WRITTEN QUESTION E-2732/99 by Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Nicaragua: corruption and EU aid.
Date: 2000-01-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing arrangements, Nicaragua, corruption, fraud against the EU, political prisoner

C 280 E/118

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.10.2000

(2000/C 280 E/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2732/99

by Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(18 January 2000)

Subject: Nicaragua: corruption and EU aid

Following the arrest of the President of the Nicaraguan Court of Auditors, Mr Agustin Jarquin, who had
irregularities committed by the present government, does the EU
spoken out against serious financial
intend to review its programme of aid to the country without delay, pending Mr Jarquin(cid:146)s release, the
reestablishment of proper institutional controls on the activities of the government and a thorough
investigation of the above allegations?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 2000)

The cases of corruption reported by the President of the Nicaraguan Court of Auditors do not specifically
relate to funds from the international community. Nevertheless, the Commission shares the Honourable
Member(cid:146)s concern about the events leading to the Nicaraguan Controller-General(cid:146)s arrest. The Commission
considers that democratic institutions such as the Controller-General(cid:146)s Office are the basis for the rule of
law and development
in each country and should therefore be able to function without political
interference.

For this reason the Commission fully endorsed the European Union Troika(cid:146)s request to the Nicaraguan
Foreign Affairs Minister on 18 November 1999 to stress the European Union(cid:146)s concern about the
situation. The Commission is delighted that the points raised by the European Union and other members
of the international community probably contributed to Mr Jaquin(cid:146)s release on 24 December 1999, thus
giving the authority back to such an important institution to control and verify the proper use of
Nicaraguan public funds as well as funds from the international community.

In order to improve the control and proper utilisation of funds, the Commission applies a system for
major projects using European experts in a management unit which supervises the correct and accountable
in accordance with the financing agreements. It also uses evaluation and
use of Community funding,
monitoring missions to ensure the smooth running of projects and the proper use of financial resources,
and the Commission Delegation in Managua plays an essential role in monitoring, making it possible to
strengthen controls locally.

(2000/C 280 E/125)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2734/99

by Carlo Fatuzzo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 January 2000)

Subject: Italian law which discriminates against disabled persons over the age of 65

Article 13 of the Treaty of Amsterdam states that the Union is to combat all discrimination based on age.

Is the Commission aware of the fact that Italian law (Article 19 of Law No 118 of 30 March 1971 and
subsequent amendments) provides for the granting of a life-long financial benefit for citizens who are
completely disabled and who apply for the benefit before the age of 65 but that the benefit is not payable
to those who, despite meeting all the other conditions for eligibility, apply for the benefit after the age of
65? Is it aware of the fact that Italian old people, despite meeting all the disability conditions required by
law, are discriminated against on the basis of their age when they apply for the benefit, a fact which has a
life-long impact on whether or not they receive the benefit?

Does the Commission intend to ask Italy to repeal this law, as a matter of urgency?