WRITTEN QUESTION E-0950/04 by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Hindrances to traffic on the River Danube.
Date: 2004-03-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU initiative, carriage of goods, common transport policy, inland waterway shipping, trans-European network, transport network

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/255

diseases (cid:1) IP’, ‘Molecular mechanisms of neuronal degeneration (cid:1) NOE,’ ‘Stem cells and nervous system (cid:1)
NOE’, ‘Novel therapeutic substances for neurodegenerative diseases in CNS and PNS (cid:1) IP’. The third Call
for proposals, currently under discussion, may also include topics highly relevant for MS.

In addition, the Commission (Directorate General Health and Consumer Protection) is exploring within the
frame of its 2004 Call for proposals in the Public Health Programme the possibility of receiving proposals
for a European study about the situation of neurodegenerative diseases,
including MS, to assess the
epidemiological and health systems impact of those diseases. A Call for Tender in 2005 for this subject
could be launched if no proposal is received in 2004.

Further information on Calls, Programmes and selected projects can be found at the following web sites:

(cid:1) http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/home.cfm

(cid:1) http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/fp6/firstcallresult_en.html

(cid:1) http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_programme/howtoapply/how_to_apply_en.htm

The Commission considers these FP6 activities as a significant contribution to health research directed
towards a better understanding and improved treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as MS. With
regard to the Seventh FP, the Commission is currently in the process of defining the main pillars on which
this programme will be built in the context of its communication on the financial perspectives 2006-2013.
For the discussions to follow on the content of FP7, the Commission will duly take into consideration
relevant aspects of health research arising from FP6 as well as major public health issues.

(2004/C 88 E/0260)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0950/04

by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 March 2004)

Subject: Hindrances to traffic on the River Danube

Because of the low water level in 2003, Austrian transport undertakings using the River Danube were
faced with massive additional costs, since, for example, in the Komarno, Dunaujvaros, region, barges, albeit
reduced to carrying half-loads, were prevented by the Inland Waterway Police from continuing their
journeys.

Furthermore, there were times when it was not possible for the pontoon bridge in Novisad to be opened,
with the result that one journey from Linz to Ismael took two and a half months. In some instances, the
transport of heavy steel plate had to be transferred to HGVs, and that resulted in significant additional
costs for the transport undertakings.

With regard to transport westwards (to Duisburg, Antwerp and Rotterdam, etc.), from June 2003 until
mid-January 2004, as happens almost every year, the barges could be loaded to no more than half or even
one quarter of their capacity, with the undertakings having to pay low-water supplements which, in some
cases, amounted to as much as the initial charge.

The development of the sections of the Danube between Regensburg and Passau and in Hungary and the
construction of a bridge at Novisad would significantly increase the attractiveness of the Danube as the
most important waterway in Europe. (It is currently carrying no more than about 10 % of its capacity).

What measures is the Commission thinking of taking in order to eliminate the hindrances to traffic on the
Danube referred to above and to help bring about the urgently required reduction in transit traffic using
the roads?

C 88 E/256

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2004)

The Commission White Paper on the European transport policy (1) calls for an integrated approach
combining ‘inter alia’ measures to revitalise the rail sector, in particular for freight services, to promote
inland waterway shipping and short sea shipping, to encourage greater complementarities between high
speed rail and air transport, to promote the development of interoperable intelligent transport systems in
order to ensure increased network efficiency and safety.

The Commission proposed in its decision of 1st October 2003 (2), the Rhine-Meuse-Main-Danube corridor
as a transeuropean network (TEN) priority project and identified a series of bottlenecks which need to be
removed in order to use this transport mode best in the interest of the enlarged Europe. The Commission
proposal has been recently agreed upon by Council and the Parliament (Parliament’s vote took place on
21st April 2004).

The river Danube area is broadly covered by the Interreg III D Cadses (Central Adriatic Danubian South-
Eastern European Space) programme. Interreg is a Community Initiative financed from the European
Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The programme can support projects related to the development of
sustainable transport systems along the river Danube by co-operation of the countries in the Danube area.

(1) COM(2001) 370 final.
(2) COM(2003) 564 final.

(2004/C 88 E/0261)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0958/04

by Manuel dos Santos (PSE) to the Commission

(23 March 2004)

Subject: Risk transfer in the loan establishment operation carried out by the Portuguese Government

The media have reported that, following the investigation opened by Eurostat into public book-keeping,
the Commission validated a 2,8 % GDP budgetary deficit
(in 2003) submitted by the Portuguese
Government.

This figure can only be confirmed if the public accounts include the result of a government loan
establishment operation carried out in agreement with Citigroup.

It is not clear that the agreement ensures the total transfer of government risk to the investors in the loan
establishment operation; if this turns out to be the case, it will invalidate the deficit figure submitted.

The Commission:

1.

2.

Is it in a position to ensure that the credit establishment operation entails no risks for the Portuguese
government, which means that all the extraordinary receipts entered on the accounts in 2003 will
materialise?

Is it familiar with the opinion drawn up by the IDEFE (a body linked to the Higher Economics and
Management Institute), which claims that 19 % of the loans now transferred are cancellable?

3. Was it informed, and with what guarantees, of the existence of other government loans which could,

possibly, replace any that should be cancelled?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 2004)

According to the Code of Best Practice on the compilation and reporting of data in the context of the
excessive deficit procedure, adopted by the Ecofin Council of 18 February 2003, Member States should
consult Eurostat whenever
there are doubts on the accounting treatment of specific or complex
transactions.