WRITTEN QUESTION E-0287/00 by Bartho Pronk (PPE-DE) to the Commission. EU number plates in Switzerland.
21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/117 Blends of olive oil of various origins are not prohibited and are even indispensable where the oils of certain regions are concerned if consumers are to have the qualities of oil they want to buy. This is an important difference from the wine sector. Research continues at Community level on a databank for olive oil as mentioned by the Honourable Member and the Commission is closely monitoring progress. But the geographical characteristics of olive oils emerge as statistical averages and absolute proof of origin for a particular lot is rarely possible. The situation is much more complex again in the case of the inevitable blends of olive oils from different varieties, soil types or geographical origins. The Commission therefore considers that at the moment a Community olive oil databank for fraud- fighting purposes is not a priority. (2000/C 330 E/130) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0287/00 by Bartho Pronk (PPE-DE) to the Commission (11 February 2000) Subject: EU number plates in Switzerland In point 3 of his reply to my question E-4110/98 (1) Commissioner Kinnock states that the Commission has asked the Swiss authorities to recognise the distinguishing sign. Member States will be informed as soon as the Commission gets a reply from the Swiss authoritiesí. In the meantime I have learned through informal channels that about a year ago the Swiss authorities sent a letter to their police and customs services explaining that cars with EU number plates no longer require a separate country sticker. 1. 2. Is the Commission aware of this letter, and does this constitute the recognition referred to in point 3? Have the Member States been informed of this recognition? (1) OJ C 325, 12. 11. 1999, p. 56. Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (17 March 2000) In their letter of 11 February 1999 the Swiss authorities informed the Commission that they were 1. prepared to recognise the distinctive nationality marks issued by the state of registration of motor vehicles and their trailers in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 2411/98 of 3 November 1998 on the recognition in intra-Community traffic of the distinguishing sign of the Member State in which motor vehicles and their trailers are registered (1). The Member States were informed of that recognition by means of a letter to the offices of their 2. permanent representatives dated 9 March 1999. (1) OJ L 299, 10. 11. 1998. (2000/C 330 E/131) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0290/00 by Jan Wiersma (PSE) to the Council (14 February 2000) Subject: Phare programme for Croatia In view of the positive outcome of the elections in Croatia on 3 January 2000, will the Council reconsider the suspension of the Phare programme for Croatia?