WRITTEN QUESTION P-2834/03 by Gilles Savary (PSE) to the Commission. Air transport agreements with the USA.
Date: 2003-09-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, United States, agreement (EU), air transport, amendment of a law, legislation, negotiation of an agreement (EU), ratification of an agreement

20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70 E/145

(2004/C 70 E/149)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2834/03

by Gilles Savary (PSE) to the Commission

(18 September 2003)

Subject: Air transport agreements with the USA

On 1 October 2003, the European Union will open negotiations in Washington with the USA to establish
a new global legal framework for transatlantic air links.

In view of the ambitious nature of this objective and the complexity of the issues involved, by when does
the Commission expect to be able to conclude an agreement?

In the light of the negotiating mandate drawn up by the Council in June 2003, can the Commission
reasonably expect to conclude an agreement within the next few months at the risk of not making genuine
progress on all the issues to be discussed?

Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(14 October 2003)

In accordance with the negotiating mandate granted to the Commission by the Council in June 2003, the
purpose of the negotiations that began on 1 October 2003 in Washington is to conclude a global
agreement with the United States with a view to redefining the legal framework for transatlantic air links.
The aim is to thoroughly reform the legal framework concerned. It is a reflection of the importance of the
desired reform that certain adjustments and/or changes will have to be made to laws and regulations
applicable to the United States, or even to certain texts concerning Community law.

Therefore, given the important political events on the horizon both within the Community and in the
United States in 2004, it does not seem realistic at this stage to expect an agreement before the year 2005.

The Commission, however, considers that in the meantime adjustments should be made to the existing
bilateral agreements, which are necessary to bring them into line with Community law. Proposals of this
kind have been put to the American authorities. These proposals will be discussed in a separate framework
from that concerning the abovementioned global agreement.

(2004/C 70 E/150)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2835/03

by Heinz Kindermann (PSE) to the Commission

(18 September 2003)

Subject: Approval of TERRA project ‘Geoplantour’ (cid:1) OLAF investigations

The European Anti-Fraud Office, OLAF, is investigating suspected irregularities (case reference IO/2001/
4030) in connection with the approval of a project entitled Geoplantour submitted under the EU’s TERRA
programme in 1997.

Can the Commission answer the following:

1.

Is the Geoplantour project approved in 1997 simply a modified version of the original project No 57 B,
‘Bugewitzer Oderhaff-Zone’, or is a totally new project actually involved?

2. How does the Commission explain the fact that Directorate-General XVI (currently regional policy)
approved a Geoplantour project in the summer of 1997, i.e. a year after the deadline of 8 July 1986,
contrary to the implementing provisions for the TERRA programme and the principle of equal
treatment?