WRITTEN QUESTION E-1535/01 by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Commission. Measures to prevent the cultivation of cannabis and opium in Lebanon.
Date: 2001-05-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, EU programme, Lebanon, crop production, narcotic, technical cooperation

C 81 E/36

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

Given the major importance of combating drug trafficking and preventing this major scourge from
afflicting the European Community:

1. What specific programmes of aid for Lebanon are being considered by the Council?

2.

Is the Council considering funding for programmes to combat the cultivation of cannabis and opium
and strengthen Lebanon(cid:146)s agricultural economy? If so, what are these programmes?

3. Can the Council provide any information concerning MEDA funding for programmes to assist

Lebanon?

4. Have specific initiatives been taken to cooperate with the Lebanese authorities in combating illicit

cultivation activities and networks trafficking in illegal drugs?

Reply

(26 November 2001)

1.
Following the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam and the adoption of the Common
Strategy on the Mediterranean region by the Feira European Council on 19 and 20 June 2000, the Council
in May 2001 adopted an addition to the negotiating directives of 1995 for the EU-Lebanon Euro-
mediterranean Association Agreement. This addition refers to the strengthening of cooperation in different
areas of justice and home affairs, including cooperation on illicit drugs.

the Parties,

(cid:145)within their

According to the addition to the mandate,

2.
respective powers and
competencies, will co-operate to ensure a balanced and integrated approach towards drugs. Drug policies
and actions should be aimed at reducing the supply, trafficking and demand of illicit drugs as well as at a
more effective control of precursors. In order to attain these objectives, the Parties will, in the framework
of these provisions, agree on the necessary methods of co-operation. These actions shall be based on
commonly agreed principles along the lines of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session 1998.
The co-operation between the Parties is also envisaged to comprise technical and administrative assistance
in particular in the following areas: drafting of national
legislation and policies; establishment of
institutions and information centres; training of personnel; drug related research; and the prevention of
diversion of precursors used for the illicit manufacture of drugs. The Parties may also agree to include
other areas.(cid:146)

The question raised by the Honourable Member of Parliament in regard to the MEDA funding for
3.
programmes to assist Lebanon in preventing the cultivation of cannabis and opium in Lebanon, falls into
the competence of the European Commission.

(2002/C 81 E/045)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1535/01

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Commission

(22 May 2001)

Subject: Measures to prevent the cultivation of cannabis and opium in Lebanon

According to articles appearing in the international press one of the consequences of the long drawn-out
civil war in Lebanon has been the illegal cultivation of cannabis and opium replacing agricultural crops. To
date, aid measures seeking to restore a healthy and developing agricultural economy in Lebanon, putting a
definitive end to cultivation connected with drugs trafficking have not produced the hoped-for results. The
press reports in question also mention US aid but make no reference to similar efforts by the European
Union.

4.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/37

Given the major importance of combating drug trafficking and preventing this major scourge from
afflicting the European Community:

1. What specific programmes of aid for Lebanon are currently being organised by the Commission?

2. Has the Commission provided funding for programmes to combat the cultivation of cannabis and

opium and strengthen Lebanon(cid:146)s agricultural economy and if so what are these programmes?

3. Can the Commission provide any information concerning MEDA funding for programmes in

Lebanon?

4. Have specific initiatives been taken to ensure cooperation with the Lebanese authorities in combating

the illicit cultivation activities and networks trafficking in illegal drugs?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2001)

There are no Community aid programmes at present under consideration in support of combating

1.
drug cultivation and trafficking.

2.
In 1994 a grant of € 600 000 was provided to the Government of Lebanon for training, technical
assistance and equipment for controlling drug trafficking. In the same year an agreement was signed with
the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) to provide a grant of € 1 400 000
which focussed on crop replacement in the Bekaa Valley.

A grant of € 164 032 was approved in 1996 to the (cid:145)Groupe International de Recherche en Toxicomanie(cid:146)
and (cid:145)FØdØration Internationale des UniversitØs Catholiques(cid:146)
for training of trainers in drug addiction
problems.

The non-governmental organisation (NGO) (cid:145)SOS Drug International(cid:146) received a grant of € 139 870 in 1998
to establish a reception centre and for assisting with the re-integration of drug addicts in Lebanon.

3.
Over the period 1995-1999 (MEDA I) Lebanon was allocated € 145 million in grants to support
administrative, social and economic reforms, and an additional € 21 million interest subsidy on an
environmental sector loan from the European Investment Bank. The five principal areas supported by
Community funding are rehabilitation of the public administration,
investment planning programme,
industrial modernisation, structural adjustment facility, and the establishment of a fund for social and
economic development.

Support under MEDA II (2000 onwards) will focus on economic and fiscal reforms, implementation of the
Association Agreement (expected to be concluded by end 2001), trade enhancement.

The two projects funded in 1994 entailed close co-operation with the interior ministry and other

4.
authorities in Lebanon involved with illicit drug cultivation and trafficking.

(2002/C 81 E/046)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1579/01

by Adeline Hazan (PSE) to the Council

(28 May 2001)

Subject: Right to family reunification

The next meeting of the JHA Council on 28 and 29 May 2001 will discuss the proposal for a Council
directive on the right to family reunification.

This measure is essential for ensuring normal family life, a requirement set out in Article 8 of the European
Convention on Human Rights, which stipulates that (cid:145)Everyone has the right to respect for his ((cid:133)) family
life(cid:146).