WRITTEN QUESTION E-0036/00 by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission. Constanta-Trieste oil pipeline project.
C 280 E/164 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 10. 2000 the Earthquake Furthermore, recent studies by eminent seismologists, such as Karl Buckthought of Forecasts Incorporation, conclude that there is a 50 % probability of a Richter Scale 7 earthquake occurring within the next 40 years which will completely destroy the reactor with the loss of millions of human lives. In the light of the above and the new circumstances created by the recent disastrous earthquakes, in what manner will the Council intervene to enable Turkey to acquire the financial means to develop renewable energy sources and to call off the construction of the nuclear plant? Reply (16 March 2000) The Council is well aware of the importance of nuclear safety in third countries and has initiated a series of actions, in particular through assistance programmes. On 7 December 1998, the Council adopted conclusions on nuclear safety in the context of the enlargement of the European Union (1) which give a clear message to candidate countries on the importance to be given to nuclear safety. The Council shares the views of the Honourable Parliamentarian on the need to promote the development of renewable energy sources. In this context, it underlines that the promotion of renewable sources of energy in countries of the Mediterranean regions, including Turkey, is mainly ensured through cooperation within the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and its principal financial instrument, the MEDA Programme, and through the SYNERGY Programme, which is one of the specific programmes in the international field within the multiannual Framework Programme for actions in the energy sector (2). Both Programmes provide for actions which contribute to the achievement of the objectives of energy policy: security of supply, competitiveness and protection of the environment and have particular components for the development of renewable energy sources. The implementation of these Programmes is the responsibility of the Commission. (1) Doc. 13677/98 (Presse 431-G). (2) OJ L 7, 13. 1. 1999, p. 16. (2000/C 280 E/187) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0036/00 by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission (19 January 2000) Subject: Constanta-Trieste oil pipeline project According to various reports in the press, two projects for the construction of a new oil pipeline linking the Romanian port of Constanta to the Italian port of Trieste are currently under examination, one by the Italian company ENI and one by an American consortium. The pipeline would cross Hungary and Slovenia and would also provide oil to these two applicant countries. Does the Commission not think it would be advisable to support the construction of this pipeline, particularly in the light of recent ecological disasters, such as the oil slicks in the VendØe and the Bosphorus strait, and also in order to promote improved access to the Transcaucasus, the diversification of energy supply routes for the countries of central and south-east Europe and the development of the ports of Supsa and Constanta? Has the Commission already taken or does it intend to take any initiatives on this matter? 3. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 280 E/165 Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (23 February 2000) The Commission recognises the importance of the Constanta-Trieste oil pipeline for reducing environ- mental risks associated with transporting oil across the Bosphorus, and for diversifying the energy supply base of the countries of South Eastern Europe by giving them access to the resources of the Caspian region, inter alia via the Trans-Caucasian corridor and the seaports of the west coast of the Black Sea, including the oil port of Constanta. The Commission would remind the Honourable Member of the Communityís position on the importance of resources from the Caspian Sea region for European energy supplies, the need to have a number of safe supply routes to the European and international markets, and the importance of investors building such routes on the basis of commercial criteria. Consequently, in view of the impending enlargement of the Community and in the interests of secure energy supplies, the Commission has been implementing an interstate technical assistance programme (Inogate-Interstate oil and gas transport to Europe) since 1995, being aware of the need to facilitate the integration of oil transport networks between the former Soviet Union, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Community. The aim of the programme is to develop cooperation between the countries in these regions to create the conditions to attract public and private investment in the rehabilitation and modernisation of existing networks and the development of new technically and economically viable and environmentally sound routes. In institutional terms the programme has enabled a new system to be developed for cross-border transport of oil and gas compatible with international standards: the Inogate Umbrella Agreement. This has so far been signed by representatives of the Governments of 16 countries in Central Asia, the Caucasus, Central and Eastern Europe (accession candidates, including Romania) and the Balkans. It has facilitated the emergence of a variety of projects linking the Caspian Basin to European markets via the Trans-Caucasian corridor, the port of Supsa and ports on the Western shore of the Black Sea. These included the Constanta-Trieste, Odessa-Gdansk, Burgas-Alexandropoulis and Burgas-Vlore projects. Although it does not wish to express any preferences, the Commission recognises the importance of the Constanta-Trieste project for the markets of South-Eastern Europe. The Romanian authorities intend to organise a meeting under the Inogate Agreement in the near future bringing together the industry ministers of the countries which might be concerned by the corridor to identify the institutional and technical pre-conditions before submitting the final project to interested private and institutional investors. The Commission is willing to provide technical assistance under the Inogate programme to the Govern- ments of Romania and any other countries that may be involved to help prepare and, if it is adopted, implement the project. (2000/C 280 E/188) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0056/00 by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: The choice of cultural and ethnic categories on equal opportunities forms What is the Commissionís view of the contents of a recent Monitoring of EQUAL Opportunities Policyí form, distributed by the European section of a large political party, which used the following classifications of cultural and ethnic origin áas recommended by the (UK) Commission for Racial Equalityí: White, Black Caribbean, Black African, Black Other, Indian, Irish, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Asian, Other; why there should be an Irishí category distinct from the broad classification of áwhiteí (whereas no other EU Member State is deemed different enough to warrant such a distinction) and whether requesting that citizens from Ireland should be asked to distinguish themselves differently on such a form is legally permissible?