WRITTEN QUESTION P-0462/01 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council. Threat to peace in the Balkans and the rise in Albanian nationalism.
Date: 2001-02-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Yugoslavia, humanitarian aid, the EU's international role, violence

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(2001/C 340 E/036)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0481/01

by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Council

(14 February 2001)

Subject: Falun Gong

Has the Council registered its strong disapproval to the Chinese authorities regarding their treatment of
Falun Gong practitioners? If so, what response has it received?

Joint answer
to Written Questions P-0444/01 and P-0481/01

(10 July 2001)

The restrictions on freedom of religion and belief in China are a recurrent item on the agenda of the EU-
China human rights dialogue. The issue was identified by the Council
in its conclusions of 22 and
23 January 2001 as one of the specific areas in which the EU considers that the dialogue process should
secure progress.

The EU has on several occasions expressed its deep concern to the Chinese authorities regarding the
measures taken against followers of religious and spiritual movements, including Falun Gong practitioners.
This matter was also discussed at the last round of the human rights dialogue which took place on 22 and
23 February in Stockholm. In fact, on 2 February the Troika in Beijing carried out a demarche in
preparation for the upcoming round of the EU-China human rights dialogue. The EU side gave the Chines
authorities a list of individual cases requesting that clemency measures be taken, and in that context orally
mentioned the names of Falun Gong followers Li Xiaobing, Li Xiaomei and Yu Changxin.

There is little information on the fate of Falun Gong detainees. The Hong Kong-based Information Centre
for Human Rights and Democracy counted 98 such deaths nation-wide between July 1999 and mid-
January 2001. It should be noted that 46 have occurred since October 2000, suggesting an increase in the
incidence of mistreatment of followers in recent months. According to the Information Centre for Human
Rights and Democracy, around 450 have been sentenced by courts, several hundred have been committed
to psychiatric institutions, and as many as 10 000 are currently serving (cid:145)re-education(cid:146) labour sentences.

The EU(cid:146)s position is that it does not want to engage in a discussion on the nature of the movement, but
that restrictions of freedom of religion and belief and freedom of assembly should be lifted and that the
human rights of all, including followers of Falun Gong, should be respected.

In its conclusions of 19 May 2001, the General Affairs Council stated that it was particularly concerned
about the lack of respect for fundamental freedoms in China, including the freedom of expression, religion
and association, and about the ongoing violations of human rights, in particular of Falun Gong followers.
In the same conclusions, the Council agreed the approach to be adopted with regard to the United States(cid:146)
decision to table a draft resolution on human rights in China at the 57th session of the United Nations
Commission on Human Rights.

(2001/C 340 E/037)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0462/01

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council

(14 February 2001)

Subject: Threat to peace in the Balkans and the rise in Albanian nationalism

In my capacity as European Parliament rapporteur on the implementation of
the action plan for
Albania and the neighbouring region, I am fully aware of the difficulties facing the Albanian Government

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in its attempts to strengthen democratic institutions. I should therefore like to express my profound alarm
at the events that have unfolded over the last few days in southern Serbia, Kosovo and the FYROM where
groups of armed Albanians have been attacking KFOR troops and the police and have been involved in
violent confrontations with the remaining members of the Serb population.

It is clear that the new strategy of the reorganised Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK/KLA) aims to change the
borders of the Balkans by making Kosovo independent and uniting all Albanians in a (cid:145)Greater Albania(cid:146),
which poses a serious threat to peace in the Balkans and indeed the whole of Europe.

Bearing in mind the grave threat to the stability of the region posed by extremist nationalist organisations,
what measures does the Council intend to take to help defuse the crisis before it is too late?

Reply

(10 July 2001)

The Council
is deeply concerned over the escalating violence in the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia (FYROM), which threatens to destabilise the country and the region. It also condemns the
continuing violence in Kosovo, notably targeting minorities.

Political demands should be put forward in a peaceful manner and in accordance with democratic
principles. The Stockholm European Council stated unequivocally that there is no future in our Europe for
those who follow the path of intolerance, nationalism and violence. The EU will only support those who
unreservedly choose the path of peace, democracy, reconciliation and regional cooperation. The Council
recalled the EU(cid:146)s firm commitment to the principles of the inviolability of borders and the territorial
integrity of the countries in the region.

It also stressed that

the continuation of effective internal political

The European Council reaffirmed its solidarity with President Trajkovski and the FYROM Government in
the current crisis and urged them to continue to respond with restraint, so as to prevent an escalation of
military activity.
reforms and
consolidation of a true multi-ethnic society were indispensable. The EU stands ready to assist in this
process within the framework of the considerable assistance it is already giving to FYROM. This includes
border management projects; support for refugees; support for local government throughout the country,
including a programme to improve infrastructures at municipal level; work in the field of minority rights,
including substantial contributions to the new University of South-East Europe in Tetovo; help with
judicial reform and training, including an emphasis on minority rights; and help with the forthcoming
census. The signature on 9 April 2001 of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with FYROM, the
first to be signed with a country in the region, will provide a framework for further support.

The European Council also called on the leaders of the ethnic Albanian community in FYROM to maintain
their commitment to the democratic process, to the renunciation of violence and to dialogue, and to hold
to that commitment in pursuing their legitimate aspirations to consolidate FYROM(cid:146)s multi-ethnic society. It
called on Albanian political leaders in Kosovo to continue to dissociate themselves unambiguously from
the extremists, to condemn violence unconditionally, and to respect the principle of the inviolability of
borders, as the Albanian Government has done. The EU welcomes its strong stand.

The European Council invited the High Representative, Mr Javier Solana, to follow the situation in the
region, to stay in close touch with the leaders and,
in consultation with the Commission, to make
recommendations to the Council.

The EU fully supports the political dialogue initiated in Southern Serbia. In this respect the Council
welcomes the signature of the cease-fire by FRY/Serb and ethnic Albanian representatives in southern
Serbia, which constitutes an important step, as well as the start of talks in the framework of the Covic plan
to reach a negotiated settlement. The Stockholm European Council expressed appreciation for the
readiness of the FRY and Serb authorities to resolve the conflict peacefully. It called on all parties to
undertake real confidence-building measures,
including the release of all Kosovo Albanian political
prisoners. The EU stands ready to assist this process, inter alia by an increased EUMM presence in the area.
The Commission has already started to provide special economic and humanitarian assistance (€ 2 million)
to the region.

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The EU is keeping the security situation under regular review. At its meeting on 19 March, the Council
welcomed the interim report of Mr Solana, High Representative, on further EU action concerning south-
east Serbia and invited him to continue his work on an EU strategy for that region in collaboration with
the Presidency and the Commission.

The EU is committed to the full implementation of the 1244 UN SC resolution on Kosovo. The Council
finally wants to recall the substantial support which the EU is making available for the stabilisation and
development of Kosovo. EU Member States have made the largest contribution to KFOR, as well as
providing police and judiciary, and have supplied the majority of funding for the OSCE efforts with regard
to institution-building and civil society. The EC has been the largest donor of humanitarian assistance, and
remains the lead actor in the field of reconstruction and economic development, not only in financial
terms but also through its responsibility for/leadership of Pillar 4 of UNMIK.

However, the EU has made it clear that further assistance will have to be accompanied by the readiness of
the Kosovars to help quell ethnic violence and their efforts towards reconciliation.

(2001/C 340 E/038)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0463/01

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(20 February 2001)

Subject: EU-Turkey partnership

The French National Assembly recently adopted a resolution recognising the genocide of the Armenians.
Turkey responded with retaliatory measures of a mainly economic nature, cancelling a number of contracts
with French companies. On 13 December 1999, the European Council meeting in Helsinki decided to
recognise Turkey as a candidate country for accession to the EU, and to draw up an accession partnership
and a single financial framework to assist Turkey towards accession.

Does the Council consider that Turkey(cid:146)s (cid:145)economic retaliation(cid:146) against France, and its unilateral termination
of contracts are politically and legally compatible with the EU-Turkey customs union or that such conduct
is consistent with the criteria laid down by the European Council in Copenhagen?

Reply

(10 July 2001)

The retaliatory measures taken against France after the adoption of the law concerning official recognition
of the Armenian genocide were aimed at projects of a bilateral nature. Nevertheless, the Commission has
responsibility for ensuring the proper application of the Association Agreement and the Customs Union
with Turkey and is following the situation closely. It has pointed out that the retaliatory measures can only
be counter-productive at a time when Turkey is being invited to enter into an accession partnership and
has recently adopted a national programme for the taking over of the Community (cid:145)acquis(cid:146).

The European Union will consider whether any measures need to be taken in the context of the existing
EU-Turkey agreements and the pre-accession process.

(2001/C 340 E/039)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0466/01

by Ioannis Mar(cid:237)nos (PPE-DE) to the Council

(20 February 2001)

Subject: Assessment of consequences of bombing Yugoslavia

The (cid:145)Balkans Syndrome(cid:146) has justifiably caused alarm throughout Europe concerning the consequences of
the bombing of Bosnia, Serbia and Kosovo.