WRITTEN QUESTION E-0270/04 by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Follow-up to regulation on cross-border payments.
Date: 2004-02-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: France, bank charges, consumer protection, credit transfer, free movement of capital, frontier region, law of banking

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/173

The total level of European Community assistance (excluding bilateral Member States assistance) to the
West Bank and Gaza,
to NGOs in 2003 was
EUR 255,78 million. This includes humanitarian assistance in favour of Palestinian refugees in Jordan,
Lebanon and Syria. Programming for 2004 has not yet been completed, but the level of support will be
comparable to the level of support extended in recent years.

including humanitarian aid,

food aid and support

(2004/C 88 E/0181)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0270/04

by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Follow-up to regulation on cross-border payments

(5 February 2004)

Regulation (EC) No 2560/2001 (1) on cross-border payments in euro, which was adopted by the European
Parliament and entered into force on 31 December 2001, has helped to reduce the cost of cross-border
payments within the internal market. It has also encouraged the banking sector to modernise its payment
infrastructure EU-wide. This has been an important step towards establishing a single area for non-cash
payments in the internal market, which did not exist despite the introduction of the euro.

However, a recent survey in France (quoted at the hearing held by the Committee on Economic and
Monetary Affairs on 20 January 2004) has shown that the 25 banks questioned apply 180 different rates.
It is therefore extremely difficult for consumers to find their way around this administrative jungle. Indeed
more than 24 % of those interviewed said they were given incorrect information. In addition, some bank
charges have been illegally increased or even introduced to offset the entry into force of the regulation.

Given the above, what measures does the Commission intend to take to ensure that
advantages of this legislation are not erased by the counter-measures taken by banking establishments?

the planned

Has the Commission considered what legislative provisions could be introduced to ensure that banks at
long last supply clear information that can be easily understood by consumers?

(1) OJ L 344, 28.12.2001, p. 13.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2004)

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 2560/2001, which has been applicable to card payments and
withdrawals from ATMs since 1 July 2002 and to credit transfers since 1 July 2003, the charges made for
a cross-border payment in euros should be the same as for a domestic payment.

On the basis of the information currently in its possession, the Commission considers that, with the
exception of Spain, where the Commission has asked the Spanish authorities to take the measures
necessary for its proper application, the regulation is generally being properly applied. It is not aware of
the survey in France referred to by the Honourable Member and would be interested in receiving any
information he could provide in this connection.

In the event of failure to comply with the Regulation, the competent national authorities must impose
effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties.

Under the Regulation, the Commission will also present to the Council and Parliament by the end of June
2004 at the latest a report on its application that will focus, among other things, on the evolving situation
regarding the dramatic rates being charged. It will then be in a position to provide the Honourable
Member with a fuller answer. Nonetheless, it should be noted that the price increases of many banking
services have nothing to do with the Regulation, which deals only with charges for electronic transfers and
transactions. The Commission is of the opinion that banks are free to determine the price of their services
and that it is up to the customer to seek the best deal.

C 88 E/174

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

This is also why the Commission places great emphasis on transparency of information for payment
service users. In order to guarantee this transparency, it proposed in its communication to the Council and
Parliament of December 2003 (1) regarding a new legal framework for payments in the internal market
transparency rules for payment service providers which would be harmonized at European level.

(1) COM(2003) 718 final.

(2004/C 88 E/0182)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0272/04

by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission

(5 February 2004)

Subject: Timisoara international port

The dark shadow of speculation is beginning to be cast on the construction of Timisoara international port
in Romania, a project aimed at making Romania the ‘gateway to the East’.

The choice of location, originally 150 ha of public land to the north of the city, which has already been
approved by the EU, has been unexpectedly changed to a site covering only 30 ha, which could potentially
be increased to only 70 ha, in an area south of the city, towards Serbia, a direction that would rule out the
benefits brought by heavy vehicles. The original choice, which included the constraint that, in the event of
the port not being built there, the land would automatically revert to agricultural use, clearly excludes any
possibility of property speculation; the same cannot, however, be said of the current choice.

Does not the Commission intend, in view of the possibility that European funds might be granted to help
carry out this project, to gain a better insight into the disturbing aspects of the choice of the new location
of the Timisoara international port?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2004)

The Commission is aware of the project to build a multi-modal platform in Timisoara, but has not been
asked to give its approval to any proposed location. Furthermore, since EU pre-accession funding has not
been requested, the Commission does not intend to take a position on the issue of the location of this
terminal.

(2004/C 88 E/0183)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0288/04

by Marco Cappato (NI) to the Commission

(6 February 2004)

Subject: Drug eradication programme in Colombia

During his recent visit to Colombia, Commissioner Chris Patten expressed European criticism of the drug
eradication programme, which is supported by the United States. Commissioner Patten also said that the
EU had refused to fund fumigations on the Andes, citing their impact on the life and well-being of
Colombians, as well as the environment.

Mr Patten also confirmed the European pledges for alternative development programmes of some
EUR 50 million, tying the disbursement of the money to Colombia’s compliance with United Nations High
Commission on Human Rights recommendations.