WRITTEN QUESTION E-1401/00 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Council. EU-Russia relations.
Date: 2000-05-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Russia, conflict prevention, foreign policy, protection of minorities, the EU's international role

C 81 E/36

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.3.2001

With regard to combating illegality and trafficking in human beings and illegal employment, these subjects
are at the forefront of the discussions not only at EU level within CIREFI, which incidentally meets once
per semester with representatives from the EU accession candidates countries, but also in a wider context.
Furthermore, it is worth pointing out EUROPOL(cid:146)s role in combating organised illegal immigration. The
Community and the Member States are currently participating actively in negotiations within the United
Nations on the establishment of an international convention against transnational organised crime. The
draft convention contains inter alia two protocols relating to measures to combat the smuggling of
migrants by land, air and sea on the one hand and to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons,
especially women and children on the other. The convention is expected to be completed and signed by
the end of 2000.

(2001/C 81 E/041)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1401/00

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

(5 May 2000)

Subject: EU-Russia relations

Only a few days ago, a presidential election took place in the Russian Federation, which resulted in the
election of Mr Vladimir Putin to the presidency after the first round. The following day, Mr Javier Solana,
the High Representative of the CFSP, and Mr Romano Prodi, the Commission President, congratulated
Mr Putin on his victory and (cid:145)reminded(cid:146) him of the situation in Chechnya, where thousands of people have
lost their lives in the last few months thanks to a war which, to say the least, Moscow has at no moment
tried to avoid: civilian communities and hospitals have been bombarded indiscriminately, and Russian
troops have constantly perpetrated violations of human rights.

In the light of Parliament(cid:146)s resolution of 16 March 2000 on the European Charter of Human Rights, and
of Article 177(2) of the EC Treaty, which specifies as general objectives of the Community (cid:145)developing and
consolidating democracy and the rule of law(cid:146) and (cid:145)respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms(cid:146):

What does the Council believe should be the proper ethical limits of the EU(cid:146)s external relations? What
measures does it propose to prevent conflicts of this nature where they are held (cid:129) in our view erroneously
(cid:129) to be (cid:145)internal(cid:146)? What initiatives does it propose to protect ethnic minorities living outside the EU?

Reply

(29 September 2000)

The Treaty on European Union states that one of the objectives of its common foreign and security policy
is (cid:145)to safeguard the common values (cid:133) of the Union(cid:146). These values or principles, (cid:145)which are common to the
Member States(cid:146), are listed as (cid:145)liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and
the rule of law(cid:146). Such are the foundations of any ethical dimension of the EU(cid:146)s external relations.

The European Union does not recognise any theoretical limit to the application of its essential tenets.
Whether in the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe or in its bilateral relations, including its agreements
with third countries, the EU gives the promotion of its values very high priority.

Conflict prevention is a complex and difficult business, to which the EU along with other international
actors makes a substantial contribution with varying degrees of success. The EU uses all
instruments
available to it. In the longer term, these include the promotion of its values, aid, trade, and political
influence to foster economic, social and political conditions that mitigate the causes of conflict. In the
shorter term the EU may use persuasion, influence and action in an impending or actual conflict situation,

13.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/37

in order to see issues resolved peacefully by dialogue and agreement. This applies equally to situations
internal or external to countries where a conflict threatens or takes place.

The EU(cid:146)s ability to control and even to influence events is obviously limited by factors which vary
according to the circumstances, including the EU(cid:146)s weight in the country or the issue in question as well as
its overall interests. In each case, the EU must decide through its institutions the most appropriate actions
in the circumstances to promote its objectives.

including ethnic
One of those objectives is to promote the protection of the rights of minorities,
minorities. Specific initiatives will vary according to the circumstances and according to the EU(cid:146)s ability
to influence the situation.

(2001/C 81 E/042)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1404/00

by Jeffrey Titford (EDD) to the Commission

(5 May 2000)

Subject: Action against corrupt officials

In the book (cid:145)Blowing the Whistle(cid:146), by Paul Van Buitenen, he refers to a number of officials of the European
Commission who were corrupt.

Please will the Commission indicate what action has been taken against those officials named as corrupt in
the official report?

Have any of them been retired on pensions, as Mr Van Buitenen claims in his book?

(2001/C 81 E/043)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1420/00

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Corruption within the European Commission

(5 May 2000)

Can the Commission indicate what disciplinary proceedings, if any, have been taken against individuals
working for the Commission as a result of the wrongdoings exposed by Mr Paul van Buitenen?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-1404/00
and E-1420/00 given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(3 July 2000)

The Commission investigates all allegations of acts committed by officials that could give rise to the
opening of disciplinary proceedings.

In the cases relevant to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s question, disciplinary proceedings were opened some
time ago and, where appropriate, files have been transmitted to the judicial authorities of Member States.