WRITTEN QUESTION E-0175/00 by Olivier Duhamel (PSE) to the Commission. European award.
Date: 2000-01-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU competence, European Commission, European social policy, civil defence, honour

24.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 303 E/155

(2000/C 303 E/170)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0175/00

by Olivier Duhamel (PSE) to the Commission

(31 January 2000)

Subject: European award

When the recent storms devastated part of Western Europe, hundreds of Europeans, civilians and military
personnel, came from their countries to the disaster area to offer their skills and energies in an attempt to
repair what could be repaired and help the stricken inhabitants.

In the light of these exemplary acts of solidarity, the European Union and the Commission in particular
might think fit to establish a European award in the form of, say, a European order of merit to confer
distinction on citizens or groups of citizens who had worked in one way or another to strengthen
cohesion among the peoples of the Union countries or embody European public-spiritedness.

Could the Commission, or more specifically its President, say whether it would consider it admissible to
institute such an award for courage and solidarity in the service of the Union and, if the award were
deemed acceptable, could it swiftly determine how it might be brought into being?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2000)

Although the Commission understands and shares the Honourable Member(cid:146)s concern, it feels that such
action does not fall within its jurisdiction.

However, it could be considered when the time comes for the Union to look in depth at the question of
civil protection at European level.

(2000/C 303 E/171)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0186/00

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Unsupervised burial of radioactive materials in Albania and the southern Balkans

At a recent meeting in Rome between the Greek Minister of Public Order and the Italian Minister of the
Interior (in the presence of their Albanian counterpart), the parties involved expressed concern at the
possible pollution of the Adriatic from attempts to bury radioactive materials at uncontrolled sites and
discussed means of stamping out the smuggling of radioactive materials and the channelling of these
materials to Albania and the southern Balkans.

1. What information does the Commission have concerning the smuggling of radioactive materials in
Albania and other Balkan countries?

2. What measures is it taking to limit the pollution of the Adriatic from the uncontrolled dumping of
radioactive materials?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2000)

The Commission regularly receives information on cases involving illicit

1.
trafficking in nuclear
materials and radioactive substances uncovered by the authorities. The Commission is aware of the specific
problems relating to the former Yugoslavia and Albania. The Environment DG(cid:146)s Radiation Protection Unit
has therefore set up an extensive awareness-raising and training programme with the aim of helping the
Balkan states, amongst others, to establish effective measures to combat illicit nuclear traffic.