WRITTEN QUESTION No. 626/98 by Raimo ILASKIVI to the Commission. Charge levied by Russia on motorists crossing the border
C 310/106 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 9. 10. 98 On this last point, the project has attempted to shelter children from abuse by setting up a unit where any such incidents can be reported, investigated and dealt with through magistrates and the courts. Without impinging on national sovereignty, the Commission will continue to use its aid to support government efforts to protect the young. A project to reform the administration of justice in Guatemala is due to be launched in an attempt to support those bodies responsible for implementing the law, especially the childrenís code. (98/C 310/142) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0626/98 by Raimo Ilaskivi (PPE) to the Commission (9 March 1998) Subject: Charge levied by Russia on motorists crossing the border According to a newspaper report (Helsingin Sanomat, 17. 2. 1998), the Russian customs have instituted a charge on motorists crossing the Finnish-Russian border. The charge is 25 Finmarks, and is levied from all foreigners crossing the border. What will the Commission do to secure the abolition of the Russian customs authoritiesí latest border levy on European Union citizens? Let it be stressed that Member States of the European Union do not levy any corresponding charges from Russian motorists. Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (17 April 1998) The Commission has conducted investigations into the matter raised by the Honourable Member. It appears that the charge which is levied relates to assistance in completing customs clearance formalities provided on request to drivers crossing the Finnish-Russian border by a service company linked to the Russian customs. According to Russian customs legislation, foreigners crossing the border with their private cars have to undertake formally to go back by car within one month. After Russian customs introduced a computer based information system at border crossings, this undertaking is now filled in an electronic form directly at the computer and not in a paper form by hand. Drivers have at present two options: they can either go directly to the Russian customs where they can personally fill in the electronic document free of any charge, or they can seek the assistance of the company against payment of a 25 finmarks fee. The advantage of the second option is that it normally guarantees quicker clearance of customs procedures. This charge is therefore a commercial fee for the provision of an optional service, rather than a special levy on foreign drivers crossing borders. (98/C 310/143) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0629/98 by Yves Verwaerde (PPE) to the Commission (9 March 1998) Subject: Financial support for an information campaign to publicize Natura 2000 The Commission is cognizant of the fact that certain socio-professional groups (farmers, industrialists, hunters, etc. ) throughout the European Union have voiced strong reservations about the installation of the Natura 2000 network, principally in view of the lack of transparency and information as to the networkís purpose