WRITTEN QUESTION E-3629/00 by Heidi Hautala (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Notification of bird species on the Natura 2000 information form.
Date: 2000-11-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Finland, Southern Finland, application of EU law, protection of animal life

C 174 E/94

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

19.6.2001

Finally, on 29 May 2000 the Council adopted a Decision to combat child pornography on the Internet on
the basis of an initiative of the Republic of Austria. (1)

Article 6 of that Decision on which the European Parliament has been consulted provides for the Council
to examine the extent to which Member States have fulfilled their obligations pursuant to Joint Action 97/
154/JHA, and the extent to which the measures proposed in the Decision have proved effective.

The Honourable Member will note that the Council made the following statement when that Decision was
adopted:

The Council welcomes the opinion of the European Parliament, published as (cid:147)Legislative Resolution
on the initiative of the Republic of Austria with a view to adopting a Council Decision to combat
child pornography on the Internet(cid:148) (2). In addition to the amendments which have been incorporated
by the Council in the Decision, the opinion raises a number of important issues relating to substantive
criminal law and criminal procedure. The Council, mindful of the urgency to take immediate measures
against child pornography on the Internet, declares its willingness to examine such questions in the
light of the Joint Action 97/154/JHA of 24 February 1997 and on the basis of proposals which are
expected in the future.

(1) Council Decision of 29 May 2000 to combat child pornography on the Internet (OJ L 138, 9.6.2000, page 1).
(2) European Parliament document 10317/1999 (cid:129) C5-0318/1999 (cid:129) 1999/0822(CNS).

(2001/C 174 E/098)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3629/00

by Heidi Hautala (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Notification of bird species on the (cid:145)Natura 2000(cid:146) information form

According to expert opinions, 14 species of birds which should have been included on the Natura 2000
information form for the Mustavuori-(cid:214)stersundom area in Finland have been omitted from the form. Their
exclusion is justified by stating (cid:129) contrary to the expert opinions (cid:129) that these species occur only rarely. If
an interpretation of the regulations which contradicts environmental expert evidence is deemed to be
admissible, this is likely to lead to a conclusion which conflicts with the objectives of the birds and habitats
directives.

How does the Commission monitor the Member States to ensure that they do not, by their interpretations,
neglect to include on the Natura 2000 information form bird species occurring in SPAs (Special Protection
Areas), as prescribed in the habitats and birds directives? This matter is linked to the official decisions
pending in Finland on the project for a major harbour at Vuosaari, particularly with regard to the
definition of the borders of the Mustavuori-(cid:214)stersundom Natura 2000 area and the effects of this harbour
on this Natura 2000 area.

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(2 February 2001)

Referring to Article 4(3) of Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild
birds (1), Member States have to send the Commission all relevant information to ensure that the most
suitable territories in number and size have been classified as special protection areas.

If mistakes are observed in the standard data forms, for example in connection with complaints, the
Commission will ask Member States to correct the information.

In the case referred to in the question, the Commission has made the same observation, which is based on
experts(cid:146) statements.

19.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174 E/95

The Commission has requested a correction in the database.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(2001/C 174 E/099)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3632/00

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Council

(22 November 2000)

Subject: Western Sahara

The Settlement Plan adopted in June 1990 by the UN Security Council with a view to holding a
referendum for the self-determination of the people of the Western Sahara, the proclamation of a cease-
fire by the parties involved, impartial and objective measures to identify those entitled to vote and the
organisation of structures to enable the Sahrawi people to be consulted in future have not yet been
implemented.

There appears to be little prospect of an early referendum in view of the points of disagreement that
emerged at the exploratory meeting held in London on 14 May 2000, at which the interested parties
outlined their respective positions. Would the Council state, therefore, whether any progress has been
made towards resolving the situation? Does the Council consider that the EU should encourage the efforts
of the international community by launching a Europe (cid:129) Maghreb dialogue with a view to hastening the
achievement of a political and lawful solution to the conflict?

With reference to the fate of the prisoners who were snatched from their families over 25 years ago and
have been used as means of exerting pressure or as bargaining counters, could the Council explain what
role the EU should play in order to bring to an end this ongoing and premeditated abuse of human rights?

Could the Council shed light on the misuse of funds provided up to now by the EU to assist the
communities involved?

Reply

(8 March 2001)

The Council fully supports and encourages the UN(cid:146)s efforts to resolve the conflict in the Western
1.
Sahara, while not claiming to take the UN(cid:146)s place in doing so. It is convinced that the process initiated in
this context, particularly the direct talks between the Parties,
is the best or even, the only, means of
succeeding, and that the current deadlock can only be resolved by means of a frank and open dialogue on
all the aspects of the conflict between the Parties involved.

2.
The Council(cid:146)s ambition is to create a climate of trust between the Parties, which is necessary for a
lasting settlement in the context of stabilisation of the region. Whatever the solution, it should be based on
full observance of democratic principles and human rights, and encompass the worrying issue of Moroccan
refugees and prisoners, particularly those in urgent need of medical care. In this connection, the Council
fully supports the efforts made in this respect by the International Committee of the Red Cross and
encourages all
the Parties concerned to make every endeavour to find a solution rapidly to this
humanitarian problem. As for the return of refugees in accordance with the principles laid down by the
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, this is a decisive element of the UN settlement plan.

Regarding the European Union(cid:146)s humanitarian commitment,
the Union is the largest provider of
humanitarian aid to the Saharan refugees via the ECHO programme. Aid amounting to about € 20 million
managed by the Humanitarian Aid Office has been earmarked for the period 1999 to 2001.