WRITTEN QUESTION E-2003/99 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Community Interreg III initiative.
1. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 219 E/65 say what progress discussions have made so far as regards the incorporation of the áacquis communautaireí in the legislation of Cyprus and Cyprusí position compared to that of the other five applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe? When are the accession negotiations due to be completed? Finally, if it deems that Cyprus meets all the preconditions, will the Council give assurances that it will be accepted as a full member, even if the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey continue to refuse to contribute to a solution to the Cyprus problem? Reply (31 January 2000) Progress with Cyprus in the accession negotiations has been above average so far, with around a third of the the total negotiating chapters not requiring further negotiations for the moment. Furthermore, European Council in Cologne expressed its firm resolve to open negotiations in all chapters as early as possible next year. As is the case for the other candidates, the date for the conclusion of the accession negotiations and the subsequent accession of Cyprus depends on its progress in preparing for membership and on the Unionís ability to assimilate new members. Finally, the Council reiterates its belief that Cyprusí accession to the EU should benefit all communities, including the Turkish Cypriot community, and help bring about civil peace and reconciliation on the island. It trusts that progress towards accession and towards a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem will naturally reinforce each other. (2000/C 219 E/077) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2003/99 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: Community Interreg III initiative (9 November 1999) How does the Commission intend to consolidate and manage European spatial planning under the Communityís Interreg III initiative? What impact are current transnational interregional cooperation projects for the large European areas covered by Interreg II C likely to have in the future in the context of Interreg III? Will these geographical areas be amalgamated for the new Interreg III initiative in the same way that they were for Interreg II C? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (8 December 1999) Initiative (1), approved by the Commission on The draft guidelines for the Community Interreg III 13 October 1999, state in points 6 and 12 that the objective of this new Initiative is to promote ábalanced development of the EU territoryí, aiming á to promote a higher degree of territorial integration across large groupings of European regions, with a view to achieving sustainable, harmonious and balanced develop- ment in the European Unioní. In point 14, the guidelines specify that the measures ámust underpin an integrated territorial approach that responds to common problemsí and that programmes should take account of áthe recommendations for territorial development of the European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP)í. C 219 E/66 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 Point 14 of the draft also states that áthe transnational cooperation proposals should build on the experience of Interreg IICí. The Commission will therefore ask the Member States to give priority to continuing the cooperation arrangements which proved fruitful under Interreg IIC and to set up those for which the initial study phase is finished. It is indeed desirable that recommendations made under Interreg IIC should be translated into action and take concrete form under Interreg III. On the basis of experience gained in particular with Interreg IIC, the Commission has made a proposal for geographical groupings in the guidelines. It is up to the Member States to make specific, duly motivated and justified proposals on this basis according to their priorities. (1) COM(1999) 479 final. (2000/C 219 E/078) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2005/99 by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) and Rosa Díez GonzÆlez (PSE) to the Commission (9 November 1999) Subject: Replacement of drift nets Council Regulation 1239/98 (1) prohibiting the use of drift nets from 2002 states that there must be a gradual reduction in the use of these nets by fleets currently using them. No more than 60 % of fishing boats which used one or more drift nets during the period 1995 to 1997 would be allowed to use them in 1998. The regulation also obliged Member States to provide the Commission with a list of those boats authorised to fish with drift nets by 31 July 1998. Given the tensions that the use of these nets tends to generate in the fleets fishing in the Bay of Biscay and reports from various fishermenís organisations in the area indicating that nothing like the planned gradual reduction has occurred, would the Commission honour statements made by President Prodi and the undertaking given by Commissioner Fischler to the Committee on Fisheries to provide reliable, transparent information to this Parliament, and answer the following question: What are the figures on boats operating in the area which have used drift nets from 1995 to the present given to the Commission by Member States in accordance with Regulation 1239/98, or compiled internally? What figures does the Commission have on developments in coastal fishing for albacore tuna in 1998 and 1999 as regards catch, nets used and the level of stocks in ICES areas 5b, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a and 10a? What boats from which countries have fished in these zones during the two years in question? Would the Commission give details of compliance with the ICCAT recommendation on the fishing effort for albacore tuna? (1) OJ L 171, 17. 6. 1998, p. 1. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (10 December 1999) The Honourable Members are requested to refer to the answers given to written questions P-1537/99 (1) and P-2067/99 (2) by Mrs Fraga EstØvez and E-1945/99 (3) by Mr Varela Suanzes-Carpegna