WRITTEN QUESTION P-0641/00 by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Council. Austria and EU enlargement.
3. 4. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 103 E/3 (2001/C 103 E/002) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0112/00 by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (27 January 2000) Subject: Diversion of a high voltage power line in the locality of Merza (Galicia) A 400 kv high voltage power line between Mesón del Viento in Galicia and the locality of Lindoso on the Portuguese border, which was included in an operational programme in Galicia for the period 1990-1993 and received funding under the ERDF, was diverted from the route approved by the Commission on the initiative of the publicly-owned company Red ElØctrica de Espaæa S. A. and following a decision by the Galician Government with the result that, counter to the project which was originally approved, it now passes through the locality of Merza, which has 800 inhabitants. The Galician Governmentís decision, taken in 1996, is also in breach of EU regulations on combating the harmful effects of non-ionising radiation, which recommend that such power lines should pass through corridors which have no permanent activity or dwellings and stipulate that prior impact assessments must be carried out and that, at all events, compensation and expropriation schemes must be set up. Moreover, an action under the Leader programme is currently underway in Merza, which has been seriously affected by the existence of an unauthorised high voltage power line. Even though they have been approached on many occasions, neither the Galician nor the central Spanish authorities have taken the necessary measures to remedy this situation. Can the Commission report on the action it will take to remedy all the infringements of EU regulations which have been committed in Merza, thus giving its inhabitants the satisfaction which they deserve? Supplementary answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (3 July 2000) According to information received from the Spanish authorities, it does not appear that any transgression of Community legislation has taken place in regard to the project mentioned by the Honourable Member. The change in the route taken for the electricity line in question appears to have been made in accordance with the rules in force at the time. the Honourable Member has information to the contrary the Commission would be pleased to If investigate the matter further with the Spanish authorities. (2001/C 103 E/003) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0641/00 by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Council (25 February 2000) Subject: Austria and EU enlargement After 30 years of Socialist participation in government in Austria, a centre-right coalition has now been formed which is supported by a stable 57 % of Members of the Austrian Parliament. Moreover, more than 70 % of the population did not vote for the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ). Thirteen EU Member States, acting on the initiative of, and coordinated by, the Council President and President of the Socialist International, have decided on common measures in their relations with Austria. It is at precisely this juncture that 11 candidate countries are endeavouring to adapt their legal systems and develop market economies to enable themselves to join the European Union. C 103 E/4 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 4. 2001 Does the Council consider that the decision referred to above will strengthen the positive views of the candidates for accession, and especially the smaller States, regarding the advantages of EU membership and respect for their national identities (as is actually guaranteed in Article 6(3) of the Treaty on European Union)? What is the Councilís view of this way of proceeding in the light of Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union? Have the mechanisms for determining a possible breach of EU principles been complied with? If so, can the Council give the date on which the Austrian Government was invited to submit its observations? Reply (10 November 2000) The measures to which the Honourable Member is referring were set out in a declaration by the Portuguese Prime Minister on behalf of the governments of 14 Member States. This declaration is not binding on the Council. The Council has not taken a view on this issue, and is not therefore in a position to respond to any of the points raised in the Honourable Memberís question. (2001/C 103 E/004) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0813/00 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Council (20 March 2000) Subject: Possible withdrawal of Switzerlandís application for EU membership The way the 14 Member States have been treating Austria has prompted critical reactions both in and outside the EU. In Switzerland the parliamentary group of the Swiss Peopleís Party has tabled an urgent question calling on the Federal Council to withdraw the application for EU membership so as not to endanger the vote on the bilateral negotiations. It argues that the eventual rejection of the strategic objective of EU membership is inevitable and that the outrageous way in which Austria is being treated reveals the true face of Brussels to even the most fanatical supporter of the EU. to provide an opportunity for overcoming While occupied with its enlargement, which is meant a centuries-old division once and for all, the EU, with its strategy of isolating Austria, is falling out of favour with many European citizens and countries wanting to join. The boycott partnershipí, European cooperationí and Europe growing togetherí are empty words. imposed on the Republic of Austria shows that such common phrases as European With the Dialogue on Europeí initiative that was launched last February, the Commission wants to join with the European Parliament in helping to trigger a public debate on Europe. The aim is to bring Europe closer to its citizens. At the same time, however, the Council Presidency appears to be doing everything in its power with its political isolation of Vienna to put the Union in a bad light and ensure that it is no longer understood by its citizens. This is unfortunately giving forces critical of the EU a further boost. It is equally unfortunate that the decision taken by the 14 and behaviour such as that of the Belgian Foreign Minister and the French Finance Minister have set back the EU integration policy in Switzerland several years. The Council is therefore asked how and when it intends to stand up for democracy, tolerance and partnership in the form of a dialogue rather than exclusion and to do so in a way that all EU countries and citizens find trustworthy