WRITTEN QUESTION E-2174/00 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Improving the living conditions of country women in the mountainous areas of Málaga province (Spain).
Date: 2000-07-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Andalusia, EU regional policy, Spain, competence of the Member States, position of women

C 103 E/80

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

What measures does the Council intend to take to put an end to the efforts by these circles to destabilise
FYROM?

Has the Council checked whether (cid:145)cooperation(cid:146) ties have been established between these groups and the
peculiar (cid:145)authority(cid:146) which has been established in Kosovo?

Reply

(9 November 2000)

The Feira European Council confirmed that its objective remained the fullest possible integration of the
countries of the Western Balkans into the political and economic mainstream of Europe, including the
prospect of accession once all of the conditions had been met. Furthermore, at France(cid:146)s initiative, a summit
meeting will be held in the autumn between the European Union and the Balkan States to assure these
countries of Europe(cid:146)s solidarity and to study together the means to accelerate the process of democratic
and economic reform.

The FYROM is fully involved in the Stabilisation and Association Process for the Western Balkans. This
Process aims to bring about stability in the region and includes Stabilisation and Association Agreements,
the liberalisation of trade, political dialogue, substantial economic and financial aid and cooperation in the
field of Justice and Home Affairs. The future Stabilisation and Association Agreement that the EU is
currently negotiating with the FYROM will in point of fact entail closer cooperation, including financial
aid, in the field of Justice and Home Affairs. The Council welcomes the progress made thus far in the
negotiations and hopes that they will be concluded as soon as possible.

The Feira European Council also underlined the importance it attaches to the inviolability of frontiers, and
in particular to the territorial integrity of FYROM; it also reaffirmed its support for the full implementation
of Security Council Resolution 1244.

In this context, the Council fully supports the efforts deployed by UNMIK in Kosovo, in particular in the
fields of border controls and emigration, drug and arms trafficking and the smuggling of contraband
goods. In this respect the Honourable Member is no doubt aware that the EU is the largest contributor to
UNMIK in terms of financial and staff resources, including police forces.

The Council has started to reflect on a coordinated approach to combating organised crime in the Western
Balkans, taking into account the relevant conclusions from the Ancona Conference, the Adriatic and Ionian
Cooperation Process and the work achieved at Table 3 of the Stability Pact.

(2001/C 103 E/086)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2174/00

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 July 2000)

Subject: Improving the living conditions of country women in the mountainous areas of MÆlaga province

(Spain)

The experience of many country women living in mountainous areas in MÆlaga province (Spain) is one of
total isolation which in certain cases stems from a lack of information.

Efforts are therefore being made by the local authorities to overcome such women(cid:146)s isolation and lack of
information by dispatching local multi-disciplinary teams whose job is to alleviate unemployment amongst
women (which is much higher than the corresponding figure for men) and, in short, to improve the living
conditions of women who, on account of extensive shortages and poverty, survive in an environment of
permanent hostility.

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/81

What scope is there under Community policy for making improvements to the difficult living conditions
of the women in question, who, by comparison with working women in other rural areas who enjoy more
comfortable living conditions, are the victims of isolation?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 September 2000)

The Commission has already received information on this region in the documents submitted in the
context of the rural development programmes and Community Support Framework, which stress the
isolation of women, the problems arising from rural unemployment and the need for training and better
living conditions.

The rural development programmes make it possible to help women working in agriculture, particularly
by aiding investment and the installation of women farmers, by diversifying rural activities towards
tourism and crafts in particular, by developing services, including childcare, transport and infrastructure,
and by improving living conditions, including the cultural aspects that contribute thereto.

In addition to the rural development programmes, which have to take account of equal opportunities as
laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural from the
European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain
Regulations (1), the Leader+ Community initiative must include specific measures for rural women. In
addition, the European Social Fund offers measures relating more specifically to training and employment,
as does the Employment initiative.

While the Commission encourages measures in this field, it is for the national and regional authorities to
include them in their programmes and to carry them out with due regard to the principle of equal
opportunities.

Moreover, the Spanish Women(cid:146)s Institute, which has branches in every region, has taken many initiatives
on training and employment for women. Some of the measures put forward for structural funding will
make it possible to part-finance these activities.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2001/C 103 E/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2187/00

by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: Attack on bonded labourers and human rights workers in India

Can the Commission seek information as to whether the 11 bonded labourers from the villages of Kili-
Nahal-Singh-Wala and Buraj Mehma in Punjab State, India, who filed cases for their release with the
District Magistrate on 13 November 1999, have now been freed and whether any prosecutions were
initiated against landlords for illegally employing bonded labourers or for using threats and intimidation in
order to persuade individuals to abandon their cases?

Can it seek information as to what action has been taken by the Indian authorities to bring to justice the
instigators of the attempted abduction of bonded labourers from the human rights organisation, Volunteers
for Social Justice on 7 February 2000 and to ensure the safety of human rights workers at Volunteers for
Social Justice.