WRITTEN QUESTION E-1652/01 by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Council. 2008 Olympic Games.
Date: 2001-06-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: China, EU relations, Olympic games, common foreign and security policy, freedom of the press, human rights

C 40 E/74

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.2.2002

At its 57th session, the UNCHR adopted its resolution number 2001/24. In this, it noted (cid:145)the establishment
of the National Public Commission on Investigation of Violations and Respect for Human Rights in the
Northern Caucasus (the Krasheninnikov Commission).(cid:146)

It is perhaps worth recalling that it was the EU which presented resolution 2000/58 to the UNCHR. Again,
this year, it was the EU which sponsored resolution 2001/24. Indeed, the EU has spoken out steadfastly
against all attacks on human rights and dignity in Chechnya, whoever may be the authors. Time and again,
the EU has used every available forum to raise this issue at the very highest level with the Russian
authorities. The EU expects that these will live up fully to their commitments. It looks forward to receiving
the first report of the Krasheninnikov Commission, which it helped to bring into existence.

(2002/C 40 E/072)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1652/01

by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Council

(12 June 2001)

Subject: 2008 Olympic Games

What is the Council(cid:146)s opinion on China(cid:146)s offer to host the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing? Will the
Council encourage Member State governments to seek assurances on major improvements in China(cid:146)s
record on human rights and press freedom, etc. before supporting such a proposal?

Reply

(8 October 2001)

The Council has not discussed China(cid:146)s or other countries(cid:146) candidature to host the Olympic Games in 2008.
The Council has, however,
in the framework of its political dialogue and human rights dialogue with
China, expressed its concern about ongoing human rights violations and has urged the Chinese authorities
to take positive measures to improve the situation on the ground.

(2002/C 40 E/073)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1657/01

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 June 2001)

Subject: Delay in building the Egnatia Highway under the second CSF and its completion under the third

CSF

According to information published concerning the progress of work on the Egnatia Highway,
in the
period up to 1994, 18 % of the work was completed, and between 1994 and mid-2001 20 % was
completed, i.e. a total of only 38 %. As regards Community funding, a total of GRD 1 100 billion will be
provided under the second and third CSFs for construction of the New Egnatia Highway and GRD 300
billion for the construction of perpendicular roads, though that will not complete the project. Moreover,
according to official figures from the contractor, Egnatia Odos A. E., GRD 521 billion, i.e. only 35 % of the
total estimated cost of the project, has been used so far and, therefore, even if the annual take-up rate is as
much as GRD 200 billion, it will take another five years to complete the project, without taking account
of perpendicular roads and any problem areas.

Finally, according to the latest information bulletin from Egnatia A. E.
(March 2001), the project is
scheduled to run through to 2004, whereas the minister responsible stated that the Egnatia Highway was
under development and would be operational much earlier than the end of 2003, i.e. several months
before the opening of the Olympic Games.