WRITTEN QUESTION E-2763/00 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Funding for tuberculosis treatment in states signatory to the Convention of Lomé.
Date: 2000-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, developing countries, health aid, infectious disease

C 151 E/16

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

(2001/C 151 E/018)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2687/00

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Parliamentary Question E-0561/00

Would the Commission given an indication as to when it may be able to provide the information it
promised to communicate in answer to Parliamentary Question E-0561/00 (1) of 7 April 2000?

(1) OJ C 280 E, 3.10.2000, p. 218.

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(29 November 2000)

The Commission provided the information on 28 November 2000.

It regrets the delay in giving this answer.

(2001/C 151 E/019)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2763/00

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Funding for tuberculosis treatment in states signatory to the Convention of LomØ

How does the Commission intend to tackle the growing problem of tuberculosis in developing countries?

Given that the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease estimates that € 100-150
million is needed to make a major impact on tuberculosis in the developing countries, will
the
Commission make funds available through the European Development Fund to combat this specific
problem?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(20 October 2000)

The Commission recognises the growing problem and threat posed by tuberculosis in developing countries
and will increase investment in an effective response through available instruments.

There is increasing international attention to the major communicable diseases associated with poverty,
namely tuberculosis, malaria and acquired immune deficiency syndrome/human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV/AIDS), and unprecedented political support to address the problem. The subject has been discussed in
meetings in 2000 between the Community and the United States and in the group of eight most
industrialized countries (G8).

As a first response to the recommendations of the G8, the Commission adopted on 20 September 2000 a
communication on accelerated action targeted at the major communicable diseases within the context of
poverty reduction (1). On 28 September 2000 the Commission co-hosted with the World Health
Organization (WHO) and the United Nations programme on AIDS, a high level round table to consult
representatives of developing countries, international organisations, research groups, the pharmaceutical
industry, civil society groups and Member States. The discussions will be of great assistance in the
definition of a subsequent programme of action over coming months.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/17

The Commission recognises that the scale of the problem warrants an extraordinary response from the
international development community, backed by appropriate resources and effective delivery mechanisms.
The Commission wishes to provide support as part of a co-ordinated international response and is
exploring with partners possible future financing and support options.

The Commission provides extensive and increasing support to the health sector. Assistance to health, AIDS
and population programmes has risen from 1 % of Community aid in 1986 to 8 % in 1998. Overall
commitments in 1998 amounted to over € 700 million. Much of this support is directed to improve the
organisation, management and performance of national health systems including improvements to
tuberculosis control programmes. Increasingly such support is provided as sector or budget support rather
than targeted support to disease specific programmes.

is not possible to quantify future specific allocations to tuberculosis control

It
from the European
development fund and there is no specific budget line for tuberculosis. The most effective approach to
combat the problem will be through sustained support to health systems development complemented by
targeted action through a co-ordinated global approach as proposed above.

(1) COM(2000) 585 final.

(2001/C 151 E/020)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2808/00

by Jeffrey Titford (EDD) to the Commission

(5 September 2000)

Subject: Promoting a (cid:145)European Dimension(cid:146) in schools

Would Romano Prodi or the relevant Commissioner please answer the following questions:

1. How much money has been allocated to promote a (cid:145)European Dimension(cid:146) in British schools?

2. How will the European Union promote a (cid:145)European Dimension(cid:146)? Will it be by means of leaflets,

worksheets, books and conferences?

3.

In line with its oft-stated desire to promote (cid:145)Cultural Diversity(cid:146) and preserve the (cid:145)identity of the nation-
states(cid:146), how much money will be spent on promoting a British identity, as opposed to a (cid:145)European
identity(cid:146)?

4. Will parents be able to exclude their children from any education which (cid:145)promotes a European

Dimension(cid:146)?

5. How does the European Commission propose to advance its programme to (cid:145)develop a European
Dimension(cid:146) whilst at the same time fulfilling British legal requirements that education on controversial
issues must always be (cid:145)balanced(cid:146) (Education Act)?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 2000)

The Commission would like to draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that any
promotion of the European dimension in schools is within the competence, and the full responsibility, of
the Member States in accordance with Article 149 (ex-Article 126) of the Treaty, which states that:
(cid:145)The Community shall contribute to the development of quality education by encouraging cooperation
between Member States and,
if necessary, by supporting and supplementing their action, while fully
respecting the responsibility of the Member States for the content of teaching and the organisation of
education systems and their cultural and linguistic diversity(cid:146). This Article also sets out that Community
action is aimed, among other things, at (cid:145)developing the European dimension in education, particularly
through the teaching and dissemination of the languages of the Member States(cid:146).