WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3088/98 by Hiltrud BREYER to the Commission. Danube development project
C 135/166 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 14. 5. 1999 − Does the Commission know of any plans of this nature? − Has the Commission come across any plans in this regard in connection with the review of the Schengen acquis, and at what stage are they? − What is the specific content of these plans? − How is the problem of the differences between the substance and procedure of the regulations in force in the various Member States to be solved? Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (11 November 1998) 1. to 3. Until the Amsterdam Treaty incorporating the Schengen acquis into the Union framework comes into effect, Schengen work falls within the intergovernmental framework, and the Commission is unable to give any details regarding it. 4. Within the field of Justice and Home Affairs, work was concluded in June 1998 in the Council, with the Commission’s participation, establishing a convention between all Member States ensuring that traffic offences leading to disqualification from driving committed in another Member State than where the offender is residing, will be given effect by the Member State of residence, when the offender returns there. This convention was adopted by the Council on 17 June 1998, and has to be ratified by the Member States before it enters into force. (1999/C 135/206) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3088/98 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (16 October 1998) Subject: Danube development project The Commission’s letter of 28 October 1997 reminding the Federal Republic of Germany of its obligations obviously had no effect. What action does the Commission intend to take to ensure that the Federal Government and the Land of Bavaria delay no longer in designating the area as protected? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (19 November 1998) the As already stated in its reply to the Honourable Member’s Written Question E-3095/97 (1), Commission has decided to deal with this case within the infringement proceedings concerning the insufficient designation of special protected areas according to the Council Directive 79/409/EEC (2) of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds in Germany. The area concerned, as well as other areas along the river Danube, is specifically highlighted in the context of this general procedure. In the context of these infringement proceedings, the Commission sent a supplementary letter of formal notice to the German authorities. The German authorities replied and also notified the designation of a range of areas as special protected areas. However, given that neither the reply nor the designation of further areas are considered sufficient with a view to the obligation under the Directive 79/409/EEC, the Commission has decided to address a reasoned opinion to the Germany. (1) OJ C 134, 30. 4. 1998. (2) OJ L 103, 25. 4. 1979