WRITTEN QUESTION E-1232/00 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Council. Presence of regions such as Galicia at meetings of the Fisheries Council of the European Union.
13. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 46 E/149 (2001/C 46 E/171) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1226/00 by Jaime Valdivielso de CuØ (PPE-DE) to the Commission (14 April 2000) Subject: Environment The Commission recently proposed a system of emissions trading amongst the different Member States to facilitate, and reduce the cost of, compliance with the Kyoto Protocol, under which current emission levels are to be brought down by 8 % over the period 2008-2012. The proposal refers to net emissions of the gases in question throughout. Does the Commission not believe that it would be more appropriate to adjust these values to emissions per unit produced, thereby making our undertakings more competitive in environmental terms and directly encouraging research into, and the development of, more environmentally friendly production techniques? What measures does it intend to take to dissuade our industry from relocating to countries with more flexible legislation in this area? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (30 May 2000) The Commission does not believe that it would be more appropriate to use áemissions per unit producedí as a basis for meeting its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. Most basically, this is because the Kyoto Protocolís targets are absolute targets, and the Communityís emissions of greenhouse gases must therefore be reduced in absolute terms if its international commitments are to be honoured. With regard to the possible relocation of industry outside the Community, it is to be noted that all the Communityís major industrialised competitors undertook emission reduction targets, the achievement of which will also require policies to be put in place. It is likely, therefore, that companies located in other industrialised countries will have to make efforts comparable with the efforts required of Community companies. With regard to the possible relocation of industry to developing countries that do not have targets to meet under the Kyoto Protocol, it is the Commissionís opinion that decisions on relocation depend upon a multitude of factors, of which environmental criteria is only one. However, in the longer term, it is to be expected that efforts to contain emissions will also have to be taken by developing countries if the objectives of the Climate Change Framework Convention are to be met. (2001/C 46 E/172) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1232/00 by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Council (27 April 2000) Subject: Presence of regions such as Galicia at meetings of the Fisheries Council of the European Union The Spanish Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr Jesœs Posada, said in Santiago de Compostela that he doubted whether autonomous communities such as Galicia, which hold the corresponding powers and have a large fishing industry, could represent the state at meetings of the Council of Ministers. Does the Council share this view? Are there other Member States whose federal states or other internal political entities already participate in the Fisheries Council? C 46 E/150 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 13. 2. 2001 Reply (10 July 2000) In accordance with the provisions of Article 203 of the EC Treaty, the Council shall consist of a representative of each Member State at ministerial level authorised to commit the government of that Member State. Accordingly, it is for each Member State to determine how and by whom it is represented in Fisheries Council meetings. (2001/C 46 E/173) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1233/00 by Rosemarie Müller (PSE) to the Commission (10 April 2000) Subject: Emergency phone number in the EU From one Member State to another in the European Union there are differing telephone numbers which may be called in an emergency. This actually means that few people know the relevant emergency number when staying in other Member States. The example of the USA shows how a single emergency number can simplify the calling of assistance. With this in mind: 1. How does the Commission view the fact that there are differing emergency numbers in the countries of the European Union? 2. Does the Commission agree that a single EU-wide emergency number would help improve the effectiveness of assistance in emergencies? 3. Does the Commission have any plans to introduce a single EU-wide emergency number? Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (3 May 2000) Council Decision 91/396/EEC of 29 July 1991, on the introduction of a single European emergency call number (1) requires the Member States to ensure that the number 112í is introduced in public telephone networks, ISDN networks and public mobile services. However it does not mandate its exclusive use but allows existing emergency call numbers to continue in parallel. In addition, the Voice Telephony Directive 98/10/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 1998 on the application of open network provision (ONP) to voice telephony and on universal service for telecommunications in a competitive environment (2) guarantees that users of fixed and mobile phones, including public payphones, can access the 112 emergency service free of charge. Although the Decision specified an introduction date of 31 December 1992, it allowed for derogations until 31 December 1996 in case of technical, financial, geographical or organisational difficulties. In the meantime, 112í is available free of charge from fixed and mobile phones and from public payphones in all Member States except Greece against which infringement proceedings have been opened. Several Member States have adopted 112í as the unique national emergency number and several major information campaigns have been funded with a view to develop its use both nationally and when travelling in the Community. Moreover, although not required by the Decision, in several Member States, calls are answered in several languages when necessary. Details can be found in a report dated January 1999 published by the Commission, available on the Internet at: http://www. ispo. cec. be/infosoc/telecompolicy/en/comm-en. htm