WRITTEN QUESTION E-2653/99 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Events at Malpensa.
26. 1. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 26 E/7 Supplementary answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (10 March 2000) The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for again drawing its attention to the question of the legal protection of European companies in Kosovo and for having forwarded extra documentation on this sensitive subject. The protection of legal rights of companies in Kosovo is a question falling under the direct competence of the United Nations interim administration mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) according to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999). The complete file concerning the issue is in the possession of UNMIK, which is the only entity in a position to make valid proposals for the requested action. (2001/C 26 E/008) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2653/99 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission (12 January 2000) Subject: Events at Malpensa In order to forestall the accusation that the decrees of 5 July 1996 and 13 October 1997 transferring all flights from Linate to Malpensa did not comply with the provisions of Community law, an Italian Government decree provided that 34 % of European flights would remain at Linate until access infra- structure had been fully completed and notification had been received that the work was finished. Is the Commission aware of the inconveniences which users of the Malpensa hub still experience, especially through the lack of suitable buildings, the fact that the train shuttle still does not serve terminal 2, forcing passengers to drag their baggage along and to use the taxi or bus shuttle service between terminals 1 and 2 (services that stop, what is more, at a certain time of day) and the fact that there are still not even enough baggage-trolleys, all of which confirm the need to guarantee the survival of Linate as an airport providing connections to the 15 Member State capitals? How does it view the fact that the Italian Government has not yet sent the information which the Commission had asked to receive by 15 November? Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (12 April 2000) The Commission has paid and continues to pay special attention to the situation concerning Malpensa airport, particularly as regards access and airport infrastructures. This issue is closely linked with the the Milanese airport system problem of complying with Community law. Italian traffic distribution rules for the various airports of The Commission, with the help of specialised consultants, carried out several in-depth inspections in 1998 and 1999 of the state of the above infrastructures, particularly concerning their suitability for the volume of traffic that was due to move to Malpensa when the above-mentioned traffic distribution rules were applied. The Commission used the information from these sources to intervene in 1998, declaring the immediate application of the rules which were initially adopted as incompatible with Community law (1). The Italian authorities took the results of the inspections on board and decided to delay applying the rules until October 1999, subsequently delayed to December 1999. The Italian authorities responded to the inspections carried out by specialist consultants by deciding in October 1999 to undertake work and improvements, particularly focusing on aspects of airport infrastructure (providing additional departure gates, implementing an Apron Management Control system, C 26 E/8 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 26. 1. 2001 improving the capacity for luggage and passport control etc. ). Contrary to the view held by the honourable Member, the Italian authorities have indeed sent the information which the Commission had asked to receive on carrying out work and improvements. The Commission is currently checking this information. (1) Commission Decision of 16 September 1998 on a procedure relating to the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 (Case VII/AMA/11/98 ü Italian traffic distribution rules for the airport system of Milan). OJ L 337, 12. 12. 1998. (2001/C 26 E/009) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2735/99 by Carlo Fatuzzo (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Free entry to museums for Community citizens between the ages of 55 and 65 Cultural tourism among the 55- to 65-year old age group in Europe is a source of cultural enrichment, a healthy way of using free time and a source of many new jobs. Does the Commission intend to issue a directive to boost this type of tourism and to make it more accessible? In addition, can the Commission ask the Italian minister Mr Melandri to amend the regulation published in the Italian Official Journal No 253, 27. 10. 1999, which restricts free entry to monuments, museums, archaeological sites, and parks etc. to those over the age of 65, so that it includes Community citizens between the ages of 55 and 65? Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (13 March 2000) The Commission is aware of the importance of cultural tourism as a source of potential job creation. However, there is no intention to issue a directive on this matter. The question of the age group benefiting from free entry to cultural attractions in Italy is a matter for the Member State itself, following the principle of subsidiarity. (2001/C 26 E/010) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2750/99 by Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission (7 January 2000) Subject: Turtles, nature conservation and accession: Cyprus Is the Commission aware of the debate in Cyprus about the protection of the Akamas Peninsula, 1. which is an important nesting area for sea turtles? These turtle species include vulnerable and endangered species, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list. Has the Commission been informed about measures to protect Akamas which were approved by the Cypriot Parliament in 1998, but have not yet been accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers? Is the Commission also aware of the fact that hotel development in the area has meanwhile continued? 2. In view of the upcoming accession of Cyprus, has the Commission entered into discussions regarding the suitability of the Akamas Peninsula, and particularly that the Asprokremmos, Lara and Toxeftra beaches be included in the Natura 2000 network of protected sites, established under the Habitats and Birds Directives (resp. 92/43 (1) of 21 May 1992 and 79/409 (2) of 2 April 1979)?