WRITTEN QUESTION E-1055/00 by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Cyprus.
C 46 E/112 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 13. 2. 2001 Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission (16 May 2000) The Commission has not produced any studies on the costs for individual Member States for the transition to the euro, neither does the Commission plan to produce a study on the subject. The Commission does not believe that studies focusing on the costs for the transition to the euro could be complete or relevant. Although it is true that the change over to the euro results in costs, it should be noted that the transition to euro also has a revenue side. Reports focusing on costs only would therefore not be able to provide a complete picture of the question. As for the question of independent studies, there are a number of studies made by banks, accounting firms and law firms. However, the Commission cannot and should not recommend one or other of these studies. (2001/C 46 E/120) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1053/00 by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission (4 April 2000) Subject: Draft proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the protection of pedestrians and other road users in the event of a collision with a motor vehicle I understand that this subject was discussed at a meeting of the Working Group on Motor Vehicles. What was the conclusion of these discussions, and when will the proposal for a Directive be forwarded to Parliament? Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (8 June 2000) The matter of pedestrian protection was tackled at the meeting of the working party on motor vehicles held in March 2000. A certain number of factors was examined at that time. Since no conclusion was reached the discussions will have to continue on 5-6 June 2000. The comments and suggestions concerning pedestrian protection made on that occasion will be taken into consideration when a text is finalised. The Commission shall not fail to inform all involved of the long-term progress made, and thus of the timetable adopted for this matter. (2001/C 46 E/121) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1055/00 by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission (4 April 2000) Subject: Cyprus Could the Commission confirm or deny reports that Cypriot citizens will be denied their right to freedom of movement when Cyprus joins the EU unless Turkey joins simultaneously? In the House of Commons on 15 February 2000 (Hansard Column 781), the Rt Hon Robin Cook MP, Her Majestyís Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, made the following announcement in relation to the accession of Cyprus to the EU: Freedom of movement between the Republic of Cyprus and the occupied northern sector would apply only if Turkey simultaneously joined the EU. 13. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 46 E/113 Does this statement reflect the views of the Commission? Could the Commission state whether any citizens of the Republic of Cyprus will be denied their right to freedom of movement when Cyprus joins the EU? If the answer to this question is yes, could the Commission explain why Cypriot citizens are to be denied (on an indefinite basis) the basic rights afforded by the Treaties? Could the Commission justify the decision to discriminate against Cypriot citizens in this way? Could the Commission explain why the decisions on the accession of Cyprus are being linked to EU relations with a foreign country which maintains an illegal occupation force in the Republic of Cyprus, contrary to the stated position of the UN, the European Parliament, the European Council and the overwhelming majority of the international community? Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission (4 May 2000) The European Council meeting in Helsinki in December 1999 concluded that á a political settlement will facilitate the accession of Cyprus to the European Union. If no settlement has been reached by the completion of accession negotiations, the Councilís decision on accession will be made without the above being a precondition. In this the Council will take account of all the relevant factors. í As the Honourable Member is aware, the result of the de facto division of the island into two strictly separated parts is that the fundamental freedoms laid down by the Treaties and in particular freedom of movement of goods, people, services and capital, right of establishment and the universally recognised political, economic, social and cultural rights cannot today be exercised over the entirety of the islandís territory. These freedoms and rights would have to be guaranteed as part of a comprehensive settlement restoring constitutional arrangements covering the whole of the Republic of Cyprus. Without prejudice to a case by case appraisal of requests for transitional measures, the Commission takes the view that transitional arrangements can be negotiated provided that they are necessary, appropriate and do not put into question the acceptance of the acquis communautaire by the new Member States. In some cases they must be accompanied by a plan with clearly defined stages for the application of the acquis including investments. The Commission considers that the enlargement negotiations and the attempts currently being made in the United Nations to find a political solution to the Cyprus problem are mutually reinforcing processes between which coherence should be assured. While a political solution to the Cyprus question is not a pre- condition for accession, it is the objective of the Union that a united Cyprus joins the Union. The Commission recalls the invitation of the Cypriot government to the Turkish Cypriots to take part in the accession process. (2001/C 46 E/122) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1058/00 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: Exemptions from the ban on leaded petrol (4 April 2000) The fuels directive which came into effect in October 1998 lays down strict limits for the sulphur content of both petrol and diesel motor fuels. In that directive it was also decided to abandon the use of leaded petrol. The time limit for the use of leaded petrol expired at the end of last year, but France, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece were granted an extension for the use of leaded and high-sulphur fuels