WRITTEN QUESTION E-0856/04 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Protecting traditional industries.
Date: 2004-03-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: China, Portugal, accession to the European Union, impact study, industrial policy, job preservation, restriction on competition

C 84 E/896

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

(2004/C 84 E/0989)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0855/04

by Jean-Maurice Dehousse (PSE) to the Commission

(19 March 2004)

Subject: Security in Brussels

All major conurbations face the risk of a sudden loss of community facilities, including their electricity
supply. It is well known that many are vulnerable to terrorist attack. Most are in addition prone to
industrial accidents, either directly (where factories or industrial plants are sited within their territory) or
indirectly (where they are sited nearby).

This is as true of Brussels (city and conurbation) as of anywhere else, and it is no secret that Brussels is
high on the list of known (cid:1) and even cited (cid:1) terrorist targets. The governor of the administrative district
of Brussels has recently expressed his concern: ‘We are not capable of drawing up emergency and response
plans for the capital of Europe’ (statement published, notably, by the newspaper Le Soir on 23 February
2004 and relayed by Euronews).

1.

2.

Is the Commission aware of this statement?

Had it been informed of this situation in parallel?

3. What does it see as the consequences for its premises, staff and the families of its staff?

4. What contacts (cid:1) regular or otherwise (cid:1) has the Commission maintained with the Brussels and
Belgian authorities since it first occupied premises in Brussels?

5.

Does the Commission have premises outside Brussels where the same security problem could arise?

If so, what is the state of affairs regarding these premises and regarding relations with the authorities

6.
concerned?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(28 April 2004)

The Commission has not been officially informed of the particular statement referred to in the question
but naturally noted the information reported in the Belgian press.

As Belgium is the host country for the Commission in Brussels, the Commission, in co-ordination with
other EU Institutions in Brussels,
is in sustained contact with the relevant authorities in the Belgian
Government on security matters and this close cooperation will continue in order to help to maintain
protection for persons and premises.

As the Honourable Member will understand, the maintenance of effective physical security for Commission
staff, buildings and assets in Brussels and elsewhere requires that details of provisions are not given in
public.

(2004/C 84 E/0990)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0856/04

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(19 March 2004)

Subject: Protecting traditional industries

At a recent meeting with representatives of the employees of Fosforeira Portuguesa in Espinho, Portugal,
the questioner was informed of the problems the company is experiencing, which may jeopardise its
viability in the future. The issue is competition, because of imports of matches from the accession
countries and third countries, such as China.

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/897

Can the Commission therefore say:

1. whether any research has been carried out into the impact of the forthcoming accession on traditional

industries, in particular the match industry, and of China’s accession to the WTO;

2. what measures it will take to support these traditional industries, with a view to safeguarding jobs?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2004)

Certain studies have been carried out by the Commission on the impact of enlargement on European
Union industries although no specific studies have been carried out on the match industry. Similarly, no
specific studies have been carried out on the impact on the match industry of China’s accession to the
World Trade Organisation (WTO). In the case of unfair competition from the industry of the accession
countries or from the Chinese industry, and in particular the non-respect of the WTO rules, the concerned
European enterprise is invited to contact the Commission.

The Commission’s general industrial policy is to enhance the competitiveness of European enterprises and
to help create an environment in which they can thrive. The Commission refers the Honourable Member
to the various work programmes and studies on the impact of enlargement which can be found at: (http://
europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/sme-package/index.htm or http://europa.eu.int/comm/arti-
cles/enterprise/enlargement/studies.htm).

Moreover, the Commission invites the Honourable Member to refer to the second communication on
industrial policy (1) adopted on 20 April 2004.

(1) COM(2004) 274.

(2004/C 84 E/0991)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0866/04

by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 March 2004)

Subject: European subsidies for the Flemish Community

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. What were the findings of

the auditing bodies with regard to the financial management and
the Flemish Community in Belgium in respect of European subsidies, what
accountability of
recommendations were made, and how were these recommendations implemented by the Flemish
Community?

2. How many investigations were made by the European Court of Auditors in relation to subsidies to the
Flemish Community, within the framework of the Statement of Assurance, for each year of the period
1999 to 2003?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 2004)

In accordance with normal procedures, the Commission departments responsible for Structural Funds have
checked the systems put in place by the Flemish Community of Belgium to manage these funds. They have
made a number of recommendations to the Flemish authorities in relation to various elements. The
Flemish authorities have accepted the recommendations and the commitments to this effect are being
followed up. The Directorate General for Regional Policy informed the Parliament of its findings for the
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in a report of 30 April 2003.