WRITTEN QUESTION E-0352/00 by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission. Italian economic initiative in Serbia.
Date: 2000-02-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, Serbia and Montenegro, application of EU law, international sanctions

24.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 303 E/181

(2000/C 303 E/205)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0352/00

by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission

(14 February 2000)

Subject: Italian economic initiative in Serbia

The Saturday, 22 January 2000 edition of the Italian newspaper (cid:145)La Stampa(cid:146) carried the following report:
(cid:145)Italian firms are breaking the NATO embargo on Serbia (cid:129) Italian-made goods on sale in Belgrade (cid:129)
From February, a range of products will be available in the telecommunications, metallurgy, food and
clothing sectors. The Consorzio Europeo Italia comprises not only Italian but also French firms: Paladini,
Bigelli Marmi, Santo Galeazzi Pagassus, Bulbarelli, Atb, Elf Aquitaine, Cacciamali, Samco, Inside Interna-
tional, Il Ponte, Ato Findley and Fineca. The sectors covered range from food to metallurgy, telecommu-
nications and furniture ((cid:133))(cid:146)

Does the Commission not consider that the economic initiative in question flies in the face of the decisions
taken by the European Union and confirmed at the meeting of Monday, 24 January 2000, at which the EU
Foreign ministers decided to maintain intact the economic sanctions imposed on the government in
Belgrade? What action do the President of
the Commission and the Commissioner responsible for
competition policy intend to take in their respective fields to oppose any initiative that breaks the embargo
on the Milosevi(cid:231) regime, while also protecting the market and competition from triangular economic and
commercial operations that infringe Community rules?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 2000)

Council Regulation (EC) No 1294/1999 of 15 June 1999 concerning a freeze of funds and a ban on
investment
in relation to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and repealing Regulations
(EC) No 1295/98 and (EC) No 1607/98 (1) concerns a prohibition to make funds available to the
governments of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and that of the Republic of Serbia.

The initiative of Consorzio Europeo Italia is said to be intended to promote the sale of Italian and other
Community products, in a tax free zone near Belgrade, primarily to customers from Russia, Ukraine and
Byelorussia, who would need visas for Italy but not for Yugoslavia.

The Commission and the Italian authorities are currently examining whether the above mentioned
initiative, which is apparently not yet implemented to date, would result in investments in the Republic
of Serbia or funds being made available to the governments mentioned above and will keep the matter
under review.

(1) OJ L 153, 19.6.1999.

(2000/C 303 E/206)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0353/00

by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission

(14 February 2000)

Subject: Romania: compatibility of draft legislation on the rules applicable to foreign nationals with

Community law

On 25 January 2000, the Romanian Chamber of Deputies(cid:146) committees on defence and legal affairs
approved a bill concerning the rules applicable to foreign nationals which provided that foreigners
convicted of organising a political party on Romanian territory, or joining a political party in Romania,