WRITTEN QUESTION E-2057/00 by Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Date: 2000-06-27
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Bosnia and Herzegovina, administrative cooperation, common foreign and security policy, economic region, local government, public authorities

C 89 E/140

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.3.2001

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(12 September 2000)

The Commission is fully aware of the problem raised by the Honourable Member. The same applies to the
entire aviation community. Moreover, it recently sent a proposal for a Parliament and Council Regula-
tion (1) which is intended to amend Council Regulation (EEC) No 3922/91 of 16 December 1991 on the
harmonisation of technical requirements and administrative procedures in the field of civil aviation (2)
which is intended to lay down common requirements concerning the commercial operation of aircraft
which, inter alia, contains provisions banning the use of portable electronic equipment that is likely to
affect the proper functioning of aircraft equipment and systems (cf. SPG 1.110 in the annex to this
proposal for a regulation).

(1) COM(2000) 121 final.
(2) OJ L 373, 31.12.1991.

(2001/C 89 E/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2057/00

by Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 June 2000)

Subject: Bosnia and Herzegovina

As no integrated Bosnian market exists between the (cid:145)Republika Srpska(cid:146) (the Bosnian Serb (cid:145)entity(cid:146)) and the
Muslim-Croat Federation, which has limited the prospects of sustainable economic development, does the
EU intend to encourage the establishment of an integrated economic area?

In view of the elections last April in which moderates in Bosnia and Herzegovina were successful, does the
EU intend to promote actions for the benefit of communes led by moderate mayors by establishing
partnership arrangements?

As the joint institutions envisaged in the Dayton negotiations are not functioning effectively, does the EU
intend to increase the technical assistance provided to those institutions with a view to facilitating
coordination between state authorities and the (cid:145)entities(cid:146) and between the centre and the periphery?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(14 July 2000)

The Commission is concerned that the absence of an integrated market will limit sustainable economic
development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the Community-Bosnia and Herzegovina Consultative Task
Force, the Commission has encouraged both entities and the central government to establish conditions in
which an integrated domestic market can develop. Thus, the (cid:145)road map(cid:146) of steps to be taken by Bosnia and
Herzegovina before beginning negotiations on a stabilisation and association agreement includes actions
designed to promote the development of an integrated economic space. Moreover, Community financial
assistance supports this objective. Assistance has been provided to develop a unified legislative framework
in the field of insurance, competition and arbitration. Community technical support will be provided for
the establishment of a state-level competition council and office for competition and consumer protection
as well as an arbitration centre. The European Community customs and fiscal administration office
(CAFAO) has made a significant contribution to the creation of a single economic space. The CAFAO
programme has assisted the state Ministry of
foreign trade and economic relations in drafting and
developing customs and tariff laws which, for the first time, established a single customs territory in
Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The programme of assistance for this year includes a component specifically supporting municipal
development. The objective of the programme is to work with a number of pilot municipalities and
associations of municipalities in order to strengthen their management capacity and to forge links between

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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municipalities in different parts of the country. Limited co-operation with other municipalities from the
region, on a test basis, may also form part of the programme. Since the programme will be aimed at
localities which are willing to co-operate with other European regions,
it will certainly favour those
Bosnian municipalities which have elected moderate and reformist administrations.

Since 1996 the Community has allocated approximately € 29 million to support the functioning and
consolidation of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a state.
In 2000 Bosnia(cid:146)s common institutions (cid:129) the
Presidency, the Parliamentary Assembly, the Council of Ministers and the six line ministries (cid:129) will
continue to receive technical assistance. This will build on the previous programme of assistance to the
state institutions. A specific objective of the new programme will be to increase co-ordination and co-
operation between the state and the entities and to develop an independent and professional civil service.
The latter, when established, will also contribute to improving relations between the centre and the
entities/periphery.

(2001/C 89 E/155)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2058/00

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(27 June 2000)

Subject: Programmes to protect witnesses and persons assisting the course of justice

In various Member States of the Union, in line with practice in the US, there are statutory protection
programmes for persons who have assisted the course of justice, be they members of criminal gangs who
have (cid:145)turned state(cid:146)s evidence(cid:146) ((cid:145)pentiti(cid:146)) or key witnesses who require protection. It often happens that
criminals who inform on their former associates provide the judicial authorities with vital information that
enables the latter to bring charges and secure the conviction of those responsible for crimes. In Italy it can
also happen that witnesses, after having assisted the course of justice, are not protected as they were
promised, or as the economic circumstances of their families would require. It is not unusual to find that
(cid:145)pentiti(cid:146) who have committed a string of murders receive large cash awards, in addition to the monthly
allowances regularly paid to their families, while the promises made to state witnesses are broken, or no
proceedings are taken in respect of the crimes they report.

The Commission:

1. Does it know what rules apply in the Member States to the handling of prosecution witnesses and

criminals who have turned state(cid:146)s evidence?

2. Does it consider that this specific sector could come under the heading of police and judicial
cooperation and, in particular, within the scope of the new article K of the Treaty of Amsterdam?

3.

If so, while bearing in mind the different situations which might arise in terms of crime in the various
Member States, is the Commission prepared to submit proposals aimed at harmonising protection
programmes for informants and prosecution witnesses with a view to bringing them all into line with
those providing the most guarantees and protection for such persons and their families, but without
granting total immunity to those who have committed heinous crimes, multiple murders or crimes
against minors?

4.

If not, why does the Commission not instruct the European Police Office to gather all the information
necessary with a view to bringing the various systems into line and avoiding excessive divergence
between them?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(26 July 2000)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member on the important role played by witnesses and
individuals who participate or have participated in criminal organisations to fight against these organisa-
tions by providing information on their composition and activities.