WRITTEN QUESTION E-2655/01

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Council

(3 October 2001)

Subject: Reconsideration of the EU's foreign policy

According to information so far made public by the American authorities, Muslim extremists led by bin Laden are implicated in the terrorist attack on the USA, while Afghanistan's Islamic leadership is accused of providing him with support. It is worth noting that in the past information has been published in the European press concerning the involvement of bin Laden's followers in the Bosnian war, while Muslim extremists also participated in the conflict in Kosovo in 1999. It should be remembered that many EU countries helped the Bosnians and the Kosovans both militarily and politically in their conflict with the Serbs.

Does the EU intend to reconsider the policy of support which it has given to Muslim extremist cells in the Balkans? Does it consider that the USA's planned retaliation is placing EU countries in danger? Can accurate figures be provided for the total humanitarian aid given by the EU to Pakistan and Afghanistan during the last five years?

Reply

(1 March 2002)

The Council's approach to support for the Balkan countries has always been very clear, and it has repeatedly expressed its utter condemnation of all forms of fanaticism and extremism which have emerged in the past and which may unfortunately still be a feature of certain parts of the region. It therefore considers that the Honourable Member's claims of so-called support given to Muslim extremist cells in the Balkans to be totally unfounded.

The European Union's aid for reconstruction in the Balkans is generous: EUR 4 650 million for the period 2000/2006 to rebuild the infrastructure and the economy of a region that has been severely weakened by ten years of war and local crises, with the longer term aim of creating an area of stability and economic growth in the Balkans so that the region can be brought closer to Europe. The European Union's action is also intended to encourage and strengthen the democratic and moderate regimes that have been established in the region.

The Council would also remind the Honourable Member of the Common Position (Article J.2 of the TEU) which it adopted in February 1996 and which imposes an embargo on all forms of arms exports to all the countries of the former Yugoslavia (including Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo). Since 1998, the Council has progressively lifted that embargo in respect of most countries of the former Yugoslavia (the most recent being the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in October 2001), with the exception of Bosnia-Herzegovina, for which the embargo remains in force. Finally, with regard to Kosovo, you are reminded that its civil administration is under the control of the United Nations, while security and military matters are under strict NATO control.

As regards the Community assistance, including humanitarian aid, for Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Council can provide the Honourable MEP with the following information for the period 1997-2001:

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In recognition of Pakistan's role in support of the international coalition against terrorism, and provided that Pakistan follows the roadmap to democracy which it has established for itself, the Council, however, envisages further measures in support for this country. Pakistan can also benefit under decentralized regional projects, on the basis of calls for proposals.

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The total amount of EU humanitarian aid for Afghanistan for 2001 amounts (as of late October) to some 330 million, which makes Europe one of the most important donors to the region. (EC: ECHO more than 50 million, food aid 28 million, aid to uprooted people 22,5 million; Member States: pledges and commitments to NGOs and UN agencies of some 230 million.)

The Council is constantly reviewing the situation regarding the military operations which began on 7 October. Generally speaking, the Council has agreed that the attitude of third countries towards the fight against terrorism will clearly be taken into account in all aspects of the EU's policies towards those countries.