WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1734/97 by Esko SEPPÄNEN to the Commission. Long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel
C 45/92 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10. 2. 98 (98/C 45/111) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1730/97 by Esko Seppa¤nen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (23 May 1997) Subject: Nordic cooperation programme and inclusion of the Barents Sea region in Baltic cooperation Ever since Arctic cooperation began in the 1960s, the Nordic countries have tried to develop cooperation with the Barents Sea region. The countries have joined forces in seeking to improve the living conditions of residents of Europeís northernmost regions. The main priorities of cooperation between the Barents Sea region and the Nordic countries are the economy, trade, science and technology and environmental and infrastructure projects. In addition, the countries have intensified their mutual contacts by means of cultural events of various kinds and educational exchanges. EU decision-making is very much focused on Mediterranean cooperation: attention has not been similarly devoted to the development of Nordic cooperation in the EU. Evidently, the opportunities for cooperation presented by the natural-resource-rich Barents Sea region are not yet sufficiently well-known in the EU. 1. What stage has the Commissionís drafting of the Nordic cooperation programme reached? 2. What prospects does the Commission see for inclusion of the Barents Sea in Baltic cooperation? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (8 July 1997) 1. The Commission attaches great importance to regional cooperation in the North of Europe. The Commission has been closely involved from the beginning in cooperation in both the Barents sea and Baltic and plays an active role in the Barents Euro-Arctic council (BEAC) and the council of Baltic sea states (CBSS). Community assistance, mainly through the Phare, Tacis and Interreg programmes, is being provided to both these regions, taking into account their specific needs and requirements. It is the Commissionís understanding that the Baltic and Barents regions have each their specific needs and concerns, which each require a specific, targeted approach. The BEAC and the CBSS have established contacts with other regional groupings in Europe, including among themselves. However, the idea of either a merger of BEAC and CBSS or of regular joint meetings has not been raised in either forum. To the extent that both regions face common issues, Commission representatives ensure that the necessary co-ordination takes place. In the event that BEAC and CBSS would put forward proposals for closer cooperation in particular areas where there would be significant added value, these will, of course, be examined by the Commission. As far as work on the cooperation in the Northern regions of the European Union is concerned, following a 2. report by the Committee of the regions on the Northern dimension in June 1996, the Commission organised together with the two Member States directly concerned a seminar which took place in Rovaniemi, Finland on 18 March 1997. The purpose of this seminar was to contribute to establishing more clearly the implications of the Northern dimensioní for Union policies in general and for the revision of the structural funds in particular. (98/C 45/112) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1734/97 by Esko Seppa¤nen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (23 May 1997) Subject: Long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel 1. What preparations is the Commission making for long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel in the situation which will obtain after the year 2000 when spent nuclear fuel must be transferred from temporary to permanent storage?