WRITTEN QUESTION E-1792/00 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Council. Proposals by the German Minister Joschka Fischer concerning the future of the EU.
Date: 2000-06-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Union, Portugal, Presidency of the Council of the EU, agenda, intergovernmental conference (EU)

13.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/93

(2001/C 81 E/111)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1785/00

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 June 2000)

Subject: Designation of origin for medlar fruit grown in Axarqu(cid:236)a (Malaga region, Spain)

The recent holding of the sixteenth Medlar Day in Sayalonga (Axarqu(cid:236)a district, Malaga province, Spain)
has once again drawn attention to the fact that the local authorities in Sayalonga have opened negotiations
with the Andalucia Regional Government(cid:146)s Agricultural Quality Department with a view to securing a
designation of origin for medlars grown in Axarqu(cid:236)a.

In this connection it should be pointed out that, with production totalling 600 000 kilos, Sayalonga is the
biggest producer of medlar in Malaga province. This also makes it, together with the town of Estepona
(also in the Malaga area), Andalusia(cid:146)s main medlar producer.

What is the Commission(cid:146)s view regarding the application for a designation of origin to be applied to the
Sayalonga medlar, and what aid and protection can it provide for this unusual fruit, which is unique and
of particular importance amongst the exotic fruits grown within the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2000)

The system for protecting geographical names of individual agricultural products having a clear link with a
precisely defined area is an arrangement open to Community producers who are prepared to define their
product and become involved in such a system on a voluntary basis. It entails an obligation to undergo
monitoring and comply with the product specification.

Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 on the protection of geographical indications and
designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs, under which this system was set up, was
adopted in order to support individual agricultural products that meet certain criteria through protection
of the name. The authorities of the Member State concerned must in any case first examine the application
for registration, which will, if justified, then be forwarded to the Commission.

The approach could be in line with the policy followed by the Community in this connection. It is
impossible, however, to give an opinion on the possibility of registering the name N(cid:237)spero de Axarqu(cid:237)a
without having access to the requisite details.

(2001/C 81 E/112)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1792/00

by JosØ Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Council

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Proposals by the German Minister Joschka Fischer concerning the future of the EU

The Portuguese media have reported that the Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama wrote to his
German opposite number Joschka Fischer congratulating him heartily for the views he had expressed
publicly in Berlin on 12 May this year concerning the future of the European Union.

The Portuguese Minister(cid:146)s position was reported as representing the views of the current Portuguese
presidency.

Naturally enough, the Portuguese media only published what they were told directly.

C 81 E/94

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.3.2001

Various elements of Mr Fischer(cid:146)s proposals contrast sharply with views expressed previously by the
Portuguese presidency concerning the drafting of the agenda for the forthcoming IGC and the debates on
this subject held in the Council and among the Member States. In particular they conflict with the views
expressed by the Portuguese Foreign Minister himself on behalf of the Portuguese presidency when he
spoke to the European Parliament in Strasbourg at the April part-session.

Can the Council therefore say whether the apparent and publicly expressed enthusiasm for Mr Fischer(cid:146)s
proposals indicates a change of position (cid:129) if so, it would be an absolutely radical one (cid:129) on the part of the
Portuguese presidency and/or the Council as such, regarding the agenda, content and general drift of the
preparations for the forthcoming IGC?

Reply

(28 September 2000)

As the Honourable Member will appreciate, the Council can only take a position on specific matters where
it has expressed a view or taken a decision. It would be inappropriate for the Council as an institution to
comment on views expressed by any individual member.

The Honourable Member is will be aware, that the Council has no role in the work of the Conference of
the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, and is therefore unable to comment on
work being undertaken by the Conference. The European Parliament, on the other hand, has two observers
who are closely involved in the work of the Conference at the preparatory level.

Regarding the Presidency(cid:146)s evaluation of the work of the IGC, the honourable member should refer to the
report produced under the Presidency(cid:146)s responsibility for the Feira European Council which was made
public on 14 June.

(2001/C 81 E/113)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1793/00

by JosØ Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(8 June 2000)

Subject: Press freedom in Russia

On Thursday 11 May a private media group (cid:129) Media Moss (cid:129) was the target of a large-scale police
operation in Moscow involving an independent television channel and a number of newspapers and
magazines. A few days later, on 16 May, the Russian Ministry of Information issued (cid:145)warnings(cid:146) to foreign
media, even threatening to suspend the activities of those (cid:145)disseminating information hostile to Russian
interests(cid:146) (sic). This would appear to be a global campaign against the freedom of journalists.

Freedom of information and the press is a universal principle. Guaranteeing such freedoms is also a
fundamental element in the development of a relationship of mutual trust and peace among all countries
and peoples, based on fundamental principles of freedom, pluralism, democracy and the rule of law,
generally recognised in international conventions and declarations on human rights. Furthermore, the latest
threat issued by the Russian Government potentially and directly affects a number of journalists and media
from the European Union.

Democracy in Russia is of great importance and value for stability and security in Europe, as well as
corresponding to the interests and desires of the Russian people.