WRITTEN QUESTION E-0725/04 by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission. Accession of Latvia.
Date: 2004-03-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community acquis, EU visa policy, Latvia, accession to the European Union, ethnic group, national minority, naturalisation

C 88 E/522

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Such a scheme could be in breach of Community law.

For that reason, the Commission has already sent a letter in this respect to the Polish authorities, stating
that:

(i) The scheme seems to run counter to Community law, and in particular to the principle of neutrality
which underlies the VAT system and to Article 90 of the EC Treaty, given its protective effect. Indeed,
according to this Article, no Member State may impose on products coming from other Member
States higher taxes than those imposed on similar or competing national products.

(ii) According to the information at the disposal of the Commission, the draft VAT Law is at an advanced
stage in the legislative process and, for that reason, the issue should be addressed as soon as possible.

(iii) The Commission remains at the disposal of the Polish authorities in case they would like to send

further information or in order to discuss the matter.

The Commission expects that the Polish authorities will adopt the necessary measures in order to ensure
that the draft VAT Law complies with the requirements of Community Law.

(1) Sixth Council Directive 77/388/EEC of 17 May 1977 on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States
relating to turnover taxes (cid:1) Common system of value added tax: uniform basis of assessment, OJ L 145,
13.6.1977, as last amended by Council Directive 2004/15/EC of 10 February 2004, OJ L 52, 21.2.2004.

(2004/C 88 E/0535)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0725/04

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(11 March 2004)

Subject: Accession of Latvia

Latvia will join the EU on 1 May 2004. As the Commission is aware, the population of Latvia is made up
of several ethnic groups,
including Russians. The ‘acquis communautaire’, pursuant to which Latvian
legislation may not contain discriminatory provisions, will come into force in Latvia on its accession to the
EU.

Do national provisions still exist which discriminate against individual ethnic groups, for example

1.
with regard to freedom to travel?

2.

If so, what action is the Commission taking?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(27 April 2004)

As the Commission spelled out in its Regular Reports on EU accession preparation, Latvia meets the
political criteria for EU accession, which includes the protection of minorities.

The 2003 Comprehensive Monitoring Report on Latvia (1) mentioned remaining restrictions concerning
citizenship and language requirements in the field of the four freedoms. The Commission underlined that
legislative requirements on language proficiency and their implementation must be in full respect of the
principles of justified interests, proportionality and non-discrimination and can only be applied in very
exceptional circumstances, on a case by case basis. Since then, and according to the follow-up monitoring,
Latvia has further amended its legislation, e.g. by eliminating restrictions regarding security services and
lawyers, in line with the ‘acquis’.

In the context of the anti-discrimination legislation, Latvia has addressed the remaining shortcomings in
this field, including further legislative alignment and the establishment of the Equality Body. Latvia has
committed itself to completing alignment on outstanding issues before accession.

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/523

As regards ethnic minorities in particular, Latvia was strongly encouraged to promote the integration of
the Russian minority by, in particular, continuing to accelerate the speed of naturalisation procedures, and
by taking other proactive measures to increase the rate of naturalisation. Since then, several further steps
have been taken to ease the process and the rate of applications for naturalisation has doubled.

As regards the freedom of travel, it falls to the competence of Member States to decide whether holders of
non-Latvian passports are exempted from visa requirements or not. After accession, Member States will be
able to continue to waive visa requirements for holders of non-citizen passports. Once a member of
Schengen, non-citizens will be able to travel to the Schengen area on the basis of their passports and a
residence permit without applying for a visa.

(1) COM(2003) 675 final.

(2004/C 88 E/0536)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0728/04

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Ansaldo-Breda: possible monitoring of EU funding

(11 March 2004)

At the meeting last week in Brussels involving trade union delegations and workers from Ansaldo-Breda, it
emerged that the company has benefited from assistance supporting production activities in depressed
areas of Italy, as provided for in Italian Law No 488/92, in the form of EU cofinancing. Specifically,
funding has been made available for work on replacing the company’s roof with eternit (asbestos lumber),
so as to bring the workplace up to European standards in terms of safeguarding and protecting workers.

However, it would not appear that funding was requested to provide environmental protection for the
surrounding area, despite the presence of an important acquifer in the vicinity of the establishment.

Can the Commission answer the following:

1.

In view of the above, can the Commission state whether Ansaldo-Breda has received funding and, if
so, what kind?

2. What instruments can be adopted to check whether any funding awarded to Ansaldo-Breda has

actually been used?

Supplementary answer
givcn by Mr Barrot on behalf of the Commission

(22 June 2004)

In the 1994-1999 and 2000-2006 programming periods the European Regional Development Fund has
part-financed action under Italian Law 488/92 to strengthen the industrial fabric of eligible areas.

The action part-financed includes investments by the enterprises mentioned by the Honourable Member in
restructuring, modernisation and enlargement of industrial premises in the regions of Apulia, Basilicata,
Campania and Sicily. A table giving the detailed information sent by the Italian authorities will be sent
direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s secretariat.

Ansaldo Breda is also participating in four research projects under the 5th Research and Technological
Development Framework Programme (assistance granted EUR 867 617) and in two research projects under
the 6th Framework Programme (assistance granted EUR 822 115).