EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/451

(2004/C 88 E/0462)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3132/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(17 October 2003)

Subject: Cuba — Sakharov Initiative

On 4 September 2003, during the September part-session, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on Cuba by an overwhelming majority. Paragraph 12 of this resolution reads:

12. Asks that Mr Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, winner of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2002, be officially invited to Europe at the earliest opportunity in order to meet in person with the EU Presidency, the High Representative for the CFSP, the President of the Commission and the relevant Commissioners; supports the decision taken by its Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy to invite Mr Sardiñas, and asks the Cuban authorities not to prevent his presence.

This part of the resolution represents the follow-up to what I have called the ‘Sakharov initiative’, promoted by myself within Parliament. This initiative has already obtained the individual signatures of 205 MEPs, and has been highlighted in my letters, sent to recipients including, notably, the President of the Commission, of 28 May, 3 July and 24 September 2003.

In the meantime, it has been reported that a petition bearing more than 14 000 signatures has been submitted to the Cuban Parliament by Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, in support of the Varela project'. This is a particularly important development in view of the extremely harsh climate now confronting democrats in Cuba.

Has the Commission taken any action in implementation of the ‘Sakharov Initiative’, pursuant to paragraph 12 of Parliament's joint resolution on Cuba adopted on 4 September 2003? If so, what is the nature of the action taken?

Following the recent submission by Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas of a petition bearing over 14 000 signatures to Cuban Parliament, and the considerable media coverage given to that event, does the Commission not believe that the time is now right to act on Parliament's initiative?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 2004)

The Commission took note of Parliament's resolution on Cuba adopted on 4 September 2003, and in particular its paragraph 12 concerning Oswaldo Payá. The Commission is well aware of the situation concerning Mr Paya and regrets the Cuban authorities' decision not to allow him to come to Brussels to attend a meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy on 1 December 2003.

On 5 June 2003, the Union decided on a series of measures in response to the action taken by the Cuban authorities against members of the opposition and independent journalists. The events in Cuba also subsequently led the Council to re-evaluate its Common Position on Cuba (1) on 21 July 2003 (2), nearly six months in advance of the due date.

The Commission and the Member States continue to follow the situation in Cuba attentively, particularly with regard to members of the opposition such as Mr Payá. The Commission wishes to give them the fullest possible support in the present situation. This requires, of course, fully taking into account the difficult circumstances in which they live.

The Commission firmly backs democratisation efforts in Cuba, and the President and relevant Members of the Commission would certainly be glad to meet with Mr Payá when he comes to Brussels.

(1) Common Position 96/697/CFSP defined by the Council on the basis of Article J. 2 of the Treaty on European Union, on Cuba, OJ L 322, 12.12.1996.

(2) http://europa.eu.int/abc/doc/off/bull/en/200307/pl06154.htm.