WRITTEN QUESTION E-0596/00 by Ioannis Marínos (PPE-DE) and Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Turkish ministers' disagreements and concerns about Akkuyu ‐ European strategy for nuclear safety.
21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/189 Together they will be in a dominant position. This will enable them to charge higher prices for carrying and switching global Internet traffic. Will the Commission carry out an urgent review of the proposed new merger between Sprint and MCI WorldCom and ensure that such a merger does not go ahead as it would have serious consequences for European wholesale (ISP) and retail customers (Internet users)? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (27 March 2000) The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that the Commission is carefully assessing the merger between MCI WorldCom and Sprint. The Commission decided on 21 February 2000 to enter into a four months full investigation of the impact the merger may have on competition in the common market. The Commission already in 1998 examined the effects of the merger between MCI and WorldCom on the market for the provision of Internet connectivity. The Commissionís investigation in the current transac- tion is also this time first and foremost focusing on the market for the provision of top level connectivity services in the Internet (i. e. those networks to which anybody must directly or indirectly have access in order to get universal reach on the Internet). In addition, the Commission is investigating the market for the provision of global telecommunications services to multinational corporations and the market for termination into the United States of international calls originated in the Community. If the Commissionís investigation concludes that the merger will lead to a creation or a strengthening of a dominant position in any of these markets, the parties have the possibility to propose remedies to eliminate these concerns. The final decision on this transaction is expected by early July 2000. (2000/C 330 E/217) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0596/00 by Ioannis Marínos (PPE-DE) and Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission (29 February 2000) Subject: Turkish ministersí disagreements and concerns about Akkuyu ü European strategy for nuclear safety The Turkish Environment Minister, Ms Aykut, stated at the conference in Mersin on 2 February 2000 that she was not fully informed about the dangers arising from the construction of a nuclear power plant at Akkuyu, that comprehensive information on the power plant had not been provided and that she was personally opposed to the construction of a nuclear power station. The Turkish Minister for Tourism, Mr Mumcu, expressed similar opposition in the newspaper Cumhuriyet, emphasising that Akkuyu is only 120 kilometres from the tourist beaches of Mersin. In addition, Mr Ulug, professor at Izmir University, has said that áthe stance adopted by those who favour the construction of a nuclear power plant in an earthquake-prone area is an outrageí. Finally, Greenpeace spokesperson Ms Keskin has stated that áin the event of an accident radiation would contaminate not only Turkey, but also Cyprus, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, North Africa and even the Caucasusí. 1. Could the Commission say what its position is with regard to the above statements, which very clearly demonstrate opposition to and pronounced unease over the planned construction of a nuclear power plant at Akkuyu and also over the consequences that this will have for the environment, tourism and the health of millions of citizens living in southern Turkey and neighbouring countries, including EU citizens, since the region where the plant will be established is one of considerable seismic activity? C 330 E/190 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 In view of the Council decision that Turkey is a candidate State destined to join the Union on the 2. basis of the same criteria as applied to the other candidate Statesí and the positions adopted by the Council, the Commission and Parliament concerning nuclear safety and enlargement, what action will the Commission take to prevent the construction of a nuclear power plant in an earthquake-prone area, which the Turks themselves describe as an outrage? 3. Is it possible for Community funding to be given to support energy sector activities for the development of nuclear power stations in earthquake-prone areas within the framework of the customs union and the regulations concerning economic and social development with Turkey, when there are such the principles of crucial concerns and when Parliament has expressly called on Turkey to respect sustainable development? Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission (28 March 2000) The Honourable Member should refer to the Commissionís answer to the oral question H-0781/99 that was asked by Mr Souladakis during the January 2000 session question time (1). The Commission would add that it has no intention of using Community funds to support in any way the building of nuclear reactors in Turkey. (1) Debates of the European Parliament (January 2000). (2000/C 330 E/218) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0606/00 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: European Day for Tolerance (3 March 2000) The past century bore witness to countless attacks on freedom of expression, killings for crimes of conscience, cases of torture on racial and religious grounds and other atrocities contrary to the notion of the human being as a free entity. The sense of collective shame we must feel as a result of this should form the basis for a constant refusal ever to repeat the countless mistakes made in this respect. As the spectre of a possible return to the errors of the past looms once more on the horizon threatening the peaceful co-existence of European democratic society, perhaps we might consider the creation of an annual European Day for Tolerance. Will the Commission indicate whether it would consider using its right of initiative to propose that each year the European Union set aside a day to celebrate tolerance as the very cornerstone upon which European co-existence is built? Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (25 April 2000) The Commission deplores all crimes against peopleís fundamental rights and supports the notion of peaceful co-existence. However, the Commission does not intend to propose an annual European day for tolerance