WRITTEN QUESTION E-2832/97 by Nuala Ahern (V) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Agreement between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), approved by the WHO Assembly on 28 May 1959

Does the EU have particular relations with, or a role in, the World Health Organization (WHO) or the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) outside those of the Member States, and does the EU contribute any funds to these organizations?

Is the Commission aware of the Agreement between the WHO and the IAEA, approved by the WHO Assembly on 28 May 1959, which has the effect of restricting the activities of the WHO in relation to projects connected with nuclear matters? Article 3: 'Whenever either organization proposes to initiate a programme or activity on a subject in which the other organization has or may have a substantial interest, the first party shall consult the other with a view to adjusting the matter by mutual agreement.'

Surely in the interest of global and EU health, WHO should have the freedom to investigate any matter and in any manner it so chooses, especially on nuclear matters (where the Commission has a particular responsibility to EU citizens) without being beholden to an Agency whose mandate is to promote that same energy source, as citizens' health must be the overriding interest, and would the Commission agree to support or encourage either directly, or through Member States, a revocation or appropriate revision of the said agreement?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (15 October 1997)

In respect of relations between the Community and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Community has an important role in the areas of safeguards, research and safety. For example the Community is party to three agreements between IAEA and Member States (INFCIRC 193, 263, 290) and has a framework cooperation agreement with the IAEA signed in 1975. The Community co-organises and contributes occasionally to the cofinancing of certain IAEA activities, in particular in the area of nuclear and radiological safety. As for the World Health Organisation (WHO), though the Community funds none of its activities, it is sometimes involved as a subcontractor in Commission projects, especially in the humanitarian sphere.

The 1959 Agreement between the WHO and the IAEA has been published (INFCIRC 20). It must be emphasised that it is not for the Commission to intervene in relations between two international organisations.

However, the Agreement clearly states that the two organisations 'will act in close cooperation with each other and will consult each other regularly in regard to matters of common interest' and that this should take place 'without prejudice to the right of the World Health Organisation to concern itself with promoting, developing, assisting and co-ordinating international health work'. Thus, as is evident from the text, the Agreement simply seeks to avoid duplication of effort and to ensure collaboration on matters of mutual interest. An example of such collaboration is the 'Basic Safety Standards', jointly sponsored by the IAEA and WHO - together with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Panamerican Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development-Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA).