Reply
(21 May 2002)
While the Council notes and understands the concerns expressed by the Honourable Member concerning
the effective administration of the European Schools, it recalls that the European Schools were establishedon the basis of the Convention defining the statute of the European Schools, adopted in 1957, to whichthe Member States only (and not the European Community) are contracting Parties. The new Conventionsigned by the Community and the Member States on 21 June 1994, which inter alia modified the decision-making procedure within the organs of the Schools, has to date still only been ratified by 11 out of the 12
Member States signatories, and is consequently not yet entered into force. The questions raised therefore
fall outside the institutional competence of the Council, and should be addressed to the Member Stateswhich are responsible for appointing the members of the Board of Governors.
(2002/C205E/077) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0112/02
by Emilio Menéndez del Valle (PSE) to the Council
(22 January 2002)
Subject:Statement by the President-in-Office of the Council of Ministers concerning the destruction of
Palestinian infrastrastructure in Israel
It has been reported in the press that, during his tour of the Middle East, the President-in-Office of the EU
Council of Ministers, Mr Piqué, stated that the EU was carrying out an assessment of the damage caused bythe Israeli army when it invaded autonomous Palestinian territory.
The damage in question affected various items of Palestinian infrastructure which had been financed by
means of funds provided by the EU or its Member States 0dash including the unused airport at Gaza, whichcost 42,6 million euros (28,2 million of which were contributed by Spain).
What view does the Spanish Presidency take regarding the possibility and the merits of demanding
compensation from Israel for the damage caused by the latter country to installations which are essentialto the development of Palestinian society and which were financed by European and Spanish taxpayers?
Reply
(13 May 2002)
The Council has expressed its serious concern at the destruction of Palestinian infrastructure and other
facilities which help Palestinians in their economic, social and humanitarian development, includingelements financed by the European Union and other donors. The European Union has urged theGovernment of Israel to put an end to this practice and reserves the right to claim reparations in theappropriate fora.
The aim of EU support for Palestinian development projects is to alleviate the difficult socio-economic
situation of the Palestinians, with a view to supporting the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP). It cannot bein the interests of Israel to exacerbate this situation or to weaken the capacity of the Palestinian Authorityto fight terrorism.
(2002/C205E/078) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0114/02
by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission
(29 January 2002)
Subject:Publication ‘European Dialogue’
Up to 1999 the then DG 1A published the quarterly magazine ‘European Dialogue’, which was translated
into all the Eastern European languages and which was intended to inform the public in these countries29.8.2002 EN C205E/71 Official Journal of the European Communities