EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/479

(2004/C 88 E/0492)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3982/03

by Miquel Mayol i Raynal (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(6 January 2004)

Subject: Political rights of the Macedonian minority in Greece

The Macedonian minority in Greece is represented within the European Free Alliance by the Rainbow Party (Ouranio Toxo).

Following repeated unlawful acts and threats, this party was physically prevented from holding a conference in preparation for the European elections by Greek fascist-inspired organisations.

Despite numerous appeals to the Greek authorities at both local and national level, the authorities have taken no action against these organisations. The party conference, originally scheduled for 30 November and subsequently put back to 7 December, has been postponed indefinitely because of the risks involved.

Is the Commission aware of this attack on the political rights of minorities?

Does the Commission know the reasons for the Greek authorities' inaction on the matter?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(27 May 2004)

As it promised to do in its holding answer to the Honourable Member's Written Question E-3982/03 (1), the Commission approached the Greek authorities on 17 February 2004 for information about the facts to which the Honourable Member refers.

In their reply, which reached the Commission on 30 March, the Greek authorities make the following observations:

— the Rainbow Party's congress was not prevented by outside persons or organisations. On 7 December a small march protesting against the planned holding of the congress did take place in the streets in the centre of Edessa. The march caused no disturbance or threat to public order, so that there was no need for action on the part of the police present. The demonstrators did not move in the direction of the place where the congress was to take place;

— on both of the dates announced, namely 30 November and 7 December 2003, the police authorities had taken all necessary steps to ensure the smooth running of the congress. In both cases measures had been taken the day before the congress was to be held in order to be able to deal with any protests;

— the postponement of the Rainbow Party congress is not due to any danger involved in holding it, or to allegedly inadequate action on the part of the Greek authorities to ensure that it proceeded regularly. In the past the Rainbow Party has held meetings and events in the town of Florina without the slightest incident;

— in reality the postponements of the congress are thought to be due to commercial differences with hotels regarding the final cost of the organisation of the congress.

The Commission considers the explanations given by the Greek authorities to be satisfactory.

The Commission would also inform the Honourable Member that the Greek authorities have protested against the use of the expression ‘the Macedonian minority’. They stressed that there is no minority of that name in Greece. They say that there are people living in West Macedonia who in addition to Greek also speak a local Slavic dialect. Only a few of these want to see themselves recognised as a national minority. The appropriation of the word ‘Macedonian’ to designate these people is a source of semantic and cultural confusion, because the term is used exclusively to refer to those Greeks who originate in Macedonia, of whom there are about two million.

(1) OJ C 78 E, 27.3.2004, p. 888.