92003E0128

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0128/03

by Ursula Schleicher (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 January 2003)

Subject: Alpine Convention

It is encouraging that finally, after forty years of preparation, the Alpine Convention has now come into force. It is, however, regrettable that two Member States, Italy and France, have so far failed to sign. The European Union, which should also be among the signatories to the Convention, has also yet to sign the Alpine Convention.

1. What problems stand in the way of the European Union's signing the Convention?

2. What action is the Commission taking to encourage those Member States that have yet to sign to do so?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(27 February 2003)

The Community signed the Alpine Convention on 7 November 1991 in Salzbourg (Austria).

The decision to ratify was taken on 26 February 1996(1). The Community is therefore a Party to the Alpine Convention.

All alpine Member States have ratified the Convention: Austria on 19 April 1994, Germany on 16 June 1994, France on 30 November 1995 and Italy on 28 September 1999. Slovenia, which is the only alpine acceding country, ratified it on 22 March 1995.

In its reply to previous written questions (joint reply to E-1148/02, E-1149/02 and E-1229/02(2) and reply to E-1818/02(3)), the Commission stated its practical difficulties in playing an active role in the activities undertaken under the Convention and its Protocols, as well as its willingness to consider options to increase its involvement.

Indeed, the Commission stresses the interest it attaches to mountain regions. This interest is exemplified by the fact that the Commission, in its second Report on Cohesion, recognised that some mountain regions suffer from severe development problems and should be a priority for the future of the Community's cohesion policy. Moreover, the Commission has just launched a study on mountain areas. The objectives of this study are to define mountain areas (zoning), to set up a database including different kind of indicators, in particular those linked to environment and hazards, and finally, to analyse the situation of these regions in a sustainable development perspective. Other Community policies such as its rural development and environment policy are also contributing to the sustainable development of mountain regions including the Alpine region, and to the conservation of mountain eco-systems.

(1) Council decision No 96/191/EC of 26 February 1996 concerning the conclusion of the Convention on the protection of the Alps, OJ L 61, 12.3.1996.

(2) OJ C 301 E, 5.12.2002, p. 91.

(3) OJ C 28 E, 6.2.2003, p. 140.