WRITTEN QUESTION E-2167/00 by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Council. Rowdy behaviour by KFOR troops in Skopje.
Date: 2000-06-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU competence, NATO, North Macedonia, armed forces, common foreign and security policy, public order

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/77

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 September 2000)

Since Community olive oil production may vary by 15-20 % from one year to another, preferential
imports which amount to approximately 2,5 % of average production do not appear excessive (cid:129) as the
Honourable Member seems to be saying.

The preferences granted to third countries for importing the products referred to in the question concern
reductions in, or exemptions from, customs duty ad valorem. For each particularly sensitive product in the
fruit and vegetable sector a system has been maintained whereby a specific duty is charged depending on
the level of imports, in order to prevent products from being imported at low prices likely to unbalance
the internal market. Most of the concessions fall within tariff quotas corresponding to traditional imports
from third countries and are subject to very strict import timetable conditions. In the context of relations
with Mediterranean third countries, the Mediterranean concessions impact study (1) (which the Commission
presented to the Council in 1997) established that these measures (cid:129) which are intended to liberalise
imports (cid:129) do not result in disruption of the Community market. The Commission is sending a copy of the
unpublished corrigendum to the study direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat. It
should be borne in mind that the preferences granted to third countries form part of agreements likewise
containing concessions which those same third countries have granted in favour of Community agricul-
tural exports.

More specifically, the Commission has updated the detailed information which the Honourable Member
requested. There are no preferential imports of tobacco into the Community. Preferential imports of wine
amounted to 1 663 million hectolitre (hl) in 1997, 1 727 million hl in 1998 and 1 633 million hl in 1999.
There are no preferential terms for imports of cotton from third countries, since customs duty is zero
whatever the source. For fruit and citrus fruit the information requested cannot be provided within a
reasonable timescale because obtaining it would entail an official undertaking several weeks(cid:146) full-time
research. However, the Honourable Member will find useful information in the 1997 impact study referred
to above.

(1) COM(97) 477 final.

(2001/C 103 E/082)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2167/00

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Council

(30 June 2000)

Subject: Rowdy behaviour by KFOR troops in Skopje

According to FYROM press reports, KFOR troops on leave in Skopje have been causing trouble on the
streets and bars of the city, assaulting passers-by, particularly young women. Most of these incidents are
caused by the excessive consumption of alcohol by the troops on leave. The population of Skopje almost
always suffers as a result of this behaviour, but the KFOR military police takes a very relaxed attitude. This
conduct by KFOR troops is an insult to the hospitality shown by FYROM to the KFOR troops, but above
all damages the image of the peacekeeping effort undertaken at enormous cost by NATO and the EU in
particular, which is involved through broader agreements in FYROM and in the normalisation of the
situation in Kosovo.

How does the Council
intend to protect the reputation of the EU in the FYROM in the face of the
unacceptable conduct of KFOR troops so as not to cast a shadow over the contribution it is making to
peace in the region?

C 103 E/78

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

Reply

(7 November 2000)

The behaviour of KFOR troops is a matter for KFOR commanders, NATO and the national authorities of
the sending states. For its part, the EU is naturally concerned that the behaviour of all representatives of
the international community working together to restore stability, security and multiethnic democracy in
accordance with UNSCR 1244 should be exemplary whether in Kosovo or outside. It is confident that its
own representatives generally conform to this high standard and that this is well understood by the
population in Kosovo as in neighbouring countries they may visit on duty or leave.

(2001/C 103 E/083)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2168/00

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Rowdy behaviour by KFOR troops in Skopje

(30 June 2000)

According to FYROM press reports, KFOR troops on leave in Skopje have been causing trouble on the
streets and bars of the city and assaulting passers-by, particularly young women. Most of these incidents
are caused by the excessive consumption of alcohol by the troops on leave. The population of Skopje
almost always suffers as a result of this behaviour, but the KFOR military police takes a very relaxed
attitude. This conduct by KFOR troops is an insult to the hospitality shown by FYROM to the KFOR
troops, but above all damages the image of the peacekeeping effort undertaken at enormous cost by
NATO and the EU in particular, which is involved through broader agreements in FYROM and in the
normalisation of the situation in Kosovo.

How does the Commission intend to protect the reputation of the EU in FYROM in the face of the
unacceptable conduct of KFOR troops so as not to cast a shadow over the contribution it is making to
peace in the region?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2000)

As the Honourable Member is aware, the Commission is both involved in and works closely with the
international civil administration (UNMiK) in Kosovo.

Furthermore, the Commission has no involvement whatever in the international military presence (KFOR)
and therefore has no comment to make on the issues raised in his question. These issues should more
appropriately be raised with the States (cid:129) European or other (cid:129) which have contributed contingents to this
military force.

(2001/C 103 E/084)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2169/00

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Commission

(30 June 2000)

Subject: Stability of FYROM

According to press reports, there have recently been attempts to infiltrate groups of persons into FYROM
with the aim of destabilising the country. These groups, come from Kosovo, consist of UCK units, come