WRITTEN QUESTION E-1488/00 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission. Burma.
Date: 2000-05-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: ASEAN, Myanmar/Burma, accession to an agreement, common foreign and security policy, democratisation, international human rights law

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/153

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(4 July 2000)

As the Commission has stated already in reply to the oral question H-0297/00 by Mrs Riis-J(cid:246)rgensen
during question time at Parliament(cid:146)s April 2000 part-session (1) the bilateral measures taken by the
governments of 14 Member States with regard to the governement coalition in Austria, are not matters
relating to the EU Treaty or EC Treaty and do not affect the rights and obligations of Member States under
Community law.

A principle of loyalty and solidarity among the Member States that could be read out of Article 10
(ex-Article 5) of the EC Treaty is not violated here.

(1) Debates of the European Parliament (April 2000).

(2001/C 53 E/196)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1488/00

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(11 May 2000)

Subject: Burma

What impact does the Commission consider that Burma(cid:146)s membership of ASEAN has had on progress
towards the development of democracy and respect for human rights in Burma?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 2000)

The Commission believes that the human rights situation in Burma/Myanmar remains of great concern.

It would appear that Burma/Myanmar(cid:146)s membership of the Association of South-East Asian Nations
(ASEAN) has helped to focus the attention of other ASEAN member countries on the situation, and a
number of these countries have sought to encourage the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to
make progress on the issues of human rights and democratisation. This process has been reinforced by the
strong position taken by the Union, which has refused to accept the accession of Burma/Myanmar under
its present regime to the European Union-ASEAN cooperation agreement or its active participation in the
programmes executed under that agreement or even discussion of those programmes.

The Union attaches great importance to its relations with ASEAN and has therefore proposed to hold an
European Union-ASEAN ministerial meeting in Asia before the end of 2000. The Union has also made
clear its readiness to initiate a meaningful political dialogue with Burma/Myanmar and intends to send an
official-level Troika mission to Rangoon/Yangon with a view to the establishment of such a dialogue. In
these contacts, the Union will make further efforts to explain the concerns already spelled out in the Union
common position with regard to the lack of progress towards democratisation and the continuing
violations of human rights and to encourage Burma/Myanmar to take concrete and visible actions to
meet these concerns.

(2001/C 53 E/197)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1492/00

by Mauro Nobilia (UEN) to the Commission

(11 May 2000)

Subject: Breda-Omeca case

From 1965 to 1992 the Breda-Omeca factory in Reggio Calabria used asbestos and materials containing
asbestos in standard insulation for railway carriages. Italian laws 257 of 1992 and 271 of 1973 confirm
that the use of asbestos as a building material is illegal and entitle those who have worked with the