WRITTEN QUESTION P-0148/00 by Nicholas Clegg (ELDR) to the Commission. Croatia's accession to the WTO.
C 303 E/150 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 24. 10. 2000 (2000/C 303 E/162) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0148/00 by Nicholas Clegg (ELDR) to the Commission (24 January 2000) Subject: Croatiaís accession to the WTO In view of the recent election of a progressive new government in Croatia, could the Commission explain why Croatiaís accesison to the WTO has been stalled for several months due to objections from the European Union? What action is being taken to ensure that Croatia accedes to the WTO as soon as possible, in line with the EUís wider policy towards the Balkans? Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission (17 February 2000) The Commission is committed to a rapid conclusion of the negotiations on the accession of Croatia to the World trade organization (WTO). The political changes that are taking place in Croatia make it possible to follow a new path in bilateral relations. However, as this new path is one of closer integration with the Union this integration should not be made more difficult for both the Community and Croatia by the latterís terms of accession to the WTO. Negotiations with the interested parties continue and will be intensified in the weeks to come to reach soon a satisfactory conclusion. (2000/C 303 E/163) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0153/00 by Alonso Puerta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (31 January 2000) Subject: Barriers to free movement by road at French frontiers From 10 to 12 January 2000, road transport employersí organisations in France blocked the frontiers with Spain, Italy, Germany and Belgium, as well as the ports linking France and the United Kingdom, in protest at the law on the 35-hour week and the increase in the price of diesel oil. fruit and vegetables, with the busiest months for Spanish exporters of January is usually one of 6 000 million pesetas worth of exports expected to cross French frontiers by road each day, while there is a risk that the blockade will shortly lead to a supply surplus and a collapse of prices on the European market. What measures has the Commission taken or will it take to ensure that, in accordance with the rules in force, France compensates exporters and hauliers for the losses they have suffered, dealing with the claims promptly and providing adequate compensation commensurate with the damage caused? What further measures could the Commission take to restore freedom of movement in future if events similar to those in France recur? Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission (16 March 2000) The Honourable Member has drawn the Commissionís attention to the considerable economic impact on the Communityís fruit and vegetable companies of the border blockades imposed by French hauliers from 9 to 12 January 2000. The Commission would like to stress that it decided to implement the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 2679/98 of 7 December 1998 on the functioning of the internal market in relation to the free