WRITTEN QUESTION E-2727/99 by Ulpu Iivari (PSE) to the Council. Right of EU citizens to use their own cars in another Member State.
24. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 303 E/99 the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation on 22 May 1996, conscientious objection to military service does not constitute corpus delicti, even in absence of the law on alternative civilian service. Meanwhile, respect for the right of citizens to conscientious objection and the rapid introduction of the alternative civilian service were two of the main conditions for Russiaís being accepted as a Member State of the Council of Europe in 1996. What kind of measures does the Council intend to undertake in order to require the authorities of the Russian Federation to cease the criminal prosecution of Dmitry Neverovsky and the hundreds of Russian conscientious objectors and to respect the constitutionally and internationally guaranteed rights of Russian citizens and the international obligations of the Russian Federation? Reply (10/11 April 2000) The Council took note of the Resolution of the European Parliament of 20 January expressing grave concern at the sentencing of Mr Neverovsky to two years of imprisonment for having protested against the war in Chechnya, as allowed by the Russian constitution. The Presidency asked the Heads of Mission in Moscow to enquire into the case of Mr Neverovsky. Should the allegations be substantiated, the Heads of Mission would, without delay, bring the issue up with the competent Russian authorities. (2000/C 303 E/093) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2727/99 by Ulpu Iivari (PSE) to the Council (13 January 2000) Subject: Right of EU citizens to use their own cars in another Member State One of the fundamental rights of EU citizens is the right to move freely to other Member States of the Union and spend time there. For example, many pensioners from Nordic countries make prolonged temporary visits to other Member States. Many of them wish to use their own cars registered in their home states. However, the national legislation of many Member States restricts the length of time for which a car registered in another Member State may be used. Does the Council propose to take steps to ensure that nationals of one EU country can themselves use their own cars registered in their home country while they are staying in another Member State? Reply (10/11 April 2000) Under the Treaty, the Commission alone is entitled to propose changes to the current situation. So 1. far, no proposal to that effect has been presented by the Commission and, as far as the Council is aware, there is no road traffic proposal in the pipeline. For the time being, then, the Council cannot take any action in this area. As regards taxation, under Directive 83/182/EEC concerning the temporary use of vehicles Member 2. States are obliged to authorise the tax-free temporary use of vehicles for a period, continuous or otherwise, of not more than six months in any twelve months. The Council would also inform the Honourable Member that on 16 February 1998 the Commission 3. adopted a proposal for a Council Directive governing the tax treatment of private motor vehicles moved permanently to another Member State in connection with a transfer of residence or used temporarily in a Member State other than that in which they are registered. That proposal is being examined by Council bodies