WRITTEN QUESTION E-3623/00 by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission. Japanese scientific whaling.
Date: 2000-11-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU control, Japan, application of EU law, authorised catch, observer, protected species, protection of animal life, whale

21.8.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 235 E/9

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-3621/00, E-3767/00 and E-3768/00

(14 May 2001)

The Union expresses unreserved support for the UN Secretary-General(cid:146)s efforts to find a solution, since the
United Nations constitutes the reference framework for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the
issue. The Council(cid:146)s position on the UN Secretary-General(cid:146)s efforts to find a solution to the conflict has
been reaffirmed recently by the European Council and the Council.

On 7-9 December 2000, the Nice European Council welcomed and expressed its strong support for the
efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General to achieve an overall agreement on the Cyprus problem
consistent with the UN Security Council Resolutions and to arrive at a positive conclusion of the process
initiated in December 1999. The European Council appealed to all parties concerned to contribute to the
efforts made to this effect.

On 4 December 2000, the Council reached political agreement on including the following reference to the
Cyprus issue in the short-term (2001) priorities of the Accession Partnership for Turkey under the title
(cid:145)Enhanced Political Dialogue and Political Criteria(cid:146):
in accordance with the Helsinki European Council
conclusions, in the context of the political dialogue, strongly support the UN Secretary-General(cid:146)s efforts to
bring to a successful conclusion the process of finding a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem
as referred to in point 9 (a) of the Helsinki European Council conclusions.

The proximity talks scheduled to begin at the end of January 2001 did not get off the ground given the
Turkish-Cypriot side(cid:146)s failure to participate. The Council still hopes that this round of discussions can take
place as envisaged and be completed successfully.

The question of a violation of Cypriot airspace has not been raised in the Council. The Council recalls that,
in resolution 367 of 12 March 1975, the UN Security Council, called for respect for the territorial integrity
of the Republic of Cyprus.

(2001/C 235 E/012)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3623/00

by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Japanese scientific whaling

The Japanese government has allocated to its scientific whaling programme for this year a quota of
540 minke whales, plus 50 Bryde(cid:146)s whales and 10 sperm whales under a legal
loophole in the
International Whaling Convention. The Japanese government has also ignored repeated resolutions passed
by the International Whaling Commission requesting it to end its programme of scientific whaling, to
respect the Southern Ocean Sanctuary for Whales established by the IWC in 1994 and additionally
declaring the data obtained from this whaling programme unnecessary.

On 21 August this year 15 countries, including nine Member States (1), participated in a demarche in
Tokyo, protesting to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the continuation of scientific whaling by
the Japanese whaling fleet. Representations were made to Japan at the G8 summit by the Prime Minister of
the United Kingdom and the Foreign Minister of Germany. Australia and New Zealand have both made
diplomatic protests to Japan and the United States has boycotted a UN conference on the environment in
Japan and has cancelled bilateral fisheries consultations. In September the United States gave notification
that it is considering applying sanctions to Japan under the Pelly Amendment. In light of the above, could
the Commission outline:

What is it doing to reflect this European and international condemnation of Japanese whaling through its
formal contacts with Japan, and whether it is urging the Japanese government to respect this widely held
concern by ending its programme of scientific whaling?

C 235 E/10

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.8.2001

How it intends to use its position in international fora to put pressure on the Japanese government
regarding scientific whaling, and whether it will in future be supportive of US protests against Japan?

(1) Member States participating in the demarche in Tokyo: Italy, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Ireland, the

Netherlands, Austria, Finland, Sweden.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 2001)

the
As already pointed out
Community does not at this time have an overall policy with regard to whaling. This reflects a well-
known divergence of opinion amongst the Member States on this issue.

in the answer to Written Question E-1807/00 from Mrs Flemming (1),

It should be recalled that in July 1992 the Commission sent a Communication to the Council with a view
to the Community acceeding to the International whaling commission (IWC). The Council has so far not
adopted any decision authorising the Commission to negotiate such membership. For the time being, the
Community(cid:146)s only status at the IWC remains as an observer, whereas eleven Member States are contracting
parties of the organisation.

The Honourable Member will understand that, under these circumstances and with regard to the
Community(cid:146)s status within the IWC in particular, the Commission may not express a view in respect of
the said Japanese whaling activities. However,
the
Commission will continue to monitor compliance with Community legislation that indirectly affects
whaling, i.e. Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of
wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (2), implementing the Convention on international trade in
endangered species (CITES) and preventing Community fishermen from hunting whales on the High Seas
and from unloading catches of whales in the Community, as well as Council Directive 92/43/EEC of
21 May 1992, on the conservation of natural habitats of wild fauna and flora (3) and obliging all Member
States to establish a system of strict protection for all cetacean species, including whales.

the Honourable Member should be assured that

(1) OJ C 103 E, 3.4.2001, p. 28.
(2) OJ L 61, 3.3.1997.
(3) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2001/C 235 E/013)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3630/00

by Stefano Zappal(cid:224) (PPE-DE) and Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Council

Subject: Situation of managerial staff in the European Union

(22 November 2000)

After the European Parliament(cid:146)s Committee on Social Affairs, Employment and the Working Environment
had adopted report A3-0196/93, Parliament approved the resolution on the situation of managerial staff in
the European Union contained therein on 25 June 1993 (1). What action has the Council taken in response
to Parliament(cid:146)s demands?

(1) OJ C 194, 19.7.1993, p. 374.

Reply

(7 May 2001)

To date, the Council has not received any proposal from the Commission concerning the situation of
managerial staff in the European Union.