91999E0372

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0372/99

by Yvonne Sandberg-Fries (PSE) to the Commission

(17 February 1999)

Subject: European housing fair

There are plans to hold a European housing fair in Malmö, Sweden, in 2001. It will be jointly organised by Sweden and Denmark and receive support from the two governments. At their meeting in Graz in October 1998 the European Ministers of Housing called on the Commission to support the Fair, thus emphasising the Fair's importance to the establishment of a common market in the house building sector which would support employment in Europe. The most important part of the Fair will in that respect be the "European City" in which each European country will erect a house reflecting its own ideal and which complies with EU directives. Denmark and Sweden have put in a great effort, as have experts in the Member States and in the Commission, so that this important project may reach fruition. Despite repeated enquiries the Commission has still given no clear indication of how it intends to support the European Housing Fair. This delay is likely to become a serious problem as invitations have to be sent out to the countries of Europe at the latest by the end of February/beginning of March this year.

Will the Commission immediately give a clear indication of the support it intends to give to the European housing fair to be held in Malmö in 2001?