WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1757/98 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Czech authorities ghettoise Romas
Date: 1998-05-27
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: Czechia, EU financing, EU programme, Roma, education, racism, social integration, vocational training

22.12.98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 402/159

(98/C 402/212)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1757/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(27 May 1998)

Subject: Czech authorities ghettoise Romas

Is the European Commission aware of the fact that Czech authorities of the town Usti nad Labem are planning to
ghettoise several hundred Romas by building a wall around their blocks of flats to segregate them from Czech
residents and what measures will the Commission undertake to ensure that this act of racism will be stopped?

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

(18 June 1998)

The Commission is aware of the issue referred to by the Honourable Member. Senior Commission staff have
raised the matter with the Czech authorities at the highest level and expressed concern.

The accession partnership for the Czech Republic of March 1998 mentions further work on the integration of the
Roma as one of the priorities. The draft 1998 Phare programme for the Czech Republic foresees considerable
support to achieve this through the financing of activities related to education, training, legal advice and public
awareness. This support comes in addition to what Phare is providing since 1993 to improve the situation of the
Roma in the Czech Republic.

It should also be noted that the Czech government, in October 1997, approved a national programme to support
the Roma in their integration into Czech society. The first progress reports on this programme are expected before
this summer. In line with the provisions of the accession partnership, the meeting of the Community and the
Czech Association Committee of 9 July 1998 will be an appropriate occasion for the Czech authorities to report
about the progress in its national programme and for the Community to reiterate its position on the situation of the
Roma in that country.

(98/C 402/213)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1835/98

by Robin Teverson (ELDR) to the Commission

(12 June 1998)

Subject: EU development aid projects

Would the Commission please provide details of past and current EU-sponsored development aid projects in
Africa which include efforts to help people suffering from HIV/AIDS? Could it also indicate the amount of
money devoted to these projects?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(24 June 1998)

Since 1987 the Community has committed around 200 MECU in direct support to human immunodeficiency
virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) intervention in over 90 different developing countries
and to regional and international initiatives. Further support has also been mobilised through special appropria-
tion and programmes, for example the non governmental organisations (NGO) co-financing budget line and
through the Community research programme.

The Community financial support has been spread over various strategic sectors from prevention to health sector
support, research, training and capacity building to technical assistance. Community financial support has also
been spread over most regions of the world and the Community has worked with many different partners over the