# CE2004088EN.01011001.xml

| 8.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 88/110 |
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8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 88/110

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(2004/C 88 E/0115)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2725/03

by Jules Maaten (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 September 2003)

Subject:   Corruption at the Bulgarian border

Subject:

On 12 December 2002, I requested clarification from the Commission over reports that Bulgarian border guards had been demanding money unnecessarily from tourists to allow them to cross the border (Written Question E-3790/02 (1)). Mr Verheugen replied that ‘appropriate measures’ would be taken ‘in order to prevent incidents of the specific character described’.

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An inquiry carried out by ANWB, the largest Dutch organisation active in the field of tourism, leisure and travel, shows that the situation has not improved. Tourists now even have to be vaccinated against SARS at the border, although there is in fact no vaccine against SARS!

| 1. | Is the Commission aware of what is going on? |
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1.

Is the Commission aware of what is going on?

| 2. | Does the Commission feel that these vaccinations are a danger to public health? |
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2.

Does the Commission feel that these vaccinations are a danger to public health?

| 3. | Has the Commission taken steps to put a stop to these practices? |
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3.

Has the Commission taken steps to put a stop to these practices?

| 4. | Does the Commission feel that its monitoring of corruption by Bulgarian border authorities is effective? |
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4.

Does the Commission feel that its monitoring of corruption by Bulgarian border authorities is effective?

| 5. | What practical steps does the Commission plan to take to stamp out these illegal practices? |
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5.

What practical steps does the Commission plan to take to stamp out these illegal practices?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(23 October 2003)

(23 October 2003)

The Commission has been informed of the complaints related to the collection of a fee of EUR 100 relating to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) at Bulgarian border checkpoints. Bulgaria was invited to explain the situation and has provided the Commission with the following information.

No fees or penalties were officially introduced at Bulgarian border checkpoints in connection with SARS. Further to the complaints, an information campaign in German, English and Turkish has been launched at all border checkpoints and Bulgarian embassies in Turkey, Germany and Austria informing that there is no official collection of fees or penalties in connection with SARS. The Turkish embassies in Germany and Austria, as well as the main Turkish tour operators in these countries, have also been informed.

Moreover, the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior has ordered its services and local directorates to collect data and information on these alleged practices. The results of the investigation will determine whether to institute penal proceedings. The investigation is complicated by the fact that the Bulgarian authorities have received no official complaints with information specifying the time and the location or describing the perpetrator.

The Honourable Member will appreciate that the Commission has no formal powers to inquire into cases of this nature. However, it does monitor Bulgaria's commitment to the rule of law through a number of mechanisms and reporting sources. Once further information is forthcoming from the Bulgarian authorities this will be transmitted to the Honourable Member.

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(1)  OJ C 70 E, 20.3.2004, p. 24.

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