WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2016/97 by Konstadinos KLIRONOMOS to the Commission. Greek ferries between Greece and Italy
C 21/134 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 1. 98 Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (18 July 1997) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question P-1961/97 by Mrs Riis-Jłrgensen (1). (1) See page 127. (98/C 21/252) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2016/97 by Konstadinos Klironomos (PSE) to the Commission (11 June 1997) Subject: Greek ferries between Greece and Italy On 24 February 1997, the Commission sent a critical report to a number of Greek shipping companies following an investigation into Greek ferry services between Greece and Turkey. In its report, the Commission refers to a number of facts and concludes that the companies involved had been acting in collaboration over a long period of time to fix their rates on the international sector of the ferry market between Greece and Italy, in breach of Article 85 of the Treaty. On 17 March 1995, the Greek Government sent a letter to the Commission pointing out that, because Greece does not have common borders with the other EU Member States, the continuous and unhampered operation of ferry services between Greece and Italy was regarded as a service in the public interest. Moreover, the Ministry for Merchant Shipping had urged the companies involved to avoid engaging in unfair competition in ferry services between Greece and Italy. If the companies involved were to be fined for a serious breach of Article 85 of the Treaty, the viability of the Greek-Italy service would be severely undermined, which would have a very serious negative impact on the future of Greek national policy in regard to that particular route. In view of the above, will the Commission say whether it has duly taken account of the content of the Greek Governmentís letter of 17 March 1995 and what measures it will take to avert the possibly disastrous consequences of drawing the mistaken conclusion that the companies involved were knowingly in breach of Article 85 of the Treaty over a number of years? Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (7 July 1997) The Commission has noted carefully the contents of the letter of 17 March 1995 to which the Honourable Member refers, and also the arguments made by the parties during the hearing which was held on 13-14 May 1997, and in their written replies to the Commission’s statement of objections of 24 February 1997. Note has also been taken of the public service obligations for which the ministry of Merchant Marine is responsible, although it is also clear to the Commission that the ministry does not interfere in the price setting mechanism on international routes. The Commission is, of course, fully aware of the importance of international maritime transport for the Greek economy. Should the Commission decide to proceed towards a negative decision in this case, it will take all of the relevant factors into consideration, particularly when it comes to assessing the gravity of the infringement. Any such decision will not be taken prior to the consultation of the advisory committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions in maritime transport where the competition and transport experts of the Member States will be asked for their opinion on the case