WRITTEN QUESTION No. 984/98 by Eryl McNALLY to the Commission. UFO sightings within the European Community
Date: 1998-04-02
Institutions: European Parliament, MCNALLY
Subjects: EU policy, foreign national, public safety, space vehicle

C 310/152

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

9. 10. 98

(98/C 310/210)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0984/98

by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission

(2 April 1998)

Subject: UFO sightings within the European Community

One of my constituents has enquired about Europe(cid:146)s position on Unidentified Flying Objects. In his letter, he
reports two witnessed sightings of UFOs in Britain and also in Belgium, both involving military personnel. When
he approached national ministers for their response, he felt it inappropriately lax, and this led him to question the
foundations of national and European security in these matters. He also implies the possibility of a cover-up
which may well be detrimental to European citizens and the notion of security in general.

In light of the above, what measures does the Commission feel are required to ensure that European citizens are
reassured as to their security in relation to Unidentified Flying Objects? Indeed, is there any European policy on
UFOs or room for elaboration on any existing policy?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(15 April 1998)

The Commission takes the view that it has no jurisdiction in this matter.

(98/C 310/211)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0988/98

by Cristiana Muscardini (NI), Amedeo Amadeo (NI), Roberta Angelilli (NI),
Spalato Bellere· (NI), Marco Cellai (NI), Sebastiano Musumeci (NI), Gastone Parigi (NI),
Salvatore Tatarella (NI) and Antonio Trizza (NI) to the Commission

Subject: Pre-accession negotiations with Slovenia

(2 April 1998)

Fifty years after the end of the war, Slovenia(cid:146)s ambassador to Italy has stated that the time has not yet come for
reconciliation between Italy and Slovenia. As is well known, there are still outstanding issues in the field of
bilateral relations between the two countries (the return of property confiscated from the exiles forced to abandon
their homes in 1947 and recognition of the brutal massacres carried out in the (cid:145)Foibe(cid:146) limestone chasms), and for
some time the two parties have been making diplomatic efforts to reach satisfactory solutions to these and other
problems.  The  ambassador(cid:146)s  remarks  contrast  sharply  with  these  efforts,  and  are  hardly  consistent  with  his
country(cid:146)s desire to accede to the EU, which stands for peace and harmony in international relations.

In view of the foregoing,

1.  What  is  the  Commission(cid:146)s  opinion  of  the  statement  in  question,  in  view  of  the  forthcoming  opening  of

pre-accession negotiations with Slovenia?

2.  Does  it  agree  that,  regardless  of  questions  that  fall  within  the  province  of  bilateral  relations,  this  hostile
stance is incompatible with the friendly relations, based on mutual respect, that prevail between Member
States of the Union?

3.  Does it agree that this imprudent and unacceptable attitude, which indicates contempt for human rights in
respect  of  the  two  unresolved  questions  referred  to  above,  could  jeopardize  the  smooth  progress  and
objective nature of the negotiations?

4.  Does it agree that, as a useful and necessary preliminary to embarking on pre-accession negotiations with
Slovenia, that country should be asked to clarify its position with regard to reconciliation with Italy?