WRITTEN QUESTION E-1467/01 by Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Alienation among the young ‐ an example in Italy.
Date: 2001-05-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU policy, disaffection of young people, youth policy

C 350 E/164

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

(2001/C 350 E/175)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1464/01

by Robert Goebbels (PSE) to the Commission

(17 May 2001)

Subject: Illegal fishing in Mauritania(cid:146)s EEZ

I recently returned from a visit to Mauritania, where I met the country(cid:146)s Minister for Fisheries. Mr Zamel
complained bitterly that 30 to 40 boats regularly operate illegally inside the country(cid:146)s exclusive economic
zone. These vessels, most of which are from Asian countries, apparently use the Spanish port of Las
Palmas as a base, even to unload fish illegally caught in Mauritanian waters. These illegal fishermen would
therefore seem to be competing unfairly with European fishermen, who operate in the Mauritanian EEZ
within the framework of the existing fishery agreement.

Can the Commission confirm this information received in Mauritania? What steps does it intend to take to
stop this illegal trade and hence contribute to sustainable protection of Mauritania(cid:146)s fishery resources?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(16 July 2001)

The Commission has not officially received information from Mauritania concerning illegal
operations by (cid:145)Asian boats(cid:146) in the Mauritanian exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

fishing

In the framework of the fisheries agreement between the Community and Mauritania, the Commission is
informed about
fisheries
enforcement and control within the Mauritanian EEZ are quite effective. The Commission has repeatedly
demonstrated its commitment to the sustainability of Mauritanian fisheries resources

the arrests of Community-flagged vessels. The Commission believes that

While there exists Community legislation in the control and enforcement area, its implementation is the
responsibility of the Member States. However, the activities of a third-country vessel in waters outside of
Community jurisdiction are not covered by such legislation. Moreover, Mauritania has not made any
approaches to the Community or, to its knowledge, to Spain concerning this matter. If such an approach
were made, it would have to be considered on its merits.

Moreover, it should be noted that both the Community and Mauritania have very recently expressed their
support for the adoption by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the (cid:145)International Plan of
Action to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing(cid:146). This Plan indicates that
(cid:145)States should undertake comprehensive and effective monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) of fishing
from its commencement, through the point of landing to final destination (cid:133)(cid:146).

(2001/C 350 E/176)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1467/01

by Guido Podest(cid:224) (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Alienation among the young (cid:129) an example in Italy

(17 May 2001)

The case of a double murder committed in Novi Ligure by an adolescent who killed his mother and young
brother has provoked shock and dismay. It happened in an apparently normal family, of a high cultural,
social and economic level, where care for the children seems to have taken priority over the parents(cid:146)
professional ambitions.

What is even more disturbing is the fact that this is not an isolated case. Such events raise questions about
the feeling of alienation increasingly affecting some teenagers which, as in this case, can lead to unheard-of
violence, regardless of the socio-economic background.

11.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 350 E/165

The Charter of Fundamental Rights adopted in Nice refers to respect for family life, in particular stressing
the safeguarding of children(cid:146)s rights, but perhaps ignoring the problems of adolescents.

Can the Commission say:

(cid:129) whether it does not think that these events make it essential to launch a thorough investigation, in all

the Member States, to uncover, at last, the situations of conflict which can exist in families;

(cid:129) whether it considers it appropriate to encourage further research into the causes of conflict (parents(cid:146)
expectations of their children differing from the children(cid:146)s own desires, excessively strict educational
standards, sometimes repressive social values, etc.);

(cid:129) how it intends to help young people to deal with the large number of often contradictory messages

they receive;

(cid:129) how it intends to make it possible to pay more attention to these feelings of alienation, especially in

their early stages;

(cid:129) whether it considers that it should take action with regard to information policy to prevent a morbid
interest in such events from helping to make them more common because of a (cid:145)chain reaction(cid:146)?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(2 July 2001)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member(cid:146)s fears in the light of the tragedy in Novi Ligure.

The Commission is planning to take an initiative by the end of the year in the area of youth. This initiative
will take the form of a White Paper on a new system of co-operation between Member States(cid:146) youth
policies.

In order to draw up its proposals, the Commission has held extensive talks over a period of one year with
young people themselves, civil society organisations involved in this field, researchers and ministries in the
Member States. The European Parliament has been involved in this consultation and has itself organised
a hearing on this subject.

The proposals will relate to all factors which condition the lives of young people in society: their
involvement in public life, formal and non-formal education, employment, initiative, etc. The well-being of
young people, and for some of them the lack of it, is an issue of particular concern to the Commission.

In the light of the above, the Commission also intends to propose new studies, research and information
measures. It is essential that we gain a better understanding of how the profound changes in the social,
economic and cultural environment affect young people(cid:146)s daily lives and how they respond to this and
what impact it has on their attitudes to a variety of institutions, such as the family.

(2001/C 350 E/177)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1470/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(17 May 2001)

Subject: Delays in the administration of justice

Despite the promises made last year by the Minister responsible that there would be an IT revolution in
the law courts by January 2001, even now the office responsible for registering cases at the Milan court is
behind and is still dealing with the judges appointed in December 2000. A new four inch-thick file, like
those produced a decade ago, was compiled only a month ago to help judges find their cases, with the
names of the parties and the registration numbers of the cases. Instead of the promised use of information