WRITTEN QUESTION E-2850/99 by Bartho Pronk (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Conversion of driving licences for migrant workers.
C 330 E/62 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 (2000/C 330 E/067) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2840/99 by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Total number of applications relating to climate change research received in the first round of Calls for Proposals What is the total number of applications received in the first round of Calls for Proposals under the Fifth Framework Programme which were considered relevant to sub-sections of the Fifth Framework Programme relating to understanding climate change? How many of these were selected for funding, and how many applications considered either ágood or excellentí in terms of their science and technology have not bee funded or selected for negotiations on the award of a research contract? Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission (15 February 2000) The total number of proposals in the first round of calls for proposals of the Fifth framework programme relevant to understanding climate change were approximately 85 out of which 35 were evaluated as eligible for funding. Unfortunately, due to the available budget only 15 could be funded. (2000/C 330 E/068) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2850/99 by Bartho Pronk (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Conversion of driving licences for migrant workers Council Directive 91/439/EEC (1) of 29 June 1999 on driving licences makes it possible for driving licences issued by the Member States to be converted into driving licences of another Member State. Under certain circumstances, Member States may also extend driving licences issued by other Member States. How do the provisions operate in practice? Does the Commission have any information about this? 1. What problems arise? 2. If the Commission does not have any information about the operation of the directive, will it make inquiries? Complaints about the matter are by no means uncommon, because national authorities are not always aware of the provisions of the directive. (1) OJ L 237, 24. 8. 1991, p. 1. Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (13 March 2000) Article 8(1) of Council Directive 91/439/EEC of 29 July 1991 on driving licenses (1) provides that a holder of a driving license may request that it be exchanged for an equivalent license in the country where he has taken up normal residence. Article 8(3) describes the procedure to be followed when a license is exchanged. These provisions were correctly transposed into national law by the Member States and there have been no complaints from the public in relation thereto. However, the Commission deals with many complaints, petitions and enquiries from people who have problems regarding the recognition or renewal of their driving licenses, resulting from the application of provisions governing the period of validity of driving licenses and the frequency of medical checks. Article 21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/63 1(3) of Directive 91/439/EEC stipulates that Where the holder of a valid national driving license takes up normal residence in a Member State other than that which issued the license, the host Member State may apply to the holder of the license its national rules on the period of validity of the license, medical checks, í. The Commission has brought infringement proceedings against several Member States for failing to transpose this provision properly into national law. (1) OJ L 237, 24. 8. 1991. (2000/C 330 E/069) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2863/99 by Laura GonzÆlez `lvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Environmental impact of the ásouthern optioní for the proposed Oropesa-Cabanes road link (Spain) The Ministry of Public Works of the Generalitat Valencia (the regional government of the Valencian Community) is planning to build a road link between Oroposea and La ValldíAlba. However, the route proposed for the Oropesa-Cabanes stretch ( 41 ü C-1358(3)í) would have an extremely negative environ- mental impact, especially should the ásouthern optioní be chosen. The proposed road would wreak severe environmental damage, with ground being levelled and huge embankments being created. It would also, by reason of its proximity, have an adverse effect on the protected wilderness area of El Desierto de Las Palmas, as well as affecting some seventy caves of major speleological interest, including the underground lake of líUllal de la Rambla de Miravet, in which a new species of crustacean, Typhalatya miravetensisí, has been discovered. Substantial harm would also be caused to a number of species of flora which are of particular interest, such as Eucogum valentinumí, and the survival of five species of fauna which are unique in the world, including the beetle Ildobates nebotií, would be endangered. The road would also affect numerous livestock routes, causing grave problems for farmers and stockbreeders. Complaints against the proposals have been made by the management council of the protected wilderness area of El Desierto de Las Palmas, by the Cabanes municipal council meeting in full session, by farmersí and stockbreedersí organisations, by ecological, citizensí rights, social, cultural, sporting and tourist promotion associations, and by hundreds of intellectuals, artists and private individuals who have signed petitions. The proposals may also be in breach of a number of regional (Valencian) and national (Spanish) laws, not to mention the following EU directives: 97/62/EEC (1) and 92/43/EEC (2) on habitats and wild fauna and flora; 85/337/EEC (3) on environmental impact; and 80/68/EEC on underground waters, as well as Regulation 3528/86 (4) on the protection of forests. In view of the above, can the Commission, with specific reference to this project, ascertain whether it complies with the directives and the regulation named above, and call on the Spanish authorities to take the precautionary step of immediately suspending all work and all activity on it in the area concerned, especially as regards the ásouthern optioní for the proposed road? (1) OJ L 305, 8. 11. 1997, p. 42. (2) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992, p. 7. (3) OJ L 175, 5. 7. 1985, p. 40. (4) OJ L 326, 21. 11. 1986, p. 21. Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (22 February 2000) The proposed route mentioned by the Honourable Member would run alongside the natural area of El Desierto de las Palmas, as identified by the Spanish authorities in their national list of areas of Community interest that could be included in the Natura 2000 network under Council Directive 92/43/ EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. The species mentioned in this written question are not included in the Annexes to the habitat Directive