WRITTEN QUESTION E-0108/00 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Crisis in the financial system and the Euro-Asian Development Bridge.
C 303 E/142 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 24. 10. 2000 Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (22 February 2000) The Commission welcomes the resumption of direct talks between Israel and Syria and hopes that further rounds of talks will soon be possible. The Commission shares the view that the Community must actively contribute to the peace process to help consolidate the progress made and thus help pave the way to a permanent settlement. It will seek to make an active contribution at the current crucial stage, not least in view of the implications that the new phase might have on the Community. On 24 January 2000, the General Affairs Council invited the Presidency, Special Envoy and Commission to pursue contacts with the parties to the peace process, as well as with the United States, with a view to maximising Community constructive input to all tracks of the peace process. In addition, the High Representative, Special Envoy and Commission were invited to examine in detail a number of issues on which the Community would be better placed to make a significant contribution, including security, water and refugees. The Commission will actively participate in such assessment with a view to further consideration by the Council in due course. (2000/C 303 E/154) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0108/00 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission (26 January 2000) Subject: Crisis in the financial system and the Euro-Asian Development Bridgeí It is no secret that the entire international financial system is in a state of crisis, since the áfinancial bubbleí has expanded to more than US$ 160 thousand billion and is probably about to burst. In the countries affected by speculation the adverse effects are obvious: a fall in production and the suspension of any innovative investment have brought about a rise in unemployment and the spread of poverty, with highly volatile social consequences. Furthermore, the Commission doubtless knows about the project called the large-scale infrastructure, which is Euro-Asian Development bridgeí, consisting of apparently being discussed by China, Russia, India, Iraq, Turkey and most other Asian countries, joined recently by Japan, who are drawing up measures for taking part in the projectís implementation. Since the projectís success depends on the use of advanced technologies and American and European machine tools, it seems obvious that the project cannot be executed without the active participation of Europe. the creation of Can the Commission say: 1. whether it has had the opportunity to assess the project; 2. if so, whether it does not consider that Europeís participation would have a stabilising effect on the real economy and employment in the Union countries; 3. whether it does not also consider that a project of this kind would help to reverse the current tendency to focus exclusively on the financial aspects of the economy, with all the attendant risks, the symptoms of which have been apparent in the last two years, and to promote a return to the real economy; 4. what might be the reasons militating against Europeís participation in the execution of the project; 5. what steps it intends to take to involve Europe in this major international debate? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (25 February 2000) Current opinion on the financial crisis in Asia and its impact on the real economy and the societies of the countries concerned is that the worst is over and that growth has recommenced in some of the countries 24. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 303 E/143 worst affected. There is general agreement that the spectre of world recession following the crisis and its repercussions on the rest of the world has faded. The Communityís position has been expressed on numerous occasions: the temptation of it stresses the need to keep the markets open and fight protectionism (the EU-Asia (ASEM) (1) trade deficit was EUR 87 000 million in 1998, double that of 1997), the importance of international aid and of bilateral as well as multilateral Community aid (including via the ASEM trust fund), and the need to continue with reform of the financial system in countries affected by the crisis and measures to deal with its social consequences. The Commission has had the opportunity to assess specific proposals relating to the major Eurasian landbridge project, notably in regard to transport. The Commission carried out an in-depth study which concluded that given the very long distances involved, for the foreseeable future maritime transport was more economical in linking Europe and the Far East than road, rail or canal transport, even if the Trans- Siberian remains the only real alternative (less attractive in current conditions than maritime transport). Under no circumstances should the Community participate financially in any transport objective relating to trade between Europe and the Far East. In regard to the building or rebuilding of infrastructures, it has been recommended that no Community financial commitment be undertaken to achieve transport objectives relating to Europe-Caucasus-Central Asia trade before a full financial and market study on the potential viability of the project is made. Any Community-financed measures to improve transit reliability, security and time-scales, on the other hand, must aim at bringing recipient countries into line with the acquis communautaire. In line with the general recommendations approved by the Commission, a project entitled Traceca has been launched. It concerns technical assistance for the creation of a west-east transport corridor, going from Europe, through the Black Sea, Caucasus and the Caspian Sea to Central Asia (22 projects for a total of EUR 30 million and 7 investment projects for infrastructure rehabilitation for a total of EUR 25 million have already been launched). Traceca supports the development of regional cooperation between the recipient countries and facilitates their integration into international economic trade. Synergy between it and the Trans European Network projects will be ensured. Traceca has also been a catalyst in leading such international financial institutions as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the World Bank to finance ports, roads and rail infrastructure on the Traceca route. (1) ASEM: Asia Europe Meeting. Asian partners: China, Japan, Korea, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam. (2000/C 303 E/155) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0118/00 by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Cost of processing a litre of milk Does the Commission know how much it would cost to process a litre of milk in Denmark and Holland? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (7 February 2000) The Commission does not have at its disposal data on the cost of processing a litre of milk in Denmark, the Netherlands or in any other Member State. It should be underlined that these processing costs may vary considerably depending on the type of product manufactured or on the size and structure of the processing plant