WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1575/98 by Sérgio RIBEIRO to the Council. Map of the EU on euro coins and failure to differentiate two Member States
Date: 1998-05-25
Institutions: European Parliament, RIBEIRO
Subjects: European Monetary Institute, European Monetary System, Portugal, Spain, dissemination of information, euro, information medium, monetary cooperation, money, public awareness campaign

C 354/114

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

19. 11. 98

In  the  Chairman(cid:146)s  statement,  the  CHR  stated  that  it  continues  to  follow  with  deep  concern  the  reports  on
violations of human rights in East Timor. It stressed the need for the Government of Indonesia to implement its
undertakings to promote human rights in East Timor, and those contained in the CHR Chairman(cid:146)s statements on
the matter, including concrete steps on the early trial and release of East Timorese detained or convicted, as well
as  for  those  in  custody  to  be  treated  humanely.  The  CHR  reiterated  the  need  for  further  clarification  of  the
circumstances surrounding the Dili incident of 1991.

The CHR noted the understanding between the Government of Indonesia and the UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights concerning access of the programme officer to East Timor within the framework of technical
cooperation. The CHR also noted the commitment by the Government of Indonesia to continue to allow greater
access  to  East  Timor  by  the  international  media  and  international  humanitarian  organisations.  The  CHR
welcomed the Government of Indonesia(cid:146)s decision to invite the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to
visit East Timor in advance of the 55th session of the CHR.

(98/C 354/183)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1575/98

by Se·rgio Ribeiro (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(25 May 1998)

Subject: Map of the EU on euro coins and failure to differentiate two Member States

The Council replied to my question P-0169/98 (1) in a way which must be termed unfortunate.

My question highlighted a clear error, at political level, since the designs for euro coins feature a map of the EU
which distinguishes the borders between all the Member States with the exception of Portugal and Spain.

The  Council(cid:146)s  reply  misses  the  point,  which  may  be  a  misunderstanding  due  to  political  expediency,  but  it
concludes with a sentence which I consider to be unacceptable, since it refers to Portugal and Spain as (cid:145)two
separate geographical entities(cid:146). This is not the point. The point was not a matter of geography but the fact that, on
a political map of the European Union, Spain and Portugal are not identified as separate political entities.

Can the Council say whether the above reply was seen and approved by the representatives of these two Member
States of the European Union which, euphemistically speaking, the Council appears tempted to regard politically
as mere (cid:145)geographical entities(cid:146)?

(1)  OJ C 196, 22.6.1998, p. 120.

The Council has nothing to add to its reply to Written Question No P-0169/98.

Answer

(20 July 1998)

(98/C 354/184)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1585/98

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(25 May 1998)

Subject: Slate industry and fourth framework programme for research and development

In  her  reply  to  my  previous  Written  Question  No.  E-4008/97 (1)  and  with  reference  to  the  fourth  framework
programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities,
Mrs Cresson cited by way of example three projects funded under the technology stimulation measures (CRAFT)
scheme  of  the  IMT  programme  (projects  nos.  BES2-5168,  BES2-2134  and  BES2-5271)  involving  the  slate
industry. Some of the 16 SME which took part in these projects are Spanish.