WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4113/97 by Yves VERWAERDE to the Commission. Geopolitical situation in the Great Lakes region
Date: 1998-01-16
Institutions: European Parliament, VERWAERDE
Subjects: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, border war, ethnic conflict, political crisis, political violence

C 174/162

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

8. 6. 98

(98/C 174/240)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4113/97

by Yves Verwaerde (PPE) to the Commission

(16 January 1998)

Subject: Geopolitical situation in the Great Lakes region

What is the Commission(cid:146)s position on the geopolitical situation in the Great Lakes region?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 1998)

In  recent  years  the  Great  Lakes  region  has  been  rocked  by  a  series  of  unprecedented  political,  social  and
humanitarian crises. The Kigali and Kinshasa governments were ousted by a military alliance which linked the
ethnic conflicts in the Great Lakes with the destiny of the Congo (former Zaire) and the strategic interests of
Uganda and Angola. The genocide in Rwanda, the civil war in Burundi and ethnic persecutions before and during
the  recent  conflict  in  the  Congo  claimed  hundreds  of  thousands  of  victims,  while  millions  of  people  were
displaced.  Violent  clashes  and  the  daily  struggle  for  survival  have  left  deep  resentment  between  the  various
population groups.

But the political and military upheavals have also given rise to the hope that new forms of regional integration
and co-operation can be achieved if the countries in the region succeed in re-establishing peace and relaunching
the economy. The Great Lakes and Central Africa region have an exceptional abundance and variety of natural
resources. Demographic pressure, which has become a serious problem in some countries in so far as population
groups are confined to narrow national borders, also represents considerable potential if a regional area can be
created in which people and goods can move freely and safely and economic opportunities are available. The
Commission has long envisioned the regional development of the Great Lakes region and is ready to initiate
dialogue with the countries of the region on regional integration.

The Commission is aware that for the process of peace and regional integration to be successful, the security of
the states concerned must be ensured; this continues to be threatened › from the outside as well as from within ›
by various armed opposition groups. But peace cannot be attained solely by military action against rebellions. It
is essential that the legitimate defence of national sovereignty be combined with a reconciliation policy that goes
beyond national borders. The interests  of  all population  groups  must  be  given  due  consideration, both  at the
economic  level  and  in  terms  of  participation  in  political  life.  Respect  for  human  rights  and  international
humanitarian law must be re-established. Security is not the privilege of States; it is also a fundamental right for
individuals. The safety of individuals has several aspects, all of which must be addressed: protection against
persecution, safety of people and property, but also food security, the fight against poverty and protection of the
environmental and economic basis essential for the survival of societies.

Re-establishing peace in the broad sense is a formidable challenge, but it seems the only possible way to secure
lasting stability in this beleaguered region. The Community is ready to help the countries that embark on this
process, but the political prerequisites must come from the region itself and its political leaders: dialogue and
reconciliation  at  national  and  regional  level,  the  creation  of  a  constitutional  and  legal  framework  for  open
societies and economies, and the establishment of an administration that can manage public affairs efficiently.
These conditions reflect the spirit and letter of the Lome· Convention, which is the principal standard for relations
between the Community and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

(98/C 174/241)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-4152/97

by Francesco Baldarelli (PSE) to the Commission

(7 January 1998)

Subject: The application of Regulation (EEC) 2078/92 in the Italian regions

In response to written opinions from the Commission and a judgment by the Regional Administrative Court the
Regional Council of the Marches issued an act regulating the application of Regulation (EEC) 2078/92 (1), in
particular measure A2, (cid:145)organic farming(cid:146).