1) OJ L 253, 7.10.2000.
(2) COM(2002) 728 final: For the European Union (cid:1) Peace, Freedom, Solidarity.

(2004/C 33 E/094)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0977/03

by Carles-Alfred Gasòliba i Böhm (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Delay of the Figueres-Perpignan high-speed rail link

(27 March 2003)

The Commission has recently devoted considerably energy to the basic issues of liberalising the rail sector
and revitalising the use of rail transport. Directive 2001/12/EC (1) is designed, inter alia, to ensure further
progress towards an internal rail transport market throughout the EU.

C 33 E/96

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2004

In September 2001, the Commission published its White Paper on Transport, in which it stresses the need
to revitalise the use of trains as a key means of re-establishing the balance between the various modes of
transport. Proposals deriving from the White Paper comprise a package of five legislative measures
presented on 23 January 2002, designed to create an integrated railway area within Europe,
in both
technical and legal terms.

The French Government has just announced that the international Figueres to Perpignan section of the
Franco-Spanish high-speed rail link will be ready only in 2007 or 2008, instead of 2005, as originally
planned and for which dates the Spanish Government has given assurances that it will be ready for the
link.

Does the Commission not believe that the delay announced by the French Government runs counter to the
Commission’s wish to improve the railway network, as expressed in its White Paper on Transport?

Does the Commission intend to take action in respect of the French Government’s decision, in order to
ensure that the link comes into service by the original date,
in keeping with the Commission’s own
proposals?

(1) OJ L 75, 15.3.2001, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(2 June 2003)

It has
The Commission can but deprecate the delays in bringing the international section on line.
repeatedly decried this situation affecting many trans-European transport network projects, pointing out
the negative impact on EU competitiveness in the long term (1). The delays on the Perpignan-Figueras
section, however, are attributable in the main to problems in setting up the concession for this
international section. The Franco-Spanish Intergovernmental Commission announced that the negotiations
between the relevant national authorities and Euroferro, the preferred bidder, had been unproductive, since
it proved impossible to come to an agreement, particularly regarding risk sharing between the public and
private sectors. The French and Spanish authorities plan to introduce a simplified selection procedure very
shortly so that a concession-holder can be ratified by the end of 2003.

Even though setting up the public-private partnership has caused some delays, the Commission can only
applaud the French and Spanish authorities’ decision to find an innovative funding solution, which it will
support with Community aid for the international section up to the maximum contribution authorised
under the current TEN Financial Regulation, i.e. 10 % of the total cost of the project.

Furthermore, on 23 April 2003, the Commission adopted a communication on initiating innovative
funding solutions for the trans-European transport network, encouraging public-private partnerships in
particular.

(1) Proposal to amend Council Regulation (EC) No 2236/95 laying down general rules for the granting of Community

financial aid in the field of trans-European networks, OJ C 75, 26.3.2002.

(2004/C 33 E/095)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1155/03

by Mario Mauro (PPE-DE)
and Giuseppe Gargani (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 April 2003)

Subject: Telephone masts and the environment

The development of the third generation mobile communications market has fallen behind schedule, not
least because of the cost of creating infrastructures and public concerns over environment and health