Attaques de camions espagnols en France

EN E-000378/2017 Answer given by Ms Bieńkowska on behalf of the Commission (23.3.2017) 1. The Commission was informed of this incident and has been in direct contact with both the Spanish and French authorities - as it is whenever such an obstacle against the free movement of goods occurs. 2. In the context of the incident mentioned by the Honourable Member, the French authorities informed the Commission of the measures undertaken pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 2679/98. These measures involved the dispatch of police forces to the area, the opening of an investigation, and specific interventions on the ground with a view to restoring public order. The free flow of merchandise was restored by the evening of 17 January 2017 with no further incidents recorded. Thus, the measures taken by the French authorities seem to be sufficient, and therefore the conditions for adopting further measures within the framework of Regulation (EC) No 2679/98 were not met. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to foresee where and when this kind of action will take place, especially when it is part of a protest. The very purpose of many of these actions is to surprise the public and the national authorities and to draw their attention to the subject of the demonstrations and attacks. 3. According to the applicable legal framework it is in the first instance the responsibility of the Member States to take all necessary and proportionate measures to ensure the free movement of goods on their territory in a given situation.