WRITTEN QUESTION E-0464/01 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission. Threat to peace in the Balkans and the rise in Albanian nationalism.
Date: 2001-02-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Albania, Kosovo, Western Balkans, aid policy, border war, ethnic conflict, multinational force, nationalism, peacekeeping

C 235 E/210

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.8.2001

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 2001)

The risks posed by organotin compounds, in particular tributyltin (TBT), to the aquatic environment are
widely recognised. The Commission is therefore fully supportive of a global ban on the application of
organotin compounds which act as biocides in antifouling systems on ships by 1 January 2003 as
proposed by the Mar(cid:237)ne Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organisation
(IMO).

In the Community the marketing and use of TBT for use in antifouling paints on ships is restricted by
Commission Directive 1999/51/EC of 26 May 1999 (1), adapting to technical progress for the fifth time
Annex I to Council Directive 76/769/EEC of 27 July 1996 (2) on restrictions on the marketing and use of
dangerous substances and preparations (tin, PCP and cadmium). According to these restrictions TBT may
only be used in antifouling paints on ships longer than 25 metres if the antifouling system provides for
controlled release of TBT. The use on boats shorter than 25 metres is banned as well as its use on boats in
inland waters of the Community. However, at the time of adoption of Directive 1999/51/EC, a majority of
Member States agreed to await the decision of IMO to ban TBT globally before introducing a ban at
Community level. It was judged that a unilateral ban would not be effective on ocean going ships. In the
light of this the Directive provides for a review of the provisions before 1 January 2003.

The Commission is closely following the developments in IMO, in particular the preparations for the
Diplomatic Conference in October 2001 where a decision to introduce a global ban on TBT is expected.
Following that decision the Commission will
immediately prepare a Commission Directive adapting
Directive 76/769/EEC to technical progress. Such a Directive would follow the committee procedure and
could be completed in three to six months. This would leave sufficient time before 1 January 2003 for the
Member States to transpose the provisions into national legislation.

With regard to the use of tin organic substances for the treatment of textiles the Commission will invite
Member States to submit all available information about possible risks of this use. The issue may then be
raised with other Member States in the Working Group on restrictions on marketing and use established
under Directive 76/769/EEC. Once the necessary discussions and evaluations have been completed, the
Commission will, if appropriate, propose to introduce restrictions also for such uses.

(1) OJ L 142, 5.6.1999.
(2) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.

(2001/C 235 E/246)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0464/01

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(20 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 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.

21.8.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

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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 Commission intend to take to help defuse the crisis before it is too late?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(26 April 2001)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member(cid:146)s concern at recent events in southern Serbia, in Kosovo
and in Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). The Union has condemned, in the strongest
terms, the killings in Kosovo and southern Serbia and has warned of the consequences if such ethnic
violence continues. The Union also, in welcoming the recent border agreement between Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia (FRY) and FYROM, called for the respect of borders.

The crisis in southern Serbia has been provoked by the Liberation Army of Presevo, Medvedja and
Bujanovac (UCPMB)/Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac liberation army (PMBLA) rather than the Kosovo
Liberation Army (UCK/KLA) which was disbanded by the international civil and military administrations in
Kosovo.

As is clear from the Conclusions of the General Affairs Council of 26 February 2001, the Union is
determined to play a role in defusing the crisis, both by the presence of European Union Monitory Mission
(EUMM) monitors and the announcement by the Commission that Community assistance to the Presevo
region is being doubled to € 1,9 million. The additional € 900 000 is coming from the Emergency
Assistance Programme and being directed to municipal projects under the Community(cid:146)s Schools for
for Democracy programmes. The Secretary General/High Representative,
Democracy and Towns
Mr Solana has also been asked to urgently present a comprehensive strategy for Union action concerning
the Presevo Valley.

The Commission is working closely with the Presidency and the High Representative to respond to the
crisis in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. A number of high level meetings between the
Secretary General/High Representative, Mr Solana and member of the Commission responsible for External
Relations took place with all the political parties of FYROM to enhance a political dialogue on minority
issues. The Commission is urgently assessing how it can best help. This includes the speeding up and
adjustment of existing assistance programmes as necessary. The assistance already granted includes help
with the Government(cid:146)s efforts on inter-ethnic issues,
including support for education in the Albanian
language, in particular the co-financing of the South East European University in Tetovo (€ 5 million), and
assistance for the Ministry of Local Self-Governments and local municipalities (€ 1,9 million). Substantial
assistance is also provide to improved border management to fight against terrorism.

Following the military offensive conducted by FYROM forces around Tetovo, the Commission is urgently
considering how it might help with the repair and re-building of houses which were destroyed in fighting.
A damage assessment team will visit affected villages as soon as the area has been declared safe for them to
do so.