WRITTEN QUESTION E-2031/01 by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Women and the euro.
Date: 2001-07-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU publication, United Kingdom, euro, opinion poll, public awareness campaign, woman

C 93 E/50

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2002

The Commission is keeping a close watch on the planning stages of Portugal’s high-speed rail plan. This
plan includes the Atlantic rail route which is part of priority project No 8 and which should contribute to
the continuity and interoperability of the rail links between Spain and Portugal.

(1) OJ C 340 E, 4.12.2001, p. 155.
(2) OJ L 228, 9.9.1996.
(3) Answer, 3.7.2001.
(4) COM(2001) 370.
(5) OJ L 235, 17.9.1996.

(2002/C 93 E/064)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2031/01

by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: Women and the euro

In reference to the project ‘Women and the euro’:

7 As some of the booklets ‘the Euro puts a new value in your pocket’ and accompanying posters are

written in English, are there any plans to distribute them in Britain?

7 Are there any plans to distribute these posters and the booklet in Britain in the run-up to the British

referendum on the euro?

7 Has any money been spent in Britain as part of the campaign ‘Women and the euro’?

7 How much of EU money was spent on this project, and which budget line did it come from?

7 Are there any plans to produce similar material for other target groups, such as the elderly? If so, are

there any plans to distribute it in Britain?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(18 September 2001)

The project ‘Women and the euro’ was submitted in the framework of the Prince programme in 1999 and
was retained, thereby receiving a financial contribution from the Commission.

This was done, because a Eurobarometer survey published in July 1999 confirmed 7 what other surveys
have shown before 7 that women were less enthusiastic about the introduction of the euro and felt less
well informed about it than men. Only 39 % of women felt, according to this Eurobarometer survey, well
or very well informed about the Euro, as compared to 51 % of the men.

Three Member States were involved: Belgium, Germany and Italy. Consequently, the United Kingdom was
neither a partner to the project, nor a target country. The English version of the booklets and the posters
was destined for Ireland (and non governmental organisations (NGOs) dealing with equality and women’s
issues).

There are no plans whatsoever to distribute the posters and the booklets in the United Kingdom in the
run-up to the British referendum on the euro. The project has come to an end, the stocks have been used
up, and the target groups were exclusively women.

No money was spent in the United Kingdom as part of this campaign, as there was no partnership with
Britain, hence no financial contribution from a British partner.

A grant agreement was concluded and the contribution by the Commission amounts to € 152,400 on a
total eligible cost of € 304,971 on budget line B-33060. The Commission is currently assessing the final
report and the cost-benefit ratio of the project.

18.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/51

There are no plans to produce similar material for other target groups, such as the elderly, and to
distribute them in the United Kingdom: these groups were targeted in other projects submitted either in
1999 or in 2000 in the framework of the second and third calls for proposals on information and
communication initiatives aiming at specific audiences about the euro (1). Most 1999 projects have come
to an end, whereas the 2000 projects are now in an implementation phase. No new initiatives are to be
expected until 2002, as no new calls for proposals are planned.

(1) OJ C 212, 25.7.2000.

(2002/C 93 E/065)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2036/01

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Human rights situation in Vietnam

(13 July 2001)

Will the Commission ask the Vietnamese Government to clarify what has happened to the Catholic Priest
Nguyen Van Ly who in May, after calling for greater freedom of religion in Vietnam, was arrested and
seriously assaulted?

Will the Commission ask its delegation in Vietnam to visit this priest, who is apparently seriously ill, in
prison and report to the Commission and Parliament on the visit?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(5 September 2001)

Father Ly was arrested on 17 May 2001 and is understood to remain under arrest in a Military hospital
near Hue.

The Delegation of the Commission in Hanoi, together with the diplomatic missions to Vietnam of the
Member States, follows closely matters of concern in the field of human rights and participates in all
actions to convey the Union’s concern to the Vietnamese authorities. The Commission will continue to
raise particular issues and individual cases of concern in the course of these contacts.

In regard to the case of Father Ly, attention is drawn to the remarks of the member of the Commission
responsible for External Relations in the Parliament debate on religious freedom in Vietnam on 5 July
2001.

(2002/C 93 E/066)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2037/01

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: Military operations in West Papua

Is the Commission aware that the Indonesian police and security forces are carrying out operations with
increasing frequency in the Indonesian province of West Papua (Irian Jaya), including in the regency of
Manokwari?

Is the Commission aware that during a conflict between local residents and a logging company, in which
Indonesian security forces and police intervened, at least four people were killed in Nabire and that since
then yet more Papuans have died in circumstances which have not been clarified?

How will the Commission make clear to the Indonesian Government its disapproval of these military
actions and human rights violations,
inter alia because the military actions are contrary to President
Wahid’s promise to engage in political dialogue over West Papua?