WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3550/98 by Katerina DASKALAKI to the Council. Threatened monuments of Kosovo
Date: 1998-12-01
Institutions: DASKALAKI, European Parliament
Subjects: Kosovo, architectural heritage, cultural cooperation, heritage protection, historic site

C 207/88

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.7.1999

(1999/C 207/117)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3550/98

by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Council

(1 December 1998)

Subject: Threatened monuments of Kosovo

An increasing number of reports are appearing in the international press about the risk of a terrible disaster
befalling the extremely important monuments of Kosovo: Roman monuments, Christian monasteries with
rare manuscripts and icons, Muslim temples of exceptional architectural value etc.

In reply to a question on this subject, the Commission answered that it was not within its terms of reference
and referred to the Council.

Will the Council, therefore, say whether it is apprised of the matter and whether it intends to examine the
possibility of intervening, e.g. by sending a team of experts to assess the situation or making representations to
the relevant authorities in the area?

Reply

(9 March 1999)

1.

Article 128 of the Treaty establishing the European Community stipulates, inter alia, that:

The Community and the Member States shall foster cooperation with third countries and the competent
international organisations in the sphere of culture [...].

Implementation of this provision by the Community, action by which in the cultural sphere is aimed solely at
supporting and supplementing action by the Member States, requires a proposal from the Commission to the
European Parliament and the Council. Since no such proposal concerning the question raised by the
Honourable Member has been put to the Parliament and the Council, they cannot act officially in this context.

2.
The Council is, however, aware of the threats to the historical heritage in Kosovo. The question of the
protection of sites and monuments of great cultural and/or religious value has been tackled on several
occasions by the European Union in its proposals on the future status of Kosovo, in particular in the context of
the Contact Group. The Council hopes that these representations will help towards a resolution of the present
crisis and the safeguarding of Kosovo’s historic monuments.

(1999/C 207/118)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3556/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(1 December 1998)

Subject: Promotion of local speciality agricultural products

The opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Promotion of local speciality agricultural products
as a development instrument under the new CAP’ points out that original manufacturing methods are used to
make premium local products, always from quality raw materials, that the appearance and specific taste of
these products make them more appealing than other similar products, and that they are always associated
with a particular region.

Premium local products are mainly produced in disadvantaged mountainous areas. The added value generated
by these products provides greater stability in the production system and the employment situation, which
helps to prevent rural depopulation, preserves the dignity of local populations and makes a valuable
contribution to rural development.

Against the background of a new CAP and of Agenda 2000, which promises another period of great change
for European farmers, can the Commission put into practice effective measures and methods to promote
quality local products, which are an integral part of Europe’s historical and cultural heritage? The use of
designations of origin for product imitations made outside the official place of origin must not be allowed. No
country, region or product, within or even outside the European Union, has the right to usurp something
which has been built up by the hard work of the manufacturers of quality local products.