WRITTEN QUESTION P-2422/99 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Subsidies for coal and nuclear energy.
18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/171 The Community-United States understanding of 18 May 1998 represents a package of commitments by both sides that attempt a full resolution of the bilateral issues raised by the United States extra-territorial legislation. This package forestalls action by the Community in the World trade organisation (WTO) to have this legislation declared incompatible with the United Statesí multilateral trade commitments. Since that understanding was reached, there has so far been no action against Community companies or individuals under the Helms-Burton Act. The Community did, however, make it clear, at the time of the understanding, that its commitment not to seek to establish a WTO panel against the Helms-Burton or Iran/Libya Sanctions Acts only stood as long as no action were taken against Community companies or individuals under these Acts. In recent high-level contacts with the United States, the Commission has made its position on the issue of Helms-Burton and the Communityís concerns about the Sol-MeliÆ case unequivocally clear. The United States has been urged to honour its commitments under the 18 May 1998 package with regard to Title IV of the Helms-Burton Act. The Commission is following this matter very closely and will keep the Parliament informed of any significant new developments. (2000/C 203 E/221) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2409/99 by Manuel PØrez `lvarez (PPE-DE) to the Commission (16 December 1999) Subject: Falling birth rates in the EU The fact that the EUís population figures are falling is reflected in a birth rate lower than has even been known in peacetime or in a period without major epidemics, namely 1,45 children per woman. In the southern countries the rate is lower still, 1,2 in Spain, Portugal and Italy, and as low as 0,8 in certain regions such as Galicia, the East German länder and northern Italy. What is being done to study the phenomenon of the rapidly ageing European population? Have any measures been put forward with a view to stimulating the birth rate and increase the population? Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (21 December 1999) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question E-1830/99 by Mr Marínos (1). (1) OJ C 170 E, 20. 6. 2000, p. 110. (2000/C 203 E/222) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2422/99 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: Subsidies for coal and nuclear energy The White Paper on renewable energy requires the Commission to take action against the subsidisation of coal and nuclear energy. 1. What action has the Commission taken: (a) against direct subsidies for coal, (b) against indirect subsidies for coal, C 203 E/172 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 18. 7. 2000 (c) against direct subsidies for nuclear energy, (d) against indirect subsidies for nuclear energy? If no action has been taken, can the Commission say in what time frame practical steps will be 2. taken? 3. Can the Commission explain why numerous complaints about direct and indirect subsidisation of nuclear energy, e. g. the complaint about EdF and untaxed reserves of the German nuclear industry and references to unnotified aid, are not followed up and penalised by the Commission? Does the Commission agree that continued failure to meet 4. to terminate the subsidisation of coal and nuclear energy will signify a distortion of competition and an infringement of the Treaty and that the public are beginning to feel that the Commission is deliberately making the conditions of competition difficult for renewable energy? the requirement Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1999) With regard to coal, on 28 December 1993 the Commission approved the Community rules for State aid industry (Decision No 3632/93/ECSC) (1) which lay down for the period 1994-2002 a to the coal reduction of aid as part of plans for restructuring and reducing activity. In most cases, the pace of restructuring is governed by the need to find solutions to the associated social and regional problems. Indirect aid systems have been abolished. With regard to nuclear energy, the Euratom Treaty has no provisions concerning competition and State aid. Complaints about State aid being awarded for electricity production using nuclear energy within the Community have never been substantiated. The Commission is aware of the need to strengthen the promotion of renewable energy in order for the Community to reach its indicative target of 12 % for the contribution from renewable sources of energy to the Communityís energy consumption by 2010. The Commission recently launched the campaign for take- off aiming to stimulate private investment in this sector with an emphasis on near-market technologies, notably solar, wind and biomass. The Commission is currently considering further initiatives for promoting renewable energy, in particular measures related to the operation of the internal market for electricity. As indicated in the White Paper on renewable sources of energy (2), mentioned by the Honourable Member, a significantly increased market penetration for renewable energy is of key importance for achieving the Kyoto commitments on greenhouse emissions. As announced in the White Paper, the Commission is currently considering modifications to the Community guidelines for State aid for environmental protection so that they can take appropriate account of the need to strengthen the competitive position of renewable energy sources and their specific characteristics. (1) OJ L 329, 30. 12. 1993. (2) COM(97) 599 final. (2000/C 203 E/223) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2435/99 by Astrid Thors (ELDR) to the Commission (16 December 1999) Subject: Possible misuse of European Union funding According to an article published in the Sunday Times on 7 November 1999, young ravers are to be sent to Amsterdam, courtesy of the National Health Service and the European Union, for what critics claim is a course on drug cocktails