WRITTEN QUESTION P-1729/03 by Roger Helmer (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Motor insurance in Lithuania.
Date: 2003-05-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community acquis, Lithuania, accession to the European Union, insurance law, inter-company cooperation, motor vehicle insurance

C 33 E/160

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2004

(2004/C 33 E/156)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1725/03

by Reimer Böge (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 May 2003)

Subject: Funding the VMS vessel monitoring system for fishing boats

Under Article 22 of Regulation (EC) 2371/2002 (1) all fishing vessels over 18 metres in length must be
equipped with a satellite-transceiver ‘blue box’ by 1 January 2004, and those over 15 metres in length by
1 January 2005.

In the case of fishing vessels over 24 metres long, for which VMS has been mandatory since July 1998,
100 % of the cost of acquiring the equipment was refunded on request by the European Union. In the case
of cutters under 24 metres in length, however, all that will be paid, under the FIFG, is a subsidy equivalent
to 25 % of the cost of acquisition. As well as the cost of purchase, there are running costs of up to
EUR 500 per annum, representing an additional burden for fishermen.

Leaving aside the fact that this additional expenditure is hard to justify in the case of off-shore and one-day
fisheries, can the Commission say whether it is prepared to eliminate the clear discrimination against
cutters under 24 metres in length as regards the purchase of the ‘blue box’, for example by amending the
regulation, by supporting relevant initiatives through the budget or through an EU contribution to the
Member States’ monitoring costs, which would also enable a refund to be paid for satellite monitoring
equipment installed in 2003 or as of 2004?

(1) OJ L 358, 31.12.2002, p. 59.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(11 July 2003)

The Commission shares the concern that fishermen shall be treated equally during the extension of Vessel
Monitoring System (VMS) to smaller vessels.

In this respect, the assumption that the equipment for bigger vessels was funded at 100 % and that the
equipment for smaller vessels can only be funded at 25 % does not correctly reflect the actual situation. In
fact, for vessels already subject to VMS, a Community financial contribution has been paid proportionally
to the expenditure incurred for the acquisition of the equipment up to a maximum amount. The
maximum contribution in 1999 and 2000 was EUR 3 400.

For the vessels smaller than 24 metres overall, the Commission will grant aid under similar conditions as it
did in the past for the bigger vessels, within the budgetary constraints.

(2004/C 33 E/157)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1729/03

by Roger Helmer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 May 2003)

Subject: Motor insurance in Lithuania

Would the Commission please tell me whether arrangements are in place for Lithuania to comply with EU
standards on motor insurance, especially the First Directive on Motor Insurance, which says that every
insurance policy issued in the EU must offer the minimum insurance cover required by law in any other
EU country?

6.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/161

Currently, all EU Member States operate under the green-card system for motor insurance, which means
that standard minimum insurance cover is offered throughout the EU. All Member States are also
signatories to the ‘Multilateral Guarantee Agreement’, which means that Green Cards are not strictly
necessary to enter other EU Member States. Will the Commission say whether Lithuania will operate the
green-card system when it signs up for full EU membership? Will the Commission further state whether
Lithuania will be signatory to the ‘Multilateral Guarantee Agreement’?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(10 June 2003)

According to the latest information available to the Commission, Lithuania has not yet fully implemented
Union provisions on Motor Insurance. According to the information provided by the Lithuanian
authorities, draft legislation in order to implement the first Motor Insurance Directive 72/166/EEC (1)
mentioned by the Honourable Member as well as the other three Motor Directives (84/5/EEC (2), 90/232/
EEC (3) and 2000/26/EC (4))
the moment being prepared and should be submitted shortly for
consideration by the national legislative authorities.

is at

As regards the Agreement between the National Insurer’s Bureaux of the Member States of the European
Economic Area and other Associate States, concluded in accordance with the principles laid down in
Article 2(2) of the first Motor Directive above, Lithuania is not yet part of such agreement but its
incorporation is expected for the near future and, in any case, before the date of the accession.

Lithuania, as all the other Candidate Countries, must fully transpose the Union insurance legislation,
including the Motor Insurance Directives, before the date of accession. The Commission will continue to
monitor this process and in particular to check that all the conditions required for the suppression of the
insurance border controls are fulfilled. If needed, the Commission will take the necessary measures to
ensure the good functioning of the system.

(1) Council Directive 72/166/EEC of 24 April 1972 on the approximation of the laws of Member States relating to
insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles, and to the enforcement of the obligation to
insure against such liability, OJ L 103, 2.5.1972.

(2) Second Council Directive 84/5/EEC of 30 December 1983 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States

relating to insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles, OJ L 8, 11.1.1984.

(3) Third Council Directive 90/232/EEC of 14 May 1990 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States

relating to insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles, OJ L 129, 19.5.1990.

(4) Directive 2000/26/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 16 May 2000 on the approximation of the laws of
the Member States relating to insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles and amending
Council Directives 73/239/EEC and 88/357/EEC (Fourth motor insurance Directive), OJ L 181, 20.7.2000.

(2004/C 33 E/158)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1735/03

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 May 2003)

Subject: Harmonisation of public holidays

Due to different traditions and political and religious events, there is a lack of uniformity throughout the
EU in terms of the number of public holidays in Member States and how they are fixed. This can be
viewed as an economic handicap which has considerable disadvantages. A step-by-step harmonisation of
public holidays in EU states over the long term, including the postponement of public holidays usually
falling on a weekday to the following weekend, as is the practice in the UK, would bring about greater
economic benefit and give citizens the opportunity to optimise the use of their free time.

Can the Commission, although it has no direct responsibility in this area, give a clear indication of what
possibilities exist of harmonising public holidays?