WRITTEN QUESTION E-1620/99 by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission. Control of Internet use in Tunisia.
Date: 1999-09-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Internet, Tunisia, association agreement (EU), censorship

18.7.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 203 E/11

the Agenda 2000 package, provides for the grant of premiums for bison. Indeed, in the case of live
animals, the definition of bovine animals in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 (and the
corresponding Article of Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999) covers only (cid:145)live animals of the domestic bovine
species(cid:146) described in the Combined Nomenclature (CN) (3). In practice this means that aid for domestic
bovine animals cannot be paid in respect of other bovine animals (including bison).

Two kinds of problem would arise if bison were to be included in the support scheme for domestic bovine
animals. Firstly, a greater number of animal species would enjoy Community support. Member States have
on a number of occasions been unwilling to accept such an increase. The matter was raised again during
the Agenda 2000 discussions, when it was decided not to change the legal status of bison and their
eligibility for beef premiums. The second problem arises in the context of the Community(cid:146)s international
relations. A fresh round of international trade negotiations (WTO talks (cid:129) World Trade Organisation) starts
in November 1999, when the Community(cid:146)s partners are likely to challenge the direct aid it grants under
the common agricultural policy. In these circumstances, therefore, it would not be appropriate to extend
the scope of this aid to include more species.

(1) OJ L 148, 28.6.1968.
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.
(3)

See explanatory notes in OJ C 287, 15.9.1998.

(2000/C 203 E/013)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1620/99

by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission

(15 September 1999)

Subject: Control of Internet use in Tunisia

Tunisia ranks amongst the countries in which Internet access is subject to the strictest control and
censorship, the aim being to avoid the propagation of (cid:145)subversive ideas(cid:146) and to protect (cid:145)state security(cid:146). Such
control takes the form of a state monopoly on access, checks on providers, the compulsory registration of
users, and the screening and monitoring of electronic mail. As a result, Tunisian citizens seeking to
exercise freedom of information and expression find themselves faced with extremely severe legal action.

Does the Commission not consider that such practices by the authorities in Tunis run counter to the spirit
and the letter of the Association Agreement between Tunisia and the European Union?

What measures have been or will be taken by the Commission to induce Tunisia to abolish the state
monopoly on Internet access and to eliminate firewall screening, checks on providers, the compulsory
registration of users and the monitoring of electronic mail?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(18 October 1999)

The Commission is aware of the extent to which the Tunisian authorities control use of the Internet.

All applications to subscribe to the Internet pass through the Tunisian Internet agency (ATI) which also
acts as a server for the Government and some diplomatic missions. There are two private companies
(Planet Tunisie and Global Tunisie) authorised as servers for private subscribers. Other institutional servers
exist in several areas of the public sector (education, research institutes, etc.). The number of Internet

C 203 E/12

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2000

connections in Tunisia remains low (less than the world average) in spite of the authorities(cid:146) efforts to
promote its use in education and business. Nevertheless, Tunisia has recognised the importance of the
Internet to its business sector and for the competitiveness of its economy. User charges have recently fallen
considerably.

The Association Agreement between the Community and Tunisia does not contain any specific provision
on free access to the media; however, Article 2 states in general that human rights, which include the right
to inform and be informed, are an essential part of the Agreement. The Commission follows the Tunisian
human rights issue closely, including the citizen(cid:146)s right of access to the media and the Internet, notably
through the regular reports on the human rights situation drawn up by the Member State and Commission
heads of mission in Tunisia and through the ongoing political dialogue with the Tunisian authorities.

Tunisia is also invited to participate in regional programmes in the MEDA framework in order to promote
a new regional approach to telecommunications and the information society.

(2000/C 203 E/014)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1638/99

by Efstratios Korakas (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(22 September 1999)

Subject: The disastrous impact of the CAP and the need to review it

The reviews of the CAP carried out under the Treaty of Maastricht, and under Agenda 2000 to be
implemented by the year 2006, are drastically reducing growth rates in agriculture in order to adapt it to
market conditions, as shaped by the WTO (World Trade Organisation) and the EMU.

This reduction in growth rates in agriculture has reduced agricultural employment, wiped out small and
medium-scale farming, especially in countries like Greece, where the agricultural population was large. It
has also produced economic stagnation and rural depopulation, as well as deterioration of the environ-
ment.

Will the Commission be persisting with the same policies which will accelerate this disastrous course of
events for rural areas, or does it intend to propose, as called for by farmers and in particular those with
small or medium-sized holdings, to halt them, and take appropriate action to change their direction?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(20 October 1999)

One of the objectives of reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) under Agenda 2000 is indeed to
ensure a better adaptation to market requirements. In addition, the reform aims to achieve several other
objectives, such as maintaining a fair standard of living for the farming community, integrating environ-
mental goals and establishing rural development policy as a second pillar of the CAP.

It is true that the number of people employed in agriculture, forestry and fishery declined in Greece by
21 % during the period 1987-1997. However, for the 12 Member States the number decreased by 31 %
during this period. It is also true that the most important reduction in farm numbers in Greece was
observed for small farms operating an agricultural area of less than 10 hectares. On the other hand, the
remaining small and medium-scale farms were able to improve their economic base by increasing their
production capacities. Possible problems of depopulation and environmental
issues are specifically
addressed by rural development measures, in particular in objective 1 regions. Despite any diversity at
the local level, population statistics indicate an increase of population during the last 10 years for the
majority of Greek rural areas (nomenclature of territorial statistical units (NUTS) 3 level).