Austria's European Member of Parliament Marilies Flemming has enquired at the EU Commission when a clear decision can be expected with regard to the signing and ratification of the protocols to the Alpine Convention. She also wanted to know why the much criticised lack of contact with the citizenry in the EU was not addressed in the debate on the People and Culture Protocol.
The Commission's answer was short but not so sweet: At present the intention is to concentrate on those sectors that best contribute to the implementation of EU policies. For that reason the Commission at present has plans to sign the Transport Protocol. The mountain regions, which are "disadvantaged in any case", are being helped in the framework of EU cohesion policy. Proper monitoring of all measures taken in the framework of the Alpine Convention would exceed the financial capabilities of the EU. This is also the reason, says the Commission, for the decision not to contribute to the debate on a protocol on People and Culture.
In the meantime the South Tyrolean Alpine Club has called on the two South Tyrolean European Members of Parliament to work for greater EU involvement in the Alpine Convention.