WRITTEN QUESTION P-2097/00 by François Zimeray (PSE) to the Commission. Relations between the EU and Iran.
Date: 2000-06-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Iran, Jew, common foreign and security policy, right to justice

20.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 89 E/147

The strategy for R&D cooperation with development countries is being discussed within this wider
framework.

In preparing for this S&T cooperation,
take into consideration the necessary
the Commission will
complementary and synergistic use of the instruments available in the RTD and external relations policies,
specifically those pertaining to the political relations, trade and development cooperation policies.

(1) COM(2000) 6 final.

(2001/C 89 E/161)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2096/00

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(30 June 2000)

Subject: Representation of sub-state political entities in the European Council

With a view to the reform of the Treaties, which is due to take place at the Intergovernmental Conference,
does the Council intend to take a legislative initiative to ensure the presence of ministers of sub-state
entities with political and legislative powers within the delegations of Member States, given that certain
Member States, such as Spain (unlike Germany, Belgium, Austria and the United Kingdom), still refuse to
apply the provisions of Article 203 of the consolidated version of the Treaty establishing the European
Community?

Reply

(23 October 2000)

The Honourable Member should be aware that the Council has no role whatsoever 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. For a more
comprehensive overview of the state of play in 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.

The Treaty establishes in its Article 203 that the Council shall consist of a representative of each Member
State at ministerial level, authorised to commit the government of that Member State. Determining the
appropriate representation at the various Council formations is a matter for the government of the
Member State concerned.

(2001/C 89 E/162)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2097/00

by Fran(cid:231)ois Zimeray (PSE) to the Commission

(16 June 2000)

Subject: Relations between the EU and Iran

On 16 September 1999 the European Parliament unanimously adopted a motion for a resolution on the
situation of prisoners accused of spying in Iran (R5-0029/99). The fifth paragraph of this resolution
stresses that the European Parliament (cid:145)insists that any dialogue between the European Union and the
Islamic Republic of Iran must be made dependent on respect for fundamental human rights(cid:146).

Nine months after the adoption of this resolution, 13 Members of the Jewish community of Iran are still in
prison; their right of defence has been violated, and they are the victims of a show trial.

C 89 E/148

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.3.2001

Would the Commission provide a detailed account of any discussions, acts of political and/or economic
cooperation and, more generally, any relations that have existed (cid:129) or exist at present -between the EU and
Iran since September 1999?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 2000)

The Commission fully shares the concern over the lack of respect for human rights in Iran expressed in the
draft resolution B5-0079/1999 by the Parliament. In the comprehensive dialogue between the Union and
Iran, questions regarding human rights are consistently raised by the Union.

On the specific situation of the 13 Iranian Jews and 8 Muslims detained on charges of espionage, a
number of demarches have been made by the Union as well as by individual Member States in the course
of last year. The Union has stressed the importance of a free and fair trial and was disappointed to see that
the trial was not open to observers. Following the verdict on 1 July 2000, the Union stated its concern and
its wish that the Court of Appeal would alleviate the punishments.

The comprehensive dialogue between the Union Troika and Iran, which started in 1998, continues with
meetings at the level of deputy minister or state secretary every six months. A meeting was held in
Helsinki in December 1999 and the latest was held in Tehran in June 2000. All issues of importance,
including human rights and also this trial, are regularly raised.

The Commission has for some years funded assistance to Iran in the area of refugee assistance through the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and through international non-governmental
organisations. A care and maintenance project implemented by MØdecins sans frontiŁres (MSF)-France was
launched early this year. Together with a humanitarian project (hospital) launched following an earthquake
some years ago, these are the only cooperation activities with Iran currently being implemented.

While the political situation in Iran remains a matter of concern, the positive developments with the recent
parliamentary election and Iran(cid:146)s growing sensitivity to international pressure, open new possibilities to
develop a constructive dialogue on human rights issues with the Iranian government. The Commission will
continue to follow the situation closely in order to seize any opportunity to support this positive change.

(2001/C 89 E/163)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2098/00

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

(16 June 2000)

Subject: Amnesic Shellfish Poison

At a meeting on 15 December 1999, the European Commission Standing Veterinary Committee decided
to create a working group to examine testing methods for the detection of Amnesic Shellfish Poison (ASP)
in scallops.

Has the working group concluded its examination of the issue, and if so, will
its findings place the
Standing Veterinary Committee in a position to make swift recommendations for a modification of
Directive 97/61 (1) on ASP testing in order to clarify the provisions of this Directive,
in particular by
laying down a precise definition of standard practice across all Member States for the testing of scallops?

Does the Commission accept that practice in this area currently differs from Member State to Member
State, and that this constitutes a serious threat to the single market in scallops?

(1) OJ L 295, 29.10.1997, p. 35.