WRITTEN QUESTION No. 158/99 by José BARROS MOURA to the Commission. Refugees in Díli (East Timor)
Date: 1999-02-11
Institutions: BARROS MOURA, European Parliament
Subjects: EU aid, East Timor, aid to refugees, civilian victim, emergency aid, humanitarian aid, refugee, repression

15.10.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 297/149

(1999/C 297/203)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0158/99

by José Barros Moura (PSE) to the Commission

(11 February 1999)

Subject: Refugees in Díli (East Timor)

Is the Commission able to confirm or deny press reports to the effect that hundreds of people have sought
refuge in Díli as they flee from armed civilian groups who are spreading panic amongst the population in
various parts of East Timor? Can the Commission take any action to support the refugees on the basis of earlier
decisions concerning humanitarian aid to the people of East Timor?

Through which organisations would such aid be channelled?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 1999)

The Commission confirms that various militia groupings attacked civilians in Dili recently. There are reports
about 5000 people being threatened and seeking refuge in churches. In the days following the incidents the
situation did not get out of hand and tension has now eased.

The Commission and the Member States have pledged their commitment to provide continuing support to
help the people of East Timor. The Commission has shown and will continue to show its preparedness to
respond to events calling for emergency aid.

In the meantime the delegation in Jakarta will closely follow, in close concertation with Member States, the
development of events and advise the Commission of any measures which would be instrumental to alleviate
new problems.

(1999/C 297/204)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0160/99

by Riccardo Garosci (PPE) to the Council

(29 January 1999)

Subject: Additional commissions on euro transactions

In compliance with the provisions laid down by the ABI (Italian Bankers Association) some Italian banks are
charging commissions over and above normal bank charges on cheques made out in euros received from euro
zone countries, thus treating such payments as foreign transactions.

In so doing, they are failing to adhere to the ’standard of good practice’ and negating the purpose of the single
currency, thereby showing scant regard for the interests of their clients and the legitimate hopes raised by the
euro’s launch only a few weeks ago.

Given that the Commission has consistently maintained 5 firstly in the Regulation of 1997 on the use of the
euro and subsequently in the Regulation of 1998 on the transitional phase and the Recommendation of
23 April 1998 on bank charges (with particular regard to Article 2 thereof) 5 that no foreign exchange
commissions or additional fees over and above those normally levied on foreign services should be charged on
banking transactions conducted in euros, how does the Council intend to ensure that a stop is put to these
unfair practices without delay?

Reply

(26 April 1999)

In its recommendation of 23 April 1998 concerning banking charges for conversion to the euro, which
1.
was addressed to Member States and to banks and their associations, the Commission considered that banks
are not legally entitled to charge for the conversion of incoming payments either denominated in euro or in
national currency during the transitional period, for the conversion of accounts from national currency into
euro at the end of the transitional period, a different fee for services in euro than that charged for identical
services in national currency.