92001E3524

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3524/01

by Wilhelm Piecyk (PSE) to the Commission

(20 December 2001)

Subject: EU/Kaliningrad transport links following enlargement to the east

At the end of October 2001, the Scandinavian airline SAS closed its Kaliningrad-Copenhagen route. The discontinuation of the only scheduled air service from Kaliningrad to Scandinavia, and hence to Germany and western Europe, will have substantial adverse effects on economic activity and tourism, which are just beginning to develop. Not only are transport links between the Kaliningrad region and the European Union, especially the countries around the Baltic, essential for the region's economic development, for they are also an urgent requirement as far as the political development of the region, which is part of Russian territory, is concerned. After its forthcoming enlargement to the east, the European Union will have external borders with Kaliningrad.

Has the Commission already examined the special situation of Kaliningrad, which is surrounded geographically by two candidate countries, Poland and Lithuania, and how does it assess that situation in terms of links to the European Union?

How does it propose to ensure that the Kaliningrad region has transport links to the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2002)

The Commission's analysis of the specific situation of Kaliningrad is presented in the Communication on The European Union and Kaliningrad of January 2001(1). This was prepared to provide a basis for discussions within the Union as well as with Russia, and those candidate countries for accession that are most interested, in particular Poland and Lithuania.

Transport issues have been recognised in the Communication and appropriate technical assistance is provided to Poland and Lithuania as well as to Russia for making the transit of goods to and from Kaliningrad faster and more efficient.

Two of the Pan-European Transport Corridors link Kaliningrad with Poland and Lithuania. Both are multi-modal transport links for road and rail. The Commission attaches particular importance to the relevant sections of the Corridors and provides assistance for their completion.

The provision of air transport links between Kaliningrad and destinations in the Union is a matter for the operators, whose decisions will be taken on the basis of economic considerations. The Commission does not subsidise air links with third countries.

(1) COM(2001) 26 final.