WRITTEN QUESTION P-2439/99 by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Commission. Protection of European companies in Kosovo.
20. 6. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 170 E/155 (2000/C 170 E/190) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2439/99 by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: Protection of European companies in Kosovo In reply to my oral question H-0608/99 of 16 November 1999 (1) to the Commission concerning protection of the interests of European Union companies in Kosovo, Commissioner Patten indicated that he had no information concerning pressure being brought to bear or threats being made against European companies in Kosovo. To fill the gaps in his information concerning the subject, I personally gave him a copy of correspondence between the Mytilinaiosí company and Mr Kouchner and Mr Dixon. I also asked him to investigate the current situation regarding the functioning of telecommunications in Kosovo in order to obtain a full picture. Effective communications between the European Parliament and the Commission will help to protect the interests of the EU wherever they may be under threat. The sovereign rights of European companies are currently what is at stake in Kosovo. The Greek Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) and the Italian STET International, which have respectively a 20 % and 29 % holding in Srbija Telekom, are suffering losses as a result of non-payment of fees to Srbija Telekom for use of telecommunications services in Kosovo, while, at the same time, the UCK and its covert supporters are insisting on the restoration by the two companies of the damaged network and its subsequent nationalisation by Albania, in violation of international agreements. However the most serious breach of the law occurred recently when a áspecial committeeí made up of UN representatives and Kosovar Albanians quite illegally transferred mobile telephony rights to the French company Alcatel. These rights are the exclusive property of the OTE and in accordance with international agreements currently in force, which state that STET International, Kosovo is part of the key area in which these two companies are entitled to operate and export their profits. What action will the Commission take to protect the legitimate rights of European companies in Kosovo which at this moment are under threat by illegal networks in which even UN officials are starting to be involved, contrary to their instructions regarding observance of the law in this area? (1) Verbatim report of proceedings of 16. 11. 1999, p. 60. Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (9 December 1999) The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible. (2000/C 170 E/191) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2575/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (16 December 1999) Subject: Lack of infrastructures and facilities at Patras Port The recent tragic accident involving the passenger ship Superfast III in which 12 people died in a fire which broke out 14 nautical miles from Patras Port has highlighted the chronic problems facing this port. The very poor infrastructures and facilities pose a threat to the health and safety of passengers and hamper passenger embarkation, disembarkation and control procedures as well as basic control procedures on freight vehicles