WRITTEN QUESTION E-1516/03 by John Bowis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Poland's National Development Plan and the Via Baltica.
Date: 2003-05-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Poland, application of EU law, development plan, environmental impact, operational programme, project evaluation, protected area, road transport, sustainable development

15.1.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 11 E/187

(2004/C 11 E/212)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1503/03

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Insurance according to astrological star sign

(5 May 2003)

L’Equité, a French insurance company belonging to the Generali group, has launched an unusual trial
project. People whose star sign is Leo, Cancer or Aquarius are eligible for a rebate on car insurance
premiums, while those whose sign is Gemini, Libra or Virgo have to pay a supplement. According to the
insurer, the latter are responsible for more accidents.

Is the Commission aware of this initiative by l’Equité, and what is its view of the matter?

Is it permissible for insurance companies to divide up their customers by star sign?

If not, what action will the Commission take?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(17 June 2003)

According to the information received by the Commission, the insurance company indicated by the
Honourable Member has effectively launched a motor insurance product whose features were linked to the
zodiacal sign of the policyholder. Apparently the tariffs were calculated in a traditional way, the zodiac
element being used mainly for advertising purposes. As suggested in the information the initiative has not
had much success (only 300 of these insurance contracts have been signed up to now) and the insurer is
considering the possibility to withdraw the product in a short time.

The Commission believes that in an efficient Insurance Market the role of the actuarial techniques in the
assessment of risks should in no way be replaced by or based on astrology criteria. However, it should be
noted that
the Community legislative framework for financial services in general and insurance in
particular is based on the principle of freedom of tariffs. Insurance undertakings should freely assess their
risks and fix their premiums in a competitive market, in accordance with Community law.

(2004/C 11 E/213)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1516/03

by John Bowis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 May 2003)

Subject: Poland’s National Development Plan and the ‘Via Baltica’

The Polish Government presented the National Development Plan to the European Commission in
February 2003 for consideration. This plan contains the main proposed future infrastructure developments
which may require EU funding.

The Polish National Development Plan and the Sectoral Operational Programme for the Transport-
Maritime Economy for 2004-2006 mention international transport corridor No1 from Helsinki to Warsaw
(the ‘Via Baltica’), and contain the planned route: Budzisko-Augustow-Bialystok-Ostrow-Mazowiecka-
Radzymin-Warszawa.

Is the Commission aware that this route crosses the Knyszynska and Augustowska forests and Biebrza
National Park, which are sites requiring protection under Natura 2000 on Polish accession to the EU? Does
the Commission intend to raise this concern with the Polish authorities when giving its response to the
National Development Plan, even if no additional funds are requested?

C 11 E/188

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

15.1.2004

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(14 July 2003)

As an area of outstanding natural value it is possible that the Biebrza National Park will be identified as a
Natura 2000 protected after accession. This implies that strict conservation rules will apply. Article 6 of
the Habitats Directive requires all Member States to carry out a full assessment of all alternatives to a
proposed investment that risks having a potential negative environmental impact on a possible Natura
2000 site. If no alternative exists, the investment can only be allowed if an overriding public interest is
demonstrated and all the necessary compensatory and mitigation measures have been applied.

The Commission has started negotiations with the Polish authorities with a view to the adoption of the
programmes to be financed by the Structural Funds upon accession. In its comments to the Polish National
Development Plan, the Commission has underlined that the Polish Community Support framework will
need to demonstrate that environmental considerations and sustainable development play a role across the
whole programme.

The selection of projects to be financed by Structural Funds is the responsibility of the national authorities
in Member States. Nevertheless, all projects submitted by the Polish authorities for community financing
after accession will have to comply with all relevant Community rules,
including the environmental
legislation applicable in Poland, as foreseen in the Accession Treaty.

(2004/C 11 E/214)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1519/03

by Juan Izquierdo Collado (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Advances (cid:1) Objective 2 research projects

(6 May 2003)

What is the Commission’s interpretation of Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 (1), and what is its
final position on the payment of advances and whether or not they must be included in the calculations
for the N+2 rule as regards research projects co-financed by the Structural Funds as part of the Objective 2
operational R & D programme in Spain in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003?

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(12 June 2003)

The Commission asks the Honourable Member to refer to its reply to Written Question E-1376/03 (1) on
the same topic but with reference to Objective 1 in Spain.

As Objective 2 assistance in Spain is being given through seven SPDs there is by contrast with Objective 1
no multiregional research and development Operational Programme.

The research projects are part-financed from the ERDF under measure 3,2 of each SPD. For these SPDs the
first date for the purposes of application of the N+2 rule is 31 December 2003.

(1) See page 178.