WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3692/97 by Kirsi PIHA to the Commission. Effect on Estonia of changes to the tasks of the PHARE programme
Date: 1997-11-19
Institutions: European Parliament, PIHA
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, Estonia, accession to the European Union, development aid, operational programme

16. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187/39

Answer

(19 March 1998)

On 6 October 1997 the Council of the European Union decided to extend for a new period of six months the
Common  Position  on  Burma.  This  Position  was  initially  adopted  on  28  October  1996 (1)  and  contains
administrative sanctions such as restricting movement of all military personnel of Burmese diplomatic missions
in the European Union, bans all military equipment sales to Burma, imposes visa restrictions for members of the
ruling council and their relatives as well as it suspends all high-level talks between the European Union and
officials of the regime. As it is considered unlikely that the recent replacement of some members of the Burmese
leadership, the dissolution of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) and the establishment of the
State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) will lead to substantial changes, the policy of the Union remains
for the time-being unchanged.

This  policy  is  well  known.  The  Union  has  on  many  occasions  issued  strong  public  statements  deploring  the
human rights situation and the lack of democracy in Burma. Time and again the Union has urged the SLORC to
enter  into  meaningful  dialogue  with  all  democratic  opposition  parties,  including  the  National  League  for
Democracy who had some of its members arrested on 28 October 1997.

The Union monitors closely the developments in Burma and underlines constantly with its international dialogue
partners, especially the ASEAN States, the need for reform in Burma and the important role these countries have
in pressuring the rulers in Rangoon to adopt change.

The Council bodies are currently reviewing the Common Position on Burma, adopted on 28 October 1996. There
is a wide consensus in favour of renewal for a further period of six months from 29 April, on which date this
Common  Position  expires.  At  present,  the  Council  does  not  envisage  additional  measures  such  as  economic
sanctions.

(1)  OJ L 287/96, 8.11.1996.

(98/C 187/66)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3692/97

by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(19 November 1997)

Subject: Effect on Estonia of changes to the tasks of the PHARE programme

The European Union gives aid to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe through its PHARE programme.
The Commission(cid:146)s guidelines regarding the PHARE programme for the next few years have changed the aid
system to some extent. What effect does the Commission consider these changes will have on aid to Estonia in
1998 as compared with 1997?

(98/C 187/67)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3699/97

by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(19 November 1997)

Subject: Utilization of PHARE appropriations for Estonia

The European Union aids the countries of Central and Eastern Europe through its PHARE programme. A great
deal of aid has presumably been provided from this programme for the development of the countries which have
applied  for  membership  of  the  EU.  Can  the  Commission  provide  details  of  the  utilization  of  appropriations
granted under PHARE in 1997 for Estonia?