WRITTEN QUESTION E-3238/03 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. New arrangements regarding maritime cabotage in Greece.
Date: 2003-11-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU law - national law, Greece, application of EU law, freedom to provide services, liberalisation of trade, maritime cabotage

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/795

published at the end of 2003, and the Commission has reiterated the importance it attaches to the project
by including it among the declared projects of European interest and by extending the link in its proposal
for a review of the trans-European transport network guidelines (TEN-T) to form the route ‘Lyon-Triest/
Koper-Ljubljana-Budapest’.

in the ‘Quick start programme’ of

This is also why the Commission included the cross-border section of the project (the Mont Cenis base
tunnel)
the European Growth Initiative which was adopted on
11 November 2003 at the request of the European Council. This section meets the necessary prerequisites,
given the advanced progress made on the particularly difficult geological studies for the construction of
this tunnel, its effect on the internal market and its environmental benefits. It is by far the most complex
section to be constructed on this strategic route for the trans-European networks. Work on the technical,
economic and financial studies and the test galleries is already in progress and is receiving considerable
financial support from the Community. EUR 100 million (out of a total estimated cost of EUR 371 million)
has already been programmed for the period 2001-2006, and most of this funding has already been paid.
It is also possible that, under the TEN budget, the sums allocated to this project may be re-evaluated,
within the limits of available Community resources,
in the framework of the review of the indicative
multiannual programme (IMP), and in line with the Growth Initiative.

With regard to the possibility of private sector participation in this project, the Commission is closely
following the studies being carried out by the project promoter which are aimed at establishing a funding
plan,
including through a public-private partnership (the form of which has not yet been agreed).
However, it is still too early to give a final answer regarding the importance of private sector participation,
which, in many ways, will depend on choices made regarding the implementation of the project and the
operation of the infrastructure, which are still at the discussion stage. Private sector participation will also
depend on the adoption of a Commission proposal to amend Directive No 99/62 (1)
(Eurovignette
Directive), with the aim, among other things, of allowing heavy goods vehicle charges to be increased in
sensitive areas to contribute to the funding of the construction of alternative infrastructures of European
interest.

(1) Directive 1999/62/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 1999 on the charging of heavy goods

vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures, OJ L 187, 20.7.1999.

(2004/C 78 E/0845)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3238/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: New arrangements regarding maritime cabotage in Greece

(3 November 2003)

According to the Greek press, with a view to the new maritime cabotage arrangements which enter into
force on 1 January 2004 in Greece, the Commission and the Greek Ministry for the Merchant Maritime
have decided to set up a joint committee to examine issues relating to the institutional framework in
Greece and the transition to the new provisions of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 (1) for ending
preferential arrangements in the coastal navigation sector. The Association of Coastal Shipowners wishes
to form part of the committee with a view to supporting full liberalisation in this sector. The press reports
go on to say that the issues under discussion include contracts for crew members of Greek coastal vessels,
the knowledge of Greek required of Community seamen wishing to work in Greece and age limits for
passenger and car ferries applicable in Greece.

In the Commission’s opinion,

1.
these arrangements be incompatible with
Community law, specifically Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 regarding preferential arrangements in the
coastal navigation sector?

in which areas will

2. What measures must be taken by the Greek authorities by 1 January 2004 to avoid problems
regarding the implementation of Community law?

(1) OJ L 364, 12.12.1992, p. 7.

C 78 E/796

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 2003)

The Commission has been telling the Greek authorities for a long time that the law in force needs to be
amended in order to be compatible with Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 (1), notably regarding the scope of
public service, the rules on manning and the age requirement for vessels. The Regulation will be fully
applicable from 1 January 2004.

The Commission never planned to set up a joint committee with the Greek authorities. It will take all the
necessary measures,
including infringement proceedings if necessary, to ensure that the Regulation is
observed.

(1) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 of 7 December 1992 applying the principle of freedom to provide services

to maritime transport within Member States, OJ L 364, 12.12.1992.

(2004/C 78 E/0846)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3254/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: List of priority projects (cid:1) European Commission

(3 November 2003)

According to media reports, the Commission submitted to the European Council meeting in Brussels a list
of 13 projects considered to be a priority for the European Union and forming part of a wider set of
29 projects entailing a total investment of EUR 220 billion. According to the same source, these will have
a 0,6 % impact on the growth of the EU’s gross domestic product and will enable 400 000 jobs to be
created each year.

The list does not include high-speed rail (TGV) links for the Iberian peninsula. This would have merited
criticism from the states concerned which, as peripheral countries, fear that they will benefit only indirectly
from the planned investments.

Given the above, will the Commission answer the following:

(cid:1) can it confirm that it submitted this list of priorities to the European Council;

(cid:1) can it confirm that the list does not include TGV links for the Iberian peninsula;

(cid:1) how can it justify this decision, particularly in terms of the principles of economic and social

cohesion, equal treatment and the completion of the internal market;

(cid:1) what measures has it taken or does it intend to take to ensure that geographically remote Member

States do not benefit in a merely indirect manner from the planned investments;

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 2003)

The Commission presented its supplementary proposal for revision of the Community guidelines for the
development of the trans-European transport network (1) on 1 October 2003. The proposal includes new
priority projects which have been added to the 14 adopted on the Essen list in 1994 and the projects
proposed by the Commission in 2001 which have been endorsed by Parliament. The projects were selected
on the basis of strict criteria which were included in the text of the proposal. The list of projects which the
Commission regards as priorities consists in all of 26 projects which are due to be completed by 2020,
representing an investment of EUR 220 billion.