WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2357/97 by Leonie van BLADEL to the Council. Desirability of an EU ambassador to China and the ASEAN states
Date: 1997-07-18
Institutions: European Parliament, VAN BLADEL
Subjects: ASEAN countries, China, EU relations, common foreign and security policy, democracy, foreign policy, fundamental rights, human rights, rule of law

C 158/6

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

25. 5. 98

(98/C 158/08)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2357/97

by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council

(18 July 1997)

Subject: Desirability of an EU ambassador to China and the ASEAN states

Can the Council confirm that it regards respect for human rights as an important instrument of foreign policy and
in general as a means of promoting stability in the world?

Does the Council feel that there is a need to encourage respect for human rights simultaneously in Africa, Latin
America and Asia?

Does  the  Council  regard  the  enormous  profits  which  EU  countries  are  deriving  from  the  rapid  economic
development  of  the  markets  in  China  and  the  ASEAN  countries  as  a  reason  for  attaching  less  importance  to
respect for human rights in that region?

Does the Council agree that neither the opinions of the Council nor Parliament(cid:146)s monthly resolutions concerning
respect  for  human  rights  in  those  areas  has  resulted  in  a  change  in  policy  on  the  part  of  the  governments  in
question?

On  the  basis  of  pragmatic  considerations  to  promote  stability  in  the  region,  will  the  Council  give  thought  to
whether  a  special  EU  ambassador  to  China  and  to  the  ASEAN  countries  might  lead  to  an  improvement  in
relations between the EU and the European Parliament and those countries and hence, indirectly, to more respect
for human rights?

Answer

(16 February 1998)

The  Honourable  Member  of  Parliament  is  correct  in  her  analysis  that  the  development  and  consolidation  of
democracy and the rule of law, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is one of the essential
elements of the European Union(cid:146)s common foreign and security policy, based on article J.1 of the Treaty on
European Union.

This principle is being applied by the Union worldwide. Thus, the European Union speaks out against violations
of human rights wherever they may occur.

In  order  to  further  the  promotion  and  protection  of  human  rights  in  China  and  the  ASEAN  countries,  the
European Union is engaged in an ongoing human rights dialogue in many fora. With the Chinese authorities in
particular, the European Union is engaged in a human rights dialogue at expert level since 1995. The latest such
meeting took place on 1 and 2 December 1997 in Beijing. The EU tries to achieve tangible improvements in the
human rights situation in China through a constructive dialogue and active cooperation in this field.

Finally, the Council would draw the Honourable Member(cid:146)s attention to the very positive initiatives being taken
by a number of Member States to increase international awareness of human rights issues (seminars, congresses,
exchanges of experts, etc).

(98/C 158/09)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2424/97

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallstro¤m (PPE) to the Commission

(11 July 1997)

Subject: Health risk posed by edible salt

Over-use of salt is the greatest cause of increased blood pressure and hypertension. Increased blood pressure and
hypertension  are  in  turn  the  greatest  and  most  important  factors  increasing  the  risk  of  a  stroke.  High  blood
pressure also increases the risk of heart attacks. Reducing the use of salt would principally mean improving the
health of citizens and thus also reducing health care costs. In Finland salt has been classified as an additive since
before EU membership. Accordingly the use of salt is already subject to precise regulations. No such regulations
as yet exist at EU level.