WRITTEN QUESTION E-0291/00 by Jan Wiersma (PSE) to the Commission. Phare programme for Croatia.
C 303 E/172 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 24. 10. 2000 Does this arrangement contravene the principle of equality implied in Community law? Could any steps be taken under Community law to change the provisions? Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission (16 March 2000) Rules on acquiring or losing nationality are governed exclusively by the national law of each Member State. This was made quite clear in Declaration No 2 annexed to the Treaty on European Union, which states that áthe question whether an individual possesses the nationality of a Member State shall be settled solely by reference to the national law of the Member State concerned. í (2000/C 303 E/193) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0285/00 by Claude Desama (PSE) to the Commission (11 February 2000) Subject: Proposed merger between Worldcom and Sprint The proposed merger between Sprint and MCI Worldcom constitutes a market threat to the European Internet backbone network. Together, the two companies would hold a dominant position in the USA, enabling them to charge increased fees to network operators and users. The new merged company would be able to take advantage of its control over critical intersections to make a profit from the provision of data transmission and data switching services worldwide on Internet. How does the Commission intend to respond to this anti-competitive arrangement? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (7 March 2000) The proposed merger between Spring and MCI WorldCom was notified to the Commission on 11 January 2000 so that it could be scrutinised for compatibility with the common market. As in 1998 when examining the merger between MCI and WorldCom, the Commission will carefully study the effects of combining the respective activities of Sprint and MCI WorldCom on the Internet market. If the Commission found that the proposed merger would create or reinforce a dominant position, the parties concerned would have to suggest appropriate ways of resolving the competition problems which this would pose. (2000/C 303 E/194) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0291/00 by Jan Wiersma (PSE) to the Commission (11 February 2000) Subject: Phare programme for Croatia In view of the positive outcome of the elections in Croatia on 3 January 2000, will the Commission reconsider the suspension of the Phare programme for Croatia? 24. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 303 E/173 Reply given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (15 March 2000) In view of recent political developments in Croatia the Commission has introduced a number of measures clearly indicative of its full support and encouragement for the democratisation process. This process marks the beginning of a new stage in relations between that country and the European Union. High-level representatives such as the new leaders of Croatia, the President of the Commission and the Member of the Commission responsible for external relations have exchanged visits. The first meeting of the Joint EU-Croatia Consultative Task Force set up by the General Affairs Council on 24 January 2000 was held on 15 February this year. The Council has also asked the Commission to draw up a report on the feasibility of starting negotiations on a stabilisation and association agreement. A Commission fact-finding mission to Croatia at the beginning of March will make an initial assessment of the countryís needs and priorities as a preliminary to drawing up a programme of Community aid for Croatia for this year. On the particular question of Croatiaís eligibility for Phare aid, it should be remembered that this spring the Commission will be presenting a new programme for the Western Balkans as a whole. Thereafter the Phare programme will focus on the applicant countries whilst the new programme will replace the Phare and Obnova programmes for the Balkan States including Croatia. Croatia will receive aid under this programme as soon as it enters into force. (2000/C 303 E/195) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0310/00 by Lutz Goepel (PPE-DE) to the Commission (11 February 2000) Subject: Studies by the Institute for Economic and Consumer Law for the Commission Can the Commission provide a list of the studies it had carried out by the Institute for Economic and Consumer Law in Berlin from 1991 to 1999? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (16 March 2000) Between 1991 and 1999 the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection commissioned three studies from the European Institute for Economic and Consumer Law (Vereinigtes Institut für Europäisches Wirtschafts- und Verbraucherrecht). The first study concerned the collection and analysis of German case law on unfair terms in consumer contracts. The contract, concluded in 1995, was for 81 000 Euro. The second study concerned doorstep selling, pyramid sales and multi-level marketing. The contract, concluded in 1998, was for € 67 900. The third study concerned the feasibility of a general legislative framework on fair trade. The contract, concluded in 1999, was for € 78 400