WRITTEN QUESTION E-1854/00 by Baroness Sarah Ludford (ELDR) to the Commission. International Criminal Court (ICC).
Date: 2000-06-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: International Criminal Court, United States, common foreign and security policy

6.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 72 E/133

The projects the Commission supports are designed to benefit the entire population of Turkey. However, it
is only natural that projects which focus on the south-east of the country and on the poorest sections of
Turkish society are likely to have most impact on Kurdish communities (which tend to be poorer and are
principally to be found in these areas). A large part of the funds committed to date are destined for
projects of this kind.

The Commission would also like to point out that in 1997 it had hoped to fund a rural development
project in south-east Turkey, but Parliament issued a negative opinion on the proposal.

The priority accorded to the most disadvantaged groups (women, children and minorities) has been
reaffirmed in the financial aid programme for Turkey for the period 2000-2002, both in the context of the
MEDA II programme, and in the European Strategy regulations.

Project proposals are identified (cid:145)in the field(cid:146), and care is taken to consult with all concerned persons and
organisations, as well as with civil society. The preparation and administration of the projects are
monitored on a daily basis by the Commission and its representation in Ankara, so as to ensure that the
terms of reference are respected, with regard both to objectives and to target populations. An independent
audit is carried out whenever a project is completed.

(2001/C 72 E/167)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1854/00

by Baroness Sarah Ludford (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: International Criminal Court (ICC)

(9 June 2000)

In the context of the CFSP, what joint standpoint are the Member States adopting with regard to the US
proposals to amend the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC) in order, for
example,
individuals who
(cid:145)act within the overall direction(cid:146) of a State, to allow the court to enter into agreements with individual
states, and to permit the negotiation of a (cid:145)supplemental document(cid:146) which would have the effect of radically
amending the Rome Statute?

their own citizens from being tried by the court,

to prevent

to exempt

Do the Member States and the Commission, acting in concert under the CFSP, agree that it is vital to work
to convince the US that it is in interests to support and sign the existing Statute and resist any attempt to
undermine the integrity of the Statute, which already has 96 signatories and has been ratified by eight
countries?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(6 July 2000)

The Commission agrees that it would be very valuable if the United States were able to participate fully in
the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Community has carefully analysed the United States(cid:146) proposal
on the rules of procedure for the court and has come to the conclusion that the text in its present form
would lead to an unacceptable modification of the key provisions of the Statute related to the jurisdiction
of the Court.

The Community has raised this issue repeatedly in the framework of the Common foreign and security
policy dialogue between the Community and the United States. On 31 May 2000 at the Community/
United States summit, the member of the Commission responsible for foreign relations discussed the issue
with Secretary of State Mrs Albright. He indicated that the Community was ready to look at other
American proposals on the ICC but any such proposal could only be considered in the light of full respect
of the integrity of the Court(cid:146)s Statute. The Presidency has also recently informed American officials about
this position.