WRITTEN QUESTION P-2389/99 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Threats to European investments in Cuba.
Date: 1999-12-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cuba, EU investment, Spain, United States, trade agreement (EU)

C 203 E/170

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2000

The Commission is also committing M€ 10 to the new trust fund of the United Nations transitory
administration in East Timor (Untaet), offering basic administrative and logistical support for future
transitional administration and humanitarian assistance.

From a development perspective, a coherent rehabilitation and reconstruction strategy for the relatively
small territory of East Timor will require extensive co-ordination among all parties. The recent joint
assessment mission led by the World Bank (cid:129) in which the Commission participated actively (cid:129) will
provide a basis for developing a blueprint for concrete long-term action that will be discussed at a donors(cid:146)
meeting in Tokyo on 17 December 1999. The Commission is currently evaluating the joint mission(cid:146)s
summary report with a view to identifying areas where the Community can best contribute in order to
maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of its aid.

(2000/C 203 E/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2376/99

by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Esperanto

Would the Commission give consideration to the inclusion of Esperanto as one of the EU working
languages?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(6 January 2000)

In accordance with Article 290 of the EC Treaty, (cid:145)The rules governing the languages of the institutions of
the Community shall [(cid:133)] be determined by the Council, acting unanimously.(cid:146) That Article does not
provide for any proposal on the part of the Commission.

(2000/C 203 E/220)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2389/99

by Gorka Kn(cid:246)rr Borr(cid:224)s (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Threats to European investments in Cuba

(1 December 1999)

According to information from official sources, the Spanish undertaking Sol-MeliÆ has recently been
subjected to pressure from the US authorities over its investments in Cuba.

Is the Commission aware of
this pressure? Does it share the view that pressure of any kind on
undertakings from a Member State amounts to a clear gesture of hostility to the European Union as a
whole?

Has the Commission taken steps to examine the matter?

Should the existence of this pressure be confirmed, does the Commission intend to take any form of action
in the framework of the agreements subscribed between the EU and the US?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 1999)

The Commission is aware that the American authorities have been conducting enquiries under the Helms-
Burton Act into the activities in Cuba of certain Community companies, including Sol-MeliÆ.

18.7.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 203 E/171

The Community-United States understanding of 18 May 1998 represents a package of commitments by
both sides that attempt a full resolution of the bilateral issues raised by the United States extra-territorial
legislation. This package forestalls action by the Community in the World trade organisation (WTO) to
have this legislation declared incompatible with the United States(cid:146) multilateral trade commitments. Since
that understanding was reached, there has so far been no action against Community companies or
individuals under the Helms-Burton Act. The Community did, however, make it clear, at the time of the
understanding, that its commitment not to seek to establish a WTO panel against the Helms-Burton or
Iran/Libya Sanctions Acts only stood as long as no action were taken against Community companies or
individuals under these Acts.

In recent high-level contacts with the United States, the Commission has made its position on the issue of
Helms-Burton and the Community(cid:146)s concerns about the Sol-MeliÆ case unequivocally clear. The United
States has been urged to honour its commitments under the 18 May 1998 package with regard to Title IV
of the Helms-Burton Act.

The Commission is following this matter very closely and will keep the Parliament informed of any
significant new developments.

(2000/C 203 E/221)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2409/99

by Manuel PØrez `lvarez (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Falling birth rates in the EU

The fact that the EU(cid:146)s population figures are falling is reflected in a birth rate lower than has even been
known in peacetime or in a period without major epidemics, namely 1,45 children per woman. In the
southern countries the rate is lower still, 1,2 in Spain, Portugal and Italy, and as low as 0,8 in certain
regions such as Galicia, the East German l(cid:228)nder and northern Italy.

What is being done to study the phenomenon of the rapidly ageing European population? Have any
measures been put forward with a view to stimulating the birth rate and increase the population?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question E-1830/99 by
Mr Mar(cid:237)nos (1).

(1) OJ C 170 E, 20.6.2000, p. 110.

(2000/C 203 E/222)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2422/99

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(13 December 1999)

Subject: Subsidies for coal and nuclear energy

The White Paper on renewable energy requires the Commission to take action against the subsidisation of
coal and nuclear energy.

1. What action has the Commission taken:

(a) against direct subsidies for coal,

(b) against indirect subsidies for coal,