WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1703/98 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER to the Commission. Renewal of motor vehicles in the Community
22. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 402/153 recognised that the specification of public service obligations does not include the power to compel airlines to operate any given route, if no airline expresses its intention to respond to calls for tender. (1) OJ L 240, 24. 8. 1992. (2) OJ C 350, 10. 12. 1994. (3) OJ C 385, 19. 12. 1997. (98/C 402/204) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1699/98 by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (19 May 1998) Subject: Presidency of the EU and the WEU According to a decision of the European Council, the presidency of the EU and the WEU are to be combined. What arrangements are envisaged for the period of Finlandís Presidency, given that Finland is not a member of the WEU? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (11 June 1998) Although this matter does not concern the Commission directly, it would inform the Honourable Member of the following. At their meeting in Erfurt on 18 November 1997, the ministers of the Western European Union (WEU) approved a decision of the Permanent Council on harmonisation of the succession of the presidencies of the WEU and the European Union. That decision was communicated to the European Union and noted by the Council on 19 December 1997. Under that decision, where the presidency of the Union is held by a High Contracting Party to the modified Brussels Treaty, that Party will also hold the presidency of the WEU. In all other cases, the presidency of the WEU will be held by a High Contracting Party to the modified Brussels Treaty according to the current order of succession of the presidencies of the WEU. The new order of succession of the presidencies will come into force on 1 January 1999. In light of the above and the fact that Finland is not a member ipso jure of the WEU, Luxembourg will hold the presidency of the Council of the WEU when Finland holds the presidency of the Council from July 1999 to December 1999. (98/C 402/205) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1703/98 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (29 May 1998) Subject: Renewal of motor vehicles in the Community Statistics show that the number of private cars registered more than ten years ago is still alarmingly high, standing at more than 25 % of the national totals. Leaving aside the legitimate interests of the Community car industry to focus on other considerations such as road safety and the quality of life, there is no doubt that incentives should be provided to reduce the above percentage, which reaches 50. 62 % in Greece, 44. 15 % in Finland and 36. 29 % in Spain