WRITTEN QUESTION E-0152/01 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Balkans syndrome ‐ safety of Community staff.
Date: 2001-01-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Agency for Reconstruction, European official, Kosovo, airline, health risk, occupational health, operation of the Institutions

21.8.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 235 E/133

The next thing is to obtain balance assessments of health risks. The Commission will, as soon as possible,
set up expert groups, one on the effects of DVT and the other on air quality and cabin conditions. They
will scrutinise existing research and then draw conclusions on risks to health, the need for further research
and on measures that the different actors involved should take.

(2001/C 235 E/142)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0152/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Balkans syndrome (cid:129) safety of Community staff

(31 January 2001)

The Commission has already expressed its concern about the Balkans syndrome, while large numbers of
Community staff and non-governmental organisations are located in dangerous areas of Kosovo. As
Thessaloniki is the seat of the Agency for the Reconstruction of the Balkans, does the Commission intend
to consider the possibility of moving Community staff to Thessaloniki to protect their health? The
extension of the agency(cid:146)s activities to Serbia and Montenegro will cause communication problems for the
is a subsidy for an air service connecting
agency(cid:146)s Community staff. Under the existing regulations,
Thessaloniki with Pristina-Belgrade-Podgorica a possibility?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 2001)

The investigation of the alleged (cid:145)Balkans syndrome(cid:146) is still ongoing in various fora.

The United Nations Environmental Programme and the Community(cid:146)s Article 31 Committee have
concluded that there is no immediate environmental or health risk. The Community co-operates with the
international organisations carrying out such investigations. Thus far, there is no clear evidence of health
implications. The work of the European Agency for Reconstruction will therefore continue as usual i.e. in
the places where the programmes are implemented.

Although transport in the region can be difficult, the opening of offices of the Agency in Belgrade and
Podgorica will not cause communication difficulties. Apart from the fact that each of the Agency(cid:146)s three
offices will handle separate programmes with dedicated staff, modern technology provides for sufficient
contacts and overall co-ordination.

As regards the Honourable Member(cid:146)s second suggestion, the Commission would remind the Honourable
Member that Community competition rules would not allow such a subsidy (cid:129) either with Community or
national funds (cid:129) unless it results from a Community-wide tendering process.

(2001/C 235 E/143)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0153/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(31 January 2001)

Subject: Balkans syndrome and the responsibilities of the Agency for the Reconstruction of the Balkans

As implementing authority for the CARDS regulation, one of the responsibilities of the Agency for the
Reconstruction of the Balkans is environmental rehabilitation in the Balkans (Article 2(2)(d) of Regulation