WRITTEN QUESTION E-3987/03 by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission. Galileo.
Date: 2004-01-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, satellite communications, satellite navigation, technical standard, telecommunications

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/127

(2004/C 84 E/0163)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3986/03

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

(6 January 2004)

Subject: Radioactive waste dumps in Sicily

It is feared that radioactive waste dumps are being located in the mines of Pasquasia (Enna) and Realmonte
(Agrigento) in Sicily.

It seems that ENEA considered these sites to be suitable and that they are on a specific list drawn up by
the European Union.

As well as being subject to earthquakes, the areas concerned have development potential for agriculture
and tourism and are therefore totally unsuitable for accommodating highly toxic waste.

Can the Commission say:

1. what preliminary scientific research was carried out in order to choose the storage sites;

2. whether it does not consider in any event that the island of Sicily, which by its very nature should be
exploited for quite different purposes, is an unsuitable location for storing radioactive waste, in view
of the fact that it has already paid a very high price in environmental terms as the location of the
largest petrochemical plant in Europe?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 2004)

The Commission would recall to mind that each Member State is responsible for the management of all
spent fuel and radioactive waste under its jurisdiction.

Concerning the identification of a radioactive waste repository in Italy, the Commission notes that the
Italian Government has entrusted a commission of experts with the task of identifying and assessing
potential sites.

The Commission has not been involved in drawing up a specific list of sites for the disposal of radioactive
waste in Italy. Therefore, the Commission cannot say what scientific research was carried out in relation to
the sites mentioned by the Honourable Member.

The Commission would also like to refer the Honourable Member to the replies it gave to written
questions P-3519/03 by Mr Turco (1) and P-3657/03 by Mr Procacci (2).

(1) OJ C 78 E, 27.3.2004, p. 570.
(2) OJ C 78 E, 27.3.2004, p. 846.

(2004/C 84 E/0164)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3987/03

by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission

(7 January 2004)

Subject: Galileo

There have been reports in the German media (e.g. the ARD news bulletin of 29 November 2003) that the
satellite-supported navigation system Galileo will work on a frequency which can easily be interfered with
by the American military at any time. Without consulting Europe, American forces could switch off

C 84 E/128

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system in the event of crisis or conflict. In addition (cid:1) according to the
reports (cid:1) the Americans will require the open Galileo signal to be weakened and made qualitatively
inferior.

Can the Commission answer the following questions:

1.

2.

Is this information correct?

If so, what is the Commission’s attitude to it, and what measures does it envisage taking?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(16 February 2004)

It is not true that non-European authorities will be able to switch off or reduce the quality of

1.
transmissions from the Galileo system.

2.
Satellite navigation systems transmit signals which are open to all users (known as the Open Service
in the case of Galileo) and secure signals (the Public Regulated Service in the case of Galileo). It is
technically possible to scramble all the navigation signals, whatever their frequency, or to scramble only
the open signals whilst maintaining access to the secure signals, as they use a different frequency.

Regarding the performance of the Galileo open signals, discussions are under way with the United States to
determine what the most effective standard would be for the open signals of both Galileo and the future
GPS III with a view to providing the best service to users. These discussions are intended to ensure full
lead to a global standard for satellite
interoperability between the two systems and will, de facto,
navigation. The willingness of the United States to use the same frequencies as Galileo for open and
commercial signals is to be welcomed, as it will give a decisive boost to the European programme being
used worldwide.

(2004/C 84 E/0165)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3990/03

by Diana Wallis (ELDR) to the Commission

(18 December 2003)

Subject: Posting/delivery of tender documents

Is the Commission aware that the system of tendering which it operates, for example in relation to
translation work, is discriminating against those tenderers who live and work in a country which has no
national registered postal system? Bids submitted to a registered postal system are accepted with reference
to the date of their acceptance by the postal system. However, where no such system exists, as in countries
like the UK, only the date of actual delivery to the addressee is acceptable. This results in a inequality of
treatment and of opportunity for tenderers dependent on whether they have access to a registered mail
system or not. Where they do not, the only absolutely safe alternative is personal delivery by the tenderer.
Does the Commission have any proposals for measures which might remedy this inequality?

Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 2004)

The Commission would like to point out that all public contracts financed in whole or in part by the
budget shall comply with the principles of transparency, proportionality, equal
treatment and non-
discrimination according to Article 89(1) of the Financial Regulation (1).

The methods of communication in procurement procedures of the Commission are set out in Article 143
of the Implementing Rules of the Financial Regulation.