WRITTEN QUESTION E-1080/00 by Jules Maaten (ELDR) to the Commission. Cigarette smuggling in European ports.
20. 3. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 89 E/9 (2001/C 89 E/007) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1080/00 by Jules Maaten (ELDR) to the Commission (7 April 2000) Subject: Cigarette smuggling in European ports 1. Is the Commission aware of the successful use of the new container scanner in the port of Rotterdam, resulting last year in the discovery of many million contraband cigarettes along with other smuggled goods, including drugs and alcohol? 2. Is the Commission prepared to encourage use of similar methods in other ports in the EU in order to counteract smuggling in cigarettes and other goods, and also to prevent ships going to ports where there are less effective checks? 3. What action can the Commission take in this respect? Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission (19 May 2000) The Commission is aware of the success of the new container scanner in Rotterdam, as well as scanners used in other Member States, and is working with Member States on a number of projects to improve customs controls. Such work promotes not only the use of modern equipment such as container scanners but also overall improvements in customs activities. One area of particular importance, and where an action plan is in the process of being implemented, relates to the use of risk analysis to ensure that containers selected for examination are those of greatest interest. Ongoing work also aims at increasing co-operation between major ports in order to ensure customs treatment is equivalent and, most particularly, to prevent traffic being diverted to avoid controls. One pilot project, in which the customs authorities of Rotterdam are heavily involved, will focus on the exchange of expertise between major ports on the use of container scanners and on the rapid exchange of information relating to main risk analysis areas. The results of these actions, which are financed under the Customs 2002 (1) modernisation programme, will be examined with Member Statesí customs administrations. The Commission will report on their outcome to Parliament in accordance with the terms of the Customs 2002 Decision. (1) Decision No 105/2000/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 1999 amending Decision No 210/ 97/EC adopting an action programme for customs in the Community (Customs 2000) and repealing Council Decision 91/341/EEC (OJ L 13, 19. 1. 2000). (2001/C 89 E/008) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1089/00 by Bartho Pronk (PPE-DE) to the Commission (7 April 2000) Subject: Further questions on the promise of financial aid to Kosovo On 13 March 2000, Commissioner Patten attempted to reply to my question P-2280/99 (1). The answers did not relate to the questions I had put. The question was not whether the Commission had drawn up estimates or proposals for making funds available for Kosovo. It was whether € 500 million had been promised on behalf of the Union. This question was not answered, despite the fact that the Treaty required the Commission to answer it