WRITTEN QUESTION E-1178/00 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. EU enlargement and the regions.
13. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 46 E/139 (2001/C 46 E/159) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1177/00 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Council (13 April 2000) Subject: EU enlargement and regions We have reached an historic and crucial moment in the history not only of the Union but of the continent of Europe as a whole. Leaving aside Turkey, the other twelve applicant countries have a population of more than 100 thousand, which would mean a 27 % increase in the population of the EU, whilst the European Parliament would probably have little more than 700 seats, i. e. only 11 % more than the current number. Since it is not proposed to change the role and powers of the European institutions, does the Council not consider that the representation of the regions will be seriously undermined? Does the Council not envisage any other way of ensuring that regions such as the Basque Country (3 million inhabitants) or the Catalan-speaking regions (12 million inhabitants) can be given proportional representation equivalent to that of future Member States such as Malta or Cyprus? Does the Council not envisage a thorough reform of the Committee of the Regions in order to ensure that it actually represents the regions? Reply (10 July 2000) The issues raised by the Honourable parliamentarian relating to the composition of the Committee of the regions and the allocation of seats within that Committee are currently being considered by the Intergovernmental Conference on institutional reform. The Council is of course aware of the suggestions which have been put forward on these matters by both the European Parliament and the Commission as contributions to the Conferenceís work, neither of which addresses the issue of the breakdown of seats for the Committee of the Regions within each Member State. The Council would recall that the present Treaty fixes the number of members from each Member State; it is up to each Member State to determine the basis on which these seats are allocated internally. Given that the Council has no formal role in the Conference itself, which brings together the governments of the 15 Member States, it would be entirely inappropriate for the Council to speculate on the possible outcome of the Conferenceís work. The European Parliament, on the other hand, is closely associated and involved in the work of the Conference. Meetings of the IGC preparatory group are attended by two observers from the European Parliament, and each session of the Conference at ministerial level is preceded by an exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament, assisted by two EP representatives. (2001/C 46 E/160) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1178/00 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (12 April 2000) Subject: EU enlargement and the regions We have reached a crucial historical moment, not only for the EU but for the entire continent of Europe. The twelve applicant states (other than Turkey) have a total population of over 100 000 m. This means that the total population of the EU will rise by 27 %, although, as we know, the number of MEPs is not expected to rise to more than 700, that is, only 11 % more than the present number. Given that no proposals exist to modify the role and competences of the EU institutions, does the Commission not consider that the representation of the regions is likely to be seriously undermined? Has the Commission not provided for new measures to ensure that regions such as the Basque Country (with 3 million inhabitants) or the Catalan-speaking regions (totalling 12 million inhabitants) can enjoy their due representation as compared with prospective Member States such as Malta or Cyprus? Does the Commission have no plans for a wide-ranging reform of the Committee of the Regions, with a view to its becoming a truly representative organ of the regions? C 46 E/140 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 13. 2. 2001 Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission (22 June 2000) As regards representation of the regions in Parliament, the Commission would recall the answer given to oral question H-666/99 from Mrs Evans during question hour at the November 1999 part-session (1). As regards the Committee of the Regions, the Commission, in its opinion of 26 January 2000 on the Intergovernmental Conference, proposed the same geographical formula as the European Parliament. For the Committee of the Regions as a whole, the Commission proposed a ceiling of one third of the number of representatives (233 members), so as to safeguard the Committeeís effectiveness. As regards the Committeeís future role, the Commission considers that in an enlarged Union cooperation between the regions will assume even greater significance, as will evaluation of the impact of proposed legislation at regional level. The Committee of the Regionsí consultative role must therefore be maintained so that it can fulfil its mission, which is to represent, at European level, the interests of the regional and local authorities. (1) Debates of the European Parliament (November 1999). (2001/C 46 E/161) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1192/00 by Antonio Di Pietro (ELDR) to the Commission (10 April 2000) Subject: Closure of the SGL Carbon plant in Ascoli Piceno The SGL Carbon plant, an industrial plant producing graphite electrodes, is located in the city centre of Ascoli Piceno in Italy, in a densely populated area which, under local regulations, should be used for the creation of parks. Each year the plant releases into the atmosphere tens of thousands of tonnes of highly pollutant substances known as PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) with serious effects on the health of thousands of local inhabitants. It is not by accident that Ascoli Piceno has the unfortunate distinction of being the city with the highest incidence of cancers in Italy. Given that the agreement authorising the installation of the plant concluded 25 years ago between the city authorities and the company concerned is due to expire in 2004, can the Commission oblige the Italian local authorities to carry out an environmental impact assessment pursuant to Directive 85/337/EEC (1), as amended by Directive 97/11/EEC (2), so as to bring forward the possible closure or transfer of the SGL Carbon plant, or, in any case, before granting it a fresh authorisation in 2004? Does the Commission not consider that the provisions of Directive 84/360/EEC (3) on the combating of air pollution from industrial plants and Directive 96/61/EEC (4) concerning integrated pollution prevention and control are applicable in the present case? Finally, will the Commission say whether and under what conditions the SGL Carbon plant could be converted so that the workers employed there could be found new jobs? (1) OJ L 175, 5. 7. 1985, p. 40. (2) OJ L 73, 14. 3. 1997, p. 5. (3) OJ L 188, 16. 7. 1984, p. 20. (4) OJ L 257, 10. 10. 1996, p. 26