EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/100

(2004/C 88 E/0105)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2579/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(6 August 2003)

Subject: Confiscation of euro bank notes belonging to, and robbery of, families of Turkish origin from EU Member States during their annual journey home through Bulgaria

1. Is the Commission aware that, for several decades now, a large number of families of Turkish origin from Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria and other EU Member States have been returning each summer to their native land to spend their holidays and visit families, many of them travelling by train or car?

2. Has the Commission been informed that the section of their journey which necessarily crosses Bulgaria has become increasingly difficult, with families of Turkish origin being hampered by being required to pay a EUR 100 levy to criminal gangs for ‘obligatory anti-SARS injections’, by thieves disguised as police officers, by armed robbers and by having to pay enormous fines for allegedly breaking the speed limit?

3. Is the Commission aware that people travelling through Bulgaria are surprised that the Bulgarian police and customs service forbid the carrying of large amounts of money in euros (in excess of the equivalent of BGL 5 000) through Bulgaria and, consequently, sometimes confiscate thousands of euros per family in cash?

4. What is the Commission doing to protect residents of EU Member States against these forms of robbery and extortion in a neighbouring country which hopes to be able to accede to the EU in 2007?

5. What guarantees can the Commission offer to ensure that such practices will not recur during transit traffic peak periods in 2004 and thereafter?

6. Are these problems being addressed in the negotiations with Bulgaria on its future accession to the EU?

SourceiThe 18 July 2003 edition of'Rotterdams Dagblad', a Dutch newspaper

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(15 September 2003)

Following a large number of complaints from Union citizens as well as previous parliamentary questions on this subject (H-0793/01 by Mr Ceyhun during question time at Parliament's November I, 2001 session (1), P-0437/02 by Mr Ceyhun (2), E-3790/02 by Mr Maaten (3) and P-1139/03 by Mrs Swiebel (4)), the Commission is well aware that many families of Turkish origin travel regularly via Bulgaria and can encounter problems related to motorway criminality and corrupt behaviour of police and customs officers. In the 2002 Regular Report (5), the Commission clearly states that police corruption is perceived to be a problem and that cases of bribery in the traffic and border police have been raised by Union citizens driving in and through Bulgaria. At the last meeting of the Union/Bulgaria Association Committee, the Commission emphasised that Bulgarian Authorities must address the problem. The Commission has officially transmitted a summary of individual complaints and a recent report by ‘Stichting Inspraakorgaan Turken in Nederland.’ The problem has also been raised in the framework of the accession negotiations.

The Bulgarian Government has reacted by adopting a national strategy against corruption. As regards police corruption and false police officers, the government has taken measures to combat motorway criminality and to prevent unlawful actions of police officers. As regards corruption in the customs administration, the government is applying sanctions, including dismissals, to implement the new code of ethics.

Considering that the criteria for membership agreed by the Copenhagen European Council in 1993 (21/22 June 1993) include the guaranteeing of the rule of law, the Commission attaches great importance to the development of effective and non-discriminatory law enforcement in Bulgaria. The Commission will continue to monitor Bulgaria's progress in this area until the date of accession and report to the Parliament and the Member States.

Please note that the fight against corruption is considered to be a priority for PHARE assistance in Bulgaria and that four anti-corruption projects were approved in 2002. One of these exclusively covers corruption within the police forces.

As regards the regime for import and export of currency, it should be noted that Bulgaria achieved a higher degree of compliance with the ‘acquis’ and best Union practices through the amendments to the Bulgarian Foreign Exchange Law in June 2003. The declaration regime for import and export of cash amounts over BGL 5 000 or their equivalent in foreign currency replaced previously existing more restrictive provisions such as the permission regime for export of cash amounts over BGL 20 000. Currently for export of cash over BGL 25 000, in addition to the declaration, evidence that the person does not have liabilities to the Bulgarian State is required. Such evidence is not required for foreign persons exporting currency that has previously been imported and declared.

(1) Written reply, 13.11.2001.

(2) OJ C 277 E, 14.11.2002.

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

(4) See page 18.

(5) COM(2002) 700 final.