WRITTEN QUESTION E-1497/01

by Raimon Obiols i Germà (PSE) to the Commission

(18 May 2001)

Subject: Troika visit to Algeria

During the visit to Algeria by the President of the Council of the EU, Mrs Anna Lindh, and the High Representative Mr Javier Solana, one of the subjects discussed in talks with the Algerian authorities was the situation in Western Sahara.

It is no secret that implementation of the peace process in Western Sahara, consisting in the holding of a referendum, is encountering considerable difficulties, which have led to a virtual standstill. Aware of this situation, the UN Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan stated, in his report to the Security Council in February 2001, that he had asked the Moroccan authorities for a set of proposals on opening political negotiations between the two sides in order to break the deadlock. This will mean the opening of a new phase and a new opportunity, in which the EU should not shirk its responsibilities or fail to exert its influence.

In this situation, is the Commission aware of its capacity to influence the two sides and help to overcome an impasse which, in addition to causing great suffering to the population concerned, is threatening a resumption of violence and increasing tension in the Maghreb?

Does the Commission consider that the EU should develop an active role to assist a peaceful settlement of the Western Sahara question?

In the light of the latest meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Arab Maghreb Union held recently in Algiers, and the subsequent statements by those responsible for the EU's Euro-Mediterranean policy aimed at boosting the processes of sub-regionalisation and South-South cooperation, does the Commission consider that the necessary development of an open market in the Maghreb is feasible without the prior agreement of the two sides regarding the dispute over Western Sahara?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(26 July 2001)

The Commission fully support the United Nations (UN) Settlement plan for Western Sahara and the continued efforts of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary General, Mr James A. Baker, for a durable, just and mutually agreed resolution to the dispute.

The Commission is currently exploring possible ways of contributing positively to the process, in a manner that would strengthen and complement the efforts by the United Nations (UN) and the Personal Envoy at this critical juncture.

The Commission is ready to exert its influence on both sides in order to convince them of the importance of direct talks on proposals that might be put forward by the Personal Envoy. The Commission is also ready to give assistance to the implementation of the various stages of the United Nations (UN) Settlement Plan, namely at the phases of voters identification, repatriation and rehabilitation of the territory. The Commission had communicated this availability to Mr Baker with whom it remains in contact.

The Commission continues to provide, through its non-governmental organisations (NGO's) partners, food and medico-sanitary aid for the saharawi in Tindouf. This aid has to-date reached 56 million. An additional 10 million medico-sanitary and rehabilitation pack has been approved for the current year. This constitutes a considerable increase in relation to previous years.

The construction of the Arab Maghreb Union will be very difficult without a proper resolution of this conflict.