WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2934/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Unacceptable 'non-paper' Commission reports concerning the Cyprus problem
Date: 1997-09-17
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: Cyprus, Türkiye, access to EU information, confidentiality, document, international issue, international relations, press, settlement of disputes, the EU's international role

16. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 117/105

2.
The total cost of the Flevonet project is 1 443 990 guilders (about ECU 656 359). ERDF contributes 24% of
the total cost. This is under the financial limits indicated for measure 8.2: (cid:145)ERDF will grant aid up to 50% of the
costs to establish these facilities (investment). ERDF may also make a contribution of 25% to the operating costs
of the centres for the first two years of operation(cid:146).

3.
Flevonet is the digital computer network in Flevoland. It is a single network for the province, with free
admission  for  all  residents  in  Flevoland  after  fixed  connection  charges  of  49.50  guilders  (ECU 22.5).  Other
interested parties that want to use Flevonet (especially enterprises) have to pay in order to do so. The computer
network is also mentioned in the regional technology plan developed for Flevoland. This report concludes that
(cid:145).... in order to keep pace with the digital revolution it is necessary for Flevoland to lower the thresholds for
entrance to computer networks and databases. A special facility has to be created for this purpose(cid:146).

Facilities  were  necessary  for  the  setting-up,  management  and  operation  of  the  network.  For  this  reason
Flevonetwerken  BV  was  founded.  The  feasibility  of  the  project  was  tested  by  PTT  Telecom  and  Intercain
telematics consultants. Their recommendations were positive, subject to noting the possibility of a shortfall in
earnings during the first years.

The Flevonet project has, after one year of operation, over 10 000 connections (0-accounts), which is twice to
three  times  the  national  average.  Until  now  160  paying  accounts  have  been  opened,  which  is  at  the  moment
insufficient  to  cover  all  expenditure.  The  expectation  is  that  the  number  of  paying  accounts  will  increase
substantially in the near future.

The  Commission  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  project  meets  the  objectives  of  the  structural  funds.  An  ERDF
contribution was necessary for the realisation of the computer network. The feasibility of the project was tested
in  advance.  The  project  contributes  to  the  introduction  and  acceptance  of  information  technologies  and  their
application in society. The project may function as a catalyst for the development of other projects in the field of
information technologies in Flevoland, such as tele-working.

(98/C 117/134)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2934/97

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(17 September 1997)

Subject: Unacceptable (cid:145)non-paper(cid:146) Commission reports concerning the Cyprus problem

The Greek (cid:145)Tempo Newsweek(cid:146) periodical refers to secret (cid:145)non-paper(cid:146) Community reports recommending the
immediate commencement of proceedings with a view to dividing Cyprus definitively into two communities,
since it has to date been impossible to reach any agreement with Ankara concerning the Cyprus question. These
unacceptable reports, which are being circulated in the Commission in the form of (cid:145)working documents(cid:146), indicate
that  the  Greek  Cypriot  representatives  will  be  required  to  recognize  the  unacceptable  Turkish  Cypriot
pseudo-State as it now stands › the result of the 1974 invasion and, furthermore, to encourage its European
outlook.

This  is  a  particularly  serious  matter,  affecting  the  already  weakened  credibility  of  EU  efforts  to  resolve  the
problem concerning the invasion and occupation of the island. In view of this what is the Commission(cid:146)s official
position  regarding  these  (cid:145)non-paper(cid:146)  reports  which  have  now  been  made  public  and  faithfully  echo  official
Turkish policy on this matter?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(17 October 1997)

The Commission has no knowledge of the secret non-paper reports on Cyprus cited by the Honourable Member
and is therefore not in a position to comment on them.