WRITTEN QUESTION E-0969/01 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission. Haiti.
Date: 2001-03-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Haiti, development aid, presidential election, suspension of aid

13.11.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 318 E/165

The Commission can therefore advise the Honourable Member that it is not true to state that all used
motor vehicles sold in the Community which have been in service for more than six months and have
travelled more than 6000 kilometres are subject to VAT on the profit margin.

(1) OJ L 145, 13.6.1977, Directive as last amended by Council Directive 2001/41/EC of 19 January 2001 (OJ L 22,

24.1.2001).

(2001/C 318 E/177)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0969/01

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Haiti

Would the Commission outline the procedures that were followed before the imposition of EU sanctions
against Haiti?

How has the Commission responded to the ACP(cid:146)s reaction to the measures taken with regard to Haiti?

Would the Commission agree that election procedures should not constitute the basis for a decision to
withdraw development assistance?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(1 June 2001)

Following the 21st May 2000 legislative elections and the subsequent report of
the international
observation mission (OAS) judging them flawed, the Union invited Haiti to consultations which were
opened on 26 September. The Union considered that one of the essential elements of the article 9 of the
Cotonou Agreement (respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law) had been
violated.

The procedures followed were in full respect of the provisions of article 96. In the consultation meeting the
Union expressed its concern at the situation and this was followed by a declaration of the Haitian minister
of foreign affairs that did not address the Union concerns. Provisional conclusions were issued where the
Union acknowledged the Haitian position but regretted the (cid:145)non taking into account(cid:146) of its remarks and
preoccupation. The Union clearly stated that the essential elements of article 9 of the Cotonou agreement
were not fulfilled. Haiti was expected to react and to bring new elements before the expiry of the two
months period provided for article 96 consultations.

In the course of October and November 2000 and before the presidential elections, several (cid:145)dØmarches(cid:146)
were conducted to the Haitian authorities to draw their attention to the possible consequences of their
attitude. The Haitian authorities took no corrective measures.

At the end of the period and after the presidential elections of November 2000 (which were boycotted by
the opposition parties and held in the absence of international observers because they were considered as
not complying with democratic rules), the closure procedure was initiated that led to the adoption of the
appropriate measures by the Council. Article 96 consultations aim at examining the situation in view to
find a solution acceptable to both parties. But it clearly foresees that if no solution has been found
appropriate measures can be taken.

The Commission did not react officially to the African, Caribbean and Pacific States(cid:146) (ACP) secretariat press
release. The Union undertook an explanation process through its Head of Mission in Haiti to explain its
political position as well as the measures taken in terms of reorientation of the co-operation programmes.

Co-operation with Haiti continues; assistance is not
(cid:145)withdrawn(cid:146). The measures taken are to avoid
penalising Haitian people; direct budget aid to the government has been suspended and existing funds
(€ 52 million) reoriented to projects of direct benefit to the population in the social sectors.

C 318 E/166

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.11.2001

The basis for the decision taken by the Union was the non-respect of article 9 of the Cotonou agreement,
in particular democratic principles; the calculation method used for the senatorial election implied the
non-consideration of more than 1 million votes.

A reassessment of the political situation must be undertaken before the end of the year 2001 on the basis
of which a new decision on the appropriate measures may be taken. The Commission hopes that the
Haitian authorities will have taken by then corrective measures in order to restore democracy that would
enable the Union to re-establish full co-operation.

In the case of Haiti, the basis of the decision was not only election procedures but a number of
irregularities and the non respect of basic democratic principles during the legislative but also the
presidential elections including fraud, intimidation, and a non representative Electoral Council.

(2001/C 318 E/178)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0970/01

by Pere Esteve (ELDR) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Assessment of the budgetary resources of the MEDA Programme and of the financial instruments

for the Mediteranean strategy

At its meeting in Brussels on 8 and 9 February 2001, the second session of the Euro-Mediterranean Forum
adopted a Final Declaration which calls for an assessment to be carried out of the partner countries(cid:146)
capacity to absorb the budgetary resources allocated under the MEDA Programme and of the financial
instruments of the new European strategy for the Mediterranean (point 33 of the Final Declaration).

With regard to this specific request, what steps does the Commission intend to take in order to address the
concern of the Forum at the earliest possible date? When does the Commission plan to present the results
of such a request to the European Parliament, so that budgetary resources may be allocated on the basis of
a comprehensive evaluation of the EU action?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 May 2001)

The concerns expressed by the Euro-Mediterranean Forum are addressed in the context of the reform of
the management of the Commission(cid:146)s financial and technical co-operation with third countries. This is one
of the key priorities of the Commission, as confirmed in the Commission(cid:146)s annual workprogramme for
2001 (1). This involves the creation of the new EuropeAid Office on 1 January 2001, as well as the
development of a more strategic approach and consolidated programming procedures vis-(cid:224)-vis third
countries. In addition, the reform of the external services will lead to a substantial strengthening of staff
resources in the Commission(cid:146)s delegations. This should also contribute to a speedier implementation of its
financial and technical co-operation with third countries.

the provisions of

the Council regulation (EC) No 2698/2000 of 27 November 2000 (2)
Moreover,
amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1488/96 introduce a number of specific amendments that will lead
to greater efficiency and speed in the implementation of the MEDA programme.

Lastly,
it should be recalled that partner countries also have to play an important role in the
implementation of the MEDA programme. Sufficient resources for administering MEDA resources have
to be made available by them. The Commission will monitor this carefully in the context of bilateral
contacts with partner countries.

The Commission will report on the issues mentioned above in the context of its regular dialogue with the
European Parliament,
the annual MEDA report, as well as in the context of the reporting on the
implementation of the reform of the management of the financial and technical co-operation with third
countries.

(1) COM(2001) 28 final.
(2) OJ L 311, 12.12.2000.