WRITTEN QUESTION P-1840/99 by Christos Folias (PPE-DE) to the Commission. The European Union's environmental policy.
Date: 1999-10-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, Serbia and Montenegro, war damage

C 303 E/8

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

24.10.2000

The enormous quantities of toxic pollutants released into the environment have found their way into
the water distribution system, the ground water, the Danube and other waterways in areas hundreds of
kilometres from Pancevo. Despite the partial evacuation of the population, which stood at 150 000 inha-
bitants prior to the bombing, there has been an alarming increase in the adverse effects on public health of
the pollution caused by the bombing, which include pulmonary disorders, miscarriages, blood and nervous
system disorders.

The above situation has been described by reports from specialised United Nations staff, based on
inspections in the field, from environmental associations and from European journalists, most recently
the Italian Fulvio Grimaldi.

1. What urgent action does the Commission intend to take in order to contain the damage that is being
done to the health of people living in the area and the surrounding countries?

2. What emergency means does it intend to make available, within the framework of the Obnova
programme and the recent decisions taken by the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Union in Saariselka,
in order to ensure a rapid clean-up in the regions already affected and those that are likely to be affected
by the disaster?

(2000/C 303 E/007)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1840/99

by Christos Folias (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 October 1999)

Subject: The European Union(cid:146)s environmental policy

The environmental damage caused by the recent military intervention in Kosovo has not yet been fully
assessed, and it is likely that the health of inhabitants of the region is at risk.

Cross-border pollution (cid:129) in the atmosphere and the sea and rivers (cid:129) may also have polluted the
environment in neighbouring countries and in particular in Greece as well as in the other Balkan countries
that have applied to join the European Union and are subject to the pre-accession environmental strategy.

Will the Commission say:

1. Does it intend to assess the environmental damage to the region and, if so, when?

2. Why have the European Environmental Agency in Copenhagen and the Ispra research centre, which
have the necessary know-how and technology to carry out the necessary investigations, not yet been
involved?

3. How does it intend to ensure that the funding of countries in the region within the framework of the
Stability Pact and the organisation for the reconstruction of the Balkans includes environmental
aspects?

(2000/C 303 E/008)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1871/99

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 October 1999)

Subject: Assessment of the environmental consequences of the war in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

and measures to protect public health and the environment and to repair the damage

In view of the fact that:

A. The military operations over the last few months in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and in Kosovo
in particular, have caused significant damage to the environment owing to the release of large
amounts of exceptionally toxic and radioactive substances resulting from the use of ammunition
containing depleted uranium. These substances now pose a direct threat to the public health of the
inhabitants of the region and neighbouring countries;