WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3174/98 by Michel SCARBONCHI The European Union's cooperation with Congo-Brazzaville
Date: 1998-10-12
Institutions: European Parliament, SCARBONCHI
Subjects: Congo, European Development Fund, European Union, Lomé Convention, civil war, humanitarian aid, international cooperation

C 320/28

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.11.1999

(1999/C 320/037)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3174/98

by Michel Scarbonchi (ARE) to the Commission

(12 October 1998)

Subject: The European Union’s cooperation with Congo-Brazzaville

Can the Commission provide full details of the European Union’s cooperation with Congo-Brazzaville since
1994 through both the EDF and the Community budget? In addition, what conditions govern the European
Union’s cooperation with this country under the Lomé Convention?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 1998)

The European Union¢s cooperation with Congo (Brazzaville) had to be suspended for security reasons during
the civil war. The Union stated its position on the civil war and the new regime in its statement of 3 November
1997 in which it pointed out that resumption of cooperation would depend on progress in national
reconciliation and the legitimisation of the authorities.

Since then progress has been made through the formation of a Government of National Unity, the
organisation of a national forum for unity, democracy and reconstruction and agreement on a transitional
period of three years at the end of which presidential and parliamentary elections are to be held in 2000 and
the setting up of a National Council to function as the country’s legislative body during the transitional period.

The Community has provided approximately ECU 12 million in humanitarian aid and the Commission plans
to provide a further ECU 1,2 million by the end of the year. In the light of the progress made in national
reconciliation and democratisation, the Commission has authorised the resumption of most of the seventh
European Development Fund (EDF) projects, giving priority to those which directly benefit victims of the
fighting and provide for rehabilitation needs. Programming under the eighth EDF can be considered once
Congo priorities and sectoral policies have been defined.

Funds committed to Congo as part of Community cooperation from 1994 to 1998 total approximately
ECU 54,8 million, ECU 40,6 million under national (ECU 39,1 million) and regional (ECU 1,5 million)
indicative programmes, ECU 12 million as humanitarian aid and ECU 2,2 million under the Community
budget. A full account of commitments made is being sent directly to the Honourable Member and to
Parliament’s Secretariat.

(1999/C 320/038)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3203/98

by Honório Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(27 October 1998)

Subject: Situation at Autoeuropa

Autoeuropa is a joint Ford/Volkswagen investment in Portugal, which has received considerable cofinancing
from the Structural Funds.

This investment appears to have been based on the assumption that the factory will remain in operation up to
2001 and on a commitment that every effort will be made to continue production over the period 2001-2014.

The programme for the production chain agreed in the contract provided for the opening of a third shift,
which has not materialised to date.

It is now known, however, that Ford has withdrawn from the project. Following this, the Commission has
decided to ask Ford and Volkswagen to state their intentions concerning the future of Autoeuropa.