WRITTEN QUESTION E-0347/00 by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Trade.
21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/135 tasks on energy and Moreover, approximately 200 officials are dealing with important horizontal transport, including internal market issues, international co-operation, environmental protection, informa- tion, communication and dissemination of technologies, as well as Trans-European networks. Because of the integrated approach to energy and transport issues, it is not possible to specify the exact breakdown between energy and transport for these officials. It should be noted however, that a significant number of officials working in horizontal directorates have important tasks related to renewable energy policy and technology promotion, for example with regard to environmental protection and dissemination of innovative technologies. In total, therefore, promotion of renewable energy has been strengthened in the new organisation. (2000/C 330 E/152) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0347/00 by Jaime Valdivielso de CuØ (PPE-DE) to the Commission (14 February 2000) Subject: Trade French lorry drivers started a protest including, among other things, blocking the most important roads in France. This behaviour constitutes a violation of one of the principles of the European Union ü the free movement of goods ü and is affecting Spain in particular, since its products have to pass through France. Can the Commission explain what steps it will take to ensure the free movement of goods in the European Union? What sanctions does it envisage imposing to punish such behaviour? What compensation is envisaged for the businesses which have suffered? Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission (27 March 2000) The Honourable Member has drawn the Commissionís attention to the serious economic impact of the border blockades imposed by French lorry drivers in recent weeks. The Commission would like to stress that under Community law it is the responsibility of the Member States to take all necessary and proportionate measures to restore the free movement of goods in their territory when events of this nature occur. The Commission would also point out that it is for the Member States to pay compensation to individuals who have suffered as a result of violations of Community law for which these Member States are held to be responsible. Moreover, the entry into force of Council Regulation (EC) No 2679/98 of 7 December 1998 on the functioning of the internal market in relation to the free movement of goods among the Member States (1) provided the Commission with a legal instrument which gives it the power to take rapid action in this type of situation. It should also be emphasised that this Regulation obliges Member States to inform the Commission of unforeseen actions by private individuals which might have a serious impact on the free movement of goods. The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that, with regard to the dispute of 31 January and 1 February 2000, the French authorities sent a note to the Commission on Friday 28 January in which they undertook to give their European partners as much real-time information as possible and to facilitate the free movement of goods, whilst respecting the workersí right to strike. C 330 E/136 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 Also under the above Regulation, on Monday 31 January 2000 the Commission requested more information from the French authorities concerning the dispute and the measures which were likely to be implemented in order to restore the free movement of goods. The French authorities provided this information in their reply of 1 February 2000, pointing out that instructions had been given to the law enforcement authorities to set up alternative routes and to distribute the necessary information to those concerned. They also added that measures would be taken to allow any subsequent claims for compensation to be dealt with under Article L. 2216-3 of the general code for local authorities. The Commission would like to draw the Honourable Memberís attention to the fact that the blockades set up during the recent disputes were lifted in a relatively short time compared with other occasions in the recent past. The Commission believes this is certainly due in part to the implementation of Council Regulation No 2679/98 and the steps taken by the economic operators involved. (1) OJ L 337, 12. 12. 1998. (2000/C 330 E/153) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0350/00 by Rosa Díez GonzÆlez (PSE), Fernando PØrez Royo (PSE) and Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission (14 February 2000) Subject: Public aid in the electricity sector in Spain: costs borne by the consumer To date Spanish consumers have paid more than Ptas 300 000 million for the CTC (costs of transition to competition) approved by the Government and defined by the Commission, in principle, as illegal public aid. Does the Commission consider that action must be taken to put an immediate end to this situation? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (21 March 2000) The Commission is closely examining this very complex dossier which would in fact appear to be a case of state aid granted without prior notification. However, as the Commission pointed out to the Honourable Members in its reply to written question E-0165/00 (1), in accordance with the Courtís case law the unlawful nature of a state aid measure, i. e. the fact that it was granted without prior notification to the Commission, does not prejudge its compatibility with the common market. The Commission consequently does not plan at this stage to apply Article 11(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty (2) to request the Member State to suspend payment of the aid. Needless to say, it will take account of the amounts already paid when it takes its final decision on the case. (1) See page 96. (2) OJ L 83, 27. 3. 1999. (2000/C 330 E/154) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0354/00 by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) and Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Rising cost of motor vehicle liability insurance (14 February 2000) Since 1994, the year in which charges for compulsory motor vehicle liability insurance were deregulated, there has been an alarming increase in the premiums charged to motorists. This year insurance charges in Italy are set to rise by between 30 and 60 %, an increase which will applied by all the companies present