WRITTEN QUESTION E-0905/01 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Greek Médecins sans Frontières.
Date: 2001-03-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Greece, humanitarian aid, non-governmental organisation

11.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 350 E/53

(2001/C 350 E/056)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0905/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 March 2001)

Subject: Greek MØdecins sans FrontiŁres

In my previous Question (No P-2266/99 (1)) I expressed concern regarding the expulsion of the Greek
section of MØdecins sans FrontiŁres (MSF Greece), on the grounds that, according to the international
organisation, it had (cid:145)helped both sides involved in the Kosovo crisis without permission(cid:146). In the same
question I expressed concern regarding the treatment of MSF Greece with regard to impartial approval by
ECHO and the Commission of the funding of humanitarian programmes. However, approximately one and
a half years later, it seems that MSF Greece is being treated in a discriminatory fashion. This can be seen in
the Commission(cid:146)s obstructionism to date over the approval of the Framework Partnership Agreement
(FPA), and the fact that in a document from the Development Directorate-General dated 23 November
2000 it is suggested that the MSF Greece programme in Palestine should be suspended, pending the
resolution of the conflict between the two organisations.

How does the Commission account for the lengthy delay in approving the FPA, and the existence of

1.
such a document?

2.

Does the Commission consider that MSF Greece has lesser rights than other organisations?

3. Where should an organisation which considers that it has received discriminatory treatment from EU
bodies turn in order to assert its rights?

(1) OJ C 203 E, 18.7.2000, p. 160.

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(5 July 2001)

The Honourable Member(cid:146)s question refers to relations between the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) on
the one hand and the Directorate-General for Development on the other with MØdecins sans FrontiŁres
(MSF)-Greece. The Commission would like to point out that its departments have dealt with the files on
this issue independently and on a case by case basis.

The decision to accept a bid is based on a large number of criteria to ensure that the Community budget is
well managed and implemented locally. Legal certainty is clearly a major element, although other factors
such as experience on the ground and available operational resources are just as important.

The internal document to which the Honourable Member refers has no official status. However, it is true
that MSF-International opposed the use of the name MSF-Greece and the Commission gave MSF-Greece
the opportunity to clarify its legal position in its letter of 19 April 2001 (see below).

The Commission would like to draw the Honourable Member(cid:146)s attention to the following points regarding
the treatment of MSF-Greece(cid:146)s application to sign a Framework Partnership Agreement with ECHO in
March 1997.

Signature of a Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) with ECHO concludes a process of selection and
checking of the criteria established under Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96 of 20 June
1996 concerning humanitarian aid. ECHO uses this instrument to determine the most efficient partners.

MSF-Greece did not meet these criteria when submitting its application due to a lack of autonomous
operational capacity.

C 350 E/54

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

A new FPA came into force in January 1999. ECHO then prioritised the conclusion of Framework
Partnership Agreements with former partners and NGOs which had already worked with it. Around 300
applications were examined during 1999 and 2000,
leading to the conclusion of 184 Partnership
Agreements.

MSF-Greece submitted a new application to sign a Framework Partnership Agreement in October 1999.

Soon afterwards,
it submitted an application for funding for a project regarding the tuberculosis
department of the Toponica psychiatric hospital. It was not selected for reasons connected with the
application of Article 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1257/96. To check on the NGO(cid:146)s compliance with this
Article, and in particular whether it had operational and financial capacities required to implement the
project, it was necessary first to carry out an audit, since MSF-Greece had not signed the Framework
Agreement. This would have delayed the action well beyond the implementation deadline of
the
Commission(cid:146)s financial decision.

ECHO intends to begin selecting new partners under Framework Agreements at the beginning of 2002
targeting applications from NGOs which have never worked with the Office, including MSF-Greece. The
implementation procedures for
appraisal procedure was initially postponed to allow the revision of
Framework Partnership Agreements in 2000, and subsequently the drafting of the new FPA, planned for
2001. As a result, this year priority was again given to partners with proven experience of Framework
Agreements and those who have already carried out operations. On 19 April 2001 a letter was sent to
MSF-Greece giving them an opportunity to confirm their eligibility. An answer is expected which would
allow them to submit their application.

The person responsible for relations with NGOs met an MSF-Greece delegation in December 2000 to
ensure transparency. A detailed explanation of
the reasons justifying the delay in processing the
partnership application was given and allegations of discrimination due to pressure from the MSF
international movement against its former section were formally rebutted.

The Commission fully respects the independence of its partner NGOs. However, it notes that there is still
doubt over the use of the name (cid:145)MSF-Greece(cid:146). It will naturally apply court rulings on the right to use the
MSF name and logo. Meanwhile it is up to MSF-Greece to provide the necessary assurances of its
entitlement to use the name and logo, so that the Commission can plan a contract in compliance with the
rules on sound financial management.

ECHO will examine in detail and with interest partnership applications from MSF-Greece and any other
NGO.

If MSF-Greece feels its rights have been infringed it can seek redress against the Commission via the
European Ombudsman.

(2001/C 350 E/057)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0907/01

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 March 2001)

Subject: Granting of radio station licences and preserving pluralism in the mass media

Under the new legislative arrangements introduced by the Greek Government for the granting of radio
station licences, three stations were put in joint last place, including Skai, the station with the highest
ratings, which on many occasions does not follow the official Greek Government line.

Since, under Article 6 of the EU Treaty, the European Union is founded on the principles of liberty,
democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, and since, under the
protocol incorporated into the Amsterdam Treaty, the system of public broadcasting in the Member States