WRITTEN QUESTION E-1917/00 by Michiel van Hulten (PSE) to the Commission. European aid for Enschede.
Date: 2000-06-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Overijssel, aid to disaster victims, explosive, man-made disaster

20.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 89 E/113

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2000)

Since fighting between Ethiopia and Eritrea first broke out in May 1998, the Union has repeatedly urged
both countries to cease hostilities on all fronts immediately, to refrain from any further use of violence and
to co-operate with the Organization of African Unity (OAU) efforts to mediate a peaceful negotiated
solution to the conflict.

The Union therefore welcomed on 14 June 2000 the acceptance by both parties of the proposal for an
agreement on the cessation of hostilities, prepared by the OAU and assisted by an envoy from the United
States and by the Union Presidency Special representative, Mr. Serri. The European Council of 19 and
20 June 2000 applauded the signing of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities of 18 June 2000 in
Algiers.

The Algiers agreement foresees a peaceful resolution of the conflict, a respect for the borders existing at
independence, to be determined on the basis of pertinent colonial treaties and reaffirms both countries(cid:146)
acceptance of the OAU framework agreement and its implementation. The countries furthermore commit
themselves to an immediate cessation of hostilities starting from the signature of the document, followed
by the deployment of a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission under the auspices of the OAU.

Since the start of the conflict in May 1998, the Commission, through ECHO, has made funding available
for humanitarian aid programmes in both countries in favour of conflict affected populations for a total
amount of some € 15,7 million. Areas of activities are water and sanitation, supplementary feeding, shelter,
food, and non-food items. Activities are focussed on displaced people as well as victims of deportation.
This includes an amount of € 2 million made available by the Commission for rapid action in favour of
Eritrean populations forced to flee from the invading Ethiopian troops. Further funds, the amount of which
will depend on the needs identified, will be made available after identification of precise needs and
implementing partners.

The Commission can report that in both countries evacuation plans for Union citizens have been discussed
and prepared. There is no issue of confidentiality as this is common practice and as the contents of the
plans are not divulged. These evacuation plans are regularly updated in view of the changing situation.
The Presidency, the Commission as well as Member States are well aware of the necessity for close co-
ordination in matters of security for Union citizens.

(2001/C 89 E/122)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1917/00

by Michiel van Hulten (PSE) to the Commission

(16 June 2000)

Subject: European aid for Enschede

On 13 May the SE Fireworks factory in Enschede exploded, destroying or damaging a considerable
proportion of the Enschede-North district. On 17 May Commission President Prodi went on a reconnais-
sance flight over Enschede and on his return said he would consider ways in which the Commission could
contribute to repairing the enormous damage.

Can the Commission state what initiatives it has now taken and what other action it has taken to

1.
honour that undertaking?

2.
Is the Commission prepared to treat any review of the Netherlands(cid:146) proposals on the European
structural funds as a priority matter so that the repair work can be carried out without any unnecessary
delay?

C 89 E/114

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.3.2001

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(2 August 2000)

1.
Further to the visit of the President of the Commission to the damaged area, the Commission has
together with the Dutch ministry of Interior Affairs and representatives from the municipality of Enschede,
explored the possibilities of support to some of the actions for reconstruction. Different technical meetings
have taken place with this regard.

This support for the damaged area should in the first place take place in the framework of the new urban
plan that the Dutch authorities have recently (April 2000) submitted to the Commission for objective 2 of
the structural funds. Support from other programmes such as the Community initiatives URBAN, Interreg
and EQUAL, might take place on a ad-hoc basis. However, in financial terms this support would be more
limited due to budgetary constraints and the specific restrictions for the eligibility of expenses.

The Commission is willing to accept modifications of the present Dutch objective 2 plan in favour of

2.
the Enschede area and is also giving the highest priority to this particular programme.

(2001/C 89 E/123)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1920/00

by Rolf Linkohr (PSE) to the Commission

(16 June 2000)

Subject: Questions on the EC-Mexico Agreement

1. What appropriations are earmarked for this in the Budget?

The EC-Mexico Agreement lists 29 areas of cooperation. How does the Commission intend to put

2.
this into practice?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(26 July 2000)

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for his inquiry.
the EC-Mexico
agreement foresees a total of 29 areas of mutual co-operation. The agreement is as comprehensive as
possible due to the fact that it was concluded for an unlimited time frame. In the strategy paper for
Mexico, a stricter setting of priorities has been planned for the coming years. Co-operation with Mexico
will focus on the strengthening of good governance, on economic co-operation, on the struggle against
poverty as well as on the areas of science, technology, culture and education. The extent of funds available
for such co-operation depends on the decisions made by the budgetary authorities in following years.

is correct

that

It

At present the Community budget contains no specific allocation of funds linked to the agreement. Within
the relevant budget lines, amounts for individual countries are allocated according to criteria such as the
size and relative level of development of each country.

(2001/C 89 E/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1931/00

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 June 2000)

Subject: Budget Item A-3040

Could the Commission indicate the aims and objectives of the European Union Migrants(cid:146) Forum and how
it implements the grant of € 800 000 that it receives from Item A-3040?