WRITTEN QUESTION E-2768/99 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Upkeep of European waterways.
21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/47 ü the principle of territorial continuity, which is the object of the above subsidies, is naturally based on the quality and quantity of the aforementioned ferry services; ü in Italy, services to and from Sardinia, which are provided by the company Tirrenia, and those to and from the smaller islands, which are provided by Caremar, Toremar and Siremar, have recently been carried out by prototypes of high-speed vessels known as HSCs; ü the above ferry companies are recipients of the subsidies in question, in connection with the services that they provide; ü the design characteristics of the above HSC prototypes, however, mean that they are not only subject to major constraints on sailing, by comparison with traditional ferries and hydrofoils, in equivalent adverse weather conditions, but are also frequently taken out of service for special maintenance work; ü the constraints on sailing and the frequent stoppages of the HSC prototypes owned by the above companies actually breach the principle of territorial continuity, which is essential for the payment of the subsidy referred to above, can the Commission state whether the above facts are true? In addition, can it take action vis-à-vis the competent authorities, if need be, to ensure that the quality and quantity of ferry services to islands reflect the principle of territorial continuity, the sole criterion for determining the admissibility of the subsidies? Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (3 March 2000) Concerning the principle of territorial continuity, the Commission would stress that the respect of such principle lies within national competence. Concerning the state aid case No C 64/99 (ex NN 68/99), the Commission is currently examining subsidy payments to Gruppo Tirreniaí. The opening of the investigation procedure was published in the Official journal (1). Since the Commission has not closed the investigation procedure yet, it is not yet possible to take position on the accuracy of the statements made in the Honourable Memberís question, in particular on the aspect of the use of high speed vessels. Nevertheless, in the framework of the aforementioned procedure the Commission is going to take account of aspects concerning the use of high speed vessels. (1) OJ C 306, 23. 10. 1999. (2000/C 330 E/052) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2768/99 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Upkeep of European waterways If fully used by inland navigation, Europeís network of waterways could make a major, environmentally compatible contribution towards solving the problem of mobility. Inland navigation has the potential to divert some goods transport from roads to waterways. However, transport by water has the disadvantage that a substantial proportion of the European network of waterways, and in particular the minor waterways, are not properly maintained and dredged and they are gradually silting up. To create a fine network of waterways serving as large an area as possible, governments would have to ensure that all these waterways can permit vessels with a draught of at least 2,5 metres. Can the Commission state whether it is prepared to take an initiative to support keeping open a large proportion of the (minor) European canals with a minimum navigable depth of 2,5 metres? C 330 E/48 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (14 March 2000) The Commission is convinced that inland navigation can make an important contribution to solve mobility problems by, where appropriate, relieving freight transport from congested road and railway lines. It considers inland navigation to be a cost-effective, safe and environmentally sound mode of transport, which has spare infrastructure and vessel capacity. At Community level, inland waterways are dealt with in the framework of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T). In this context, the Parliament and the Council adopted in 1996 Community guidelines for the development of the TEN-T (1). These guidelines identify the trans-European inland waterway network, as well as the main bottlenecks and missing links within the network. In order to ensure the interconnection and completion of this network, a considerable number of projects of common interest have been financially supported in recent years through the TEN-T budget. However, Community support is available only for projects within the trans-European inland waterway network, and this network consists only of the main routes within the European transport system. It is not a áfineí network of waterways and does not include the minor waterways. Similarly, the Community will only support the development of new or upgraded infrastructure, and not the maintenance of existing infrastructure. the Member States concerned are responsible for the development of their overall waterway network and for the improvement and maintenance of their inland waterways. In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, (1) OJ L 228, 9. 9. 1996. (2000/C 330 E/053) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2769/99 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Inclusion of inland navigation projects in the list of TEN priorities The problem of mobility is increasing all the time. Our roads are becoming clogged. As a result there is a groundswell of opinion in favour of shifting the transport of more and more goods to the railways or waterways. A glance at the list of priorities for developing the trans-European networks (TENs) shows that transport by waterways, specifically the use of inland waterways vessels, is only the third or fourth priority. This is very strange, particularly as this form of goods transport is very environmentally compatible, relatively cheap and particularly efficient. However, inland navigation has a considerable number of infrastructure problems, not least the existence of a lot of bottlenecks and the lack of connections between a number of major ports and their hinterlands. Does the Commission agree that better (infrastructure) support for inland navigation could make a 1. major contribution towards resolving the problem of mobility? Is the Commission prepared to assign greater priority in developing the TENs to removing some of 2. the bottlenecks and constructing a number of new waterways? 3. Is the Commission prepared to consult the European Shippers Organisation? Does the Commission have an overview of the main infrastructural problems in inland navigation? If 4. so, can I have a copy?