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The ECOMET Secretariat The Chief Executive R. A. Hoenson |
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Ringlaan 3 (Pavillon Magnétique sud) B-1180 Bruxelles Tel : +32 2 372 13 30 Fax : +32 2 375 49 50 e-mail: hoenson@oma.be |
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PRIMET C/o Daniel Söderman Aallokko 3A7602320 Espoo Finland
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Date 17 March 2006 Our reference PS/PRIMET/060123 Your reference your letter of 31 December 2005 Enclosure(s) 2 pages (this one included) |
Dear Daniel,
Thank you for your letter of 31 December 2005 in which you informed me of the delay in the correspondence between PRIMET and ECOMET due to the vacant chair of PRIMET. I can assure you that this delay does not in any way influence our intention to improve relations between both organisations.
I understand that the document, promised in the PRIMET letter of 25 September 2005 can be ready by 15 March. We have no objections to an exchange of documents. From the ECOMET side it will be the official ECOMET documents, which are available at any time. I also confirm that ECOMET still is prepared to follow a procedure of legal review of the ECOMET practices that are of concern to PRIMET.
However, before we embark on a legal process, I would suggest an attempt at a new dialogue between PRIMET and ECOMET. In my opinion we have not done enough to come to a common understanding.
Therefore I suggest that as soon as PRIMET has expressed which procedures of ECOMET are subject to consideration, PRIMET and ECOMET could proceed with discussions in order to address the specific issues that are of concern to PRIMET, to find common ground to improve the relations. In the first instance an effort can be undertaken to view the considerations of PRIMET in the light of the legal documents of ECOMET and the comfort letter of the EC DG Competition. I expect that a joint discussion of controversies and inconveniences for the PRIMET Members caused by ECOMET rules will result in improved relations between the public and private weather sector.
As the next step, if necessary, I recommend involving the legal firm which acted as advisor in the creation of the Economic Interest Grouping. The firm van Bael & Bellis has intimate knowledge of the meteorological world and has excellent expertise on the European legislation. Mediation by this firm would certainly reduce the time to study the possible problems and to produce recommendations for the future if appropriate.
As a confirmation of our intention, I can inform you that the General Assembly of 24 November 2005 has decided to increase the available funds for this mediation to a ceiling of 6000 EURO.
Yours sincerely,
Anton Eliassen President of the ECOMET General Assembly
cc. Mr. René Hoenson, ECOMET Chief Executive, Ringlaan 3, 1180 Brussel, Belgium