WRITTEN QUESTION E-0576/01 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Freedom of association in Bulgaria.
Date: 2001-02-27
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Bulgaria, accession criteria, discrimination on the basis of nationality, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, national minority, political parties

21.8.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 235 E/227

Will the Commission forward to me copies of the audit report of its financial control service on ECHO-
Flight and the audit reports of Ernst &Young on the Berlaymont building?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2001)

The audit reports on the two subjects mentioned by the Honourable Member, together with information
on the conclusions drawn from those reports, have already been forwarded to Parliament on a confidential
basis, in accordance with Article 276 (formerly Article 206) of the EC Treaty.

The Commission forwarded the report on Echo Flight in the context of the 1998 discharge and on
9 February 2001, in the context of the 1999 discharge, it forwarded the confidential audit reports of Ernst
& Young to Mrs Theato, who chairs the Committee on Budgetary Control.

(2001/C 235 E/266)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0576/01

by Gorka Kn(cid:246)rr Borr(cid:224)s (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(27 February 2001)

Subject: Freedom of association in Bulgaria

On 29 February 2000, the Constitutional Court in Bulgaria declared a Macedonian-based political party,
OMO (cid:145)llinden(cid:146) (cid:129) PIRIN, unconstitutional. That party was registered in 1999 and took part
in the
municipal elections in October 1999. It has always declared that it would respect the constitutional and
legal system of Bulgaria and carry out its political activities peacefully. The party has lodged a complaint
with the European Court of Human Rights.

On 4 February 2000, a delegation of this party was prevented by the police from laying flowers on
a monument, although the police failed to produce any document in support of its action.

Does the Commission take the view that such decisions may violate the right of freedom of association
and constitutes discrimination against a national minority? Has the Commission asked for any explanation
from the Bulgarian authorities? Can the Commission indicate any justification received from the Bulgarian
authorities?

Does the Commission consider that such a decision is compatible with respect for the democratic criteria
established in Copenhagen? Has the Commission any intention of dealing with this kind of attitude in the
forthcoming reports on the progress made by the applicant countries?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 2001)

The Commission is aware of the ruling of the Bulgarian Constitutional Court concerning OMO-Illinden (cid:129)
PIRIN and that a complaint has been lodged with the European Court of Human Rights.

Regarding the specific incident to which the Honourable Member refers, the Commission does not possess
further information, and is therefore unable to comment.

In line with the Copenhagen criteria, the Commission follows closely respect for democracy, the rule of
law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities. It will continue to monitor this and report
as appropriate in its next Regular Report.