WRITTEN QUESTION E-1032/00

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Commission

(4 April 2000)

Subject: Protection of European companies in Kosovo

Mr Patten's answer to my question P-2439/99(1) raises serious doubts about the credibility of the European Parliament's exercise of parliamentary scrutiny of the Commission in that there is a huge discrepancy between his oral answer (H-0608/99) to me in plenary in Strasbourg on 16 November 1999 and his actual written answer. Whereas, in his oral answer, he pledged that he would carry out the necessary investigations as the Commissioner responsible, his written answer is devoid of any reference to the findings of those investigations.

Since I am sure that it is not Mr Patten's intention to avoid answering the substance of the question and since I think it likely that responsibility for the attempt to avoid the question lies with the departments concerned, will the Commission say:

1. what steps it will take to ensure that its departments carry out their work on this specific issue in a reliable manner,

2. whether it is aware that, in giving such an answer, its departments are covering up irregular activities of certain groups within UNMIK, compromising Mr Patten before the European Parliament,

3. whether it will investigate whether pressure has been exerted, and of what kind, on members of its departments' staff to avoid answering the substance of the question,

4. how it interprets the conflicting behaviour of its departments, which has resulted in Mr Patten providing a detailed answer to other questions I have asked on Kosovo (E-2827/99 and E-0490/00) and avoiding answering the question in point, and

5. returning to the subject of my question on the protection of European companies in Kosovo:

(a) what action it will take to protect the interests of the particular companies concerned, and

(b) whether it intends to give a precise answer to the substance of the matter as set out in my question P-2439/99?

(1) OJ C 26 E, 26.1.2001, p. 6.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(23 June 2000)

The Honourable Member's allegation that I or my DG have attempted to mislead the Parliament or to avoid answering a parliamentary question is wholly without justification.

Addressing the specific elements of the question:

- the relevant Directorate-general has carried and will continue to carry out its work on this, as on all other issues, in a reliable manner;

- the allegation that the relevant Directorate-general is covering anything up is regrettable and unfounded. The allegation about irregular activities of certain groups within United Nations mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) is also unfounded, and will, if addressed to the correct entity UNMIK equally be rebutted;

- the allegation that any pressure, of whatever kind, has been exerted on any member of the relevant Directorate-general to avoid answering the substance of the question is absolutely unfounded;

- the reason that Written Question P-2439/99 does not contain any reference to the results of investigations is that there is no additional information to report compared to the previous reply. The situation remains, as has been explained in response to previous questions on this subject,

that the issue of the protection of the legal rights of companies in Kosovo, Union or otherwise, is not a question for the Commission but, rather, falls under the direct competence of the UNMIK which is responsible for the international civil administration of Kosovo. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999 clearly authorises the establishment of an international civil presence, the main responsibilities of which include:11 mldr (b) Performing basic civilian administrative functions where and as long as required mldr (g) Supporting the reconstruction of key infrastructure and other economic reconstruction mldr

- as has previously been explained, UNMIK has a complete file concerning the issues raised by the Honourable Member. The Commission will draw UNMIK's attention to the issues raised by the Honourable Member, but it is for UNMIK to respond directly to the Honourable Member. The Honourable Member may, of course, wish to contact UNMIK directly, and the name, address, telephone and fax numbers of the relevant official are sent direct to the Honourable Member as well as to Parliament's Secretariat general.