WRITTEN QUESTION E-2180/01 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Traffic accidents and motorcycles.
Date: 2001-07-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community support framework, Greece, road safety, transport accident, two-wheeled vehicle

4.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/127

This situation is an example of a violation of human rights, since Mrs Silvestri is being deprived of her
right to take her daughter back to Italy and bring her up in accordance with her own religion.

What steps will the Council take vis-(cid:224)-vis the Algerian Government to put an end to this situation, which
is a serious violation of human rights?

Reply

(27 November 2001)

The Council would draw the attention of the Honourable Member of Parliament to the fact that the
Council has no specific powers under the treaties in the case referred to, which is a matter of bilateral
relations between Italy and Algeria.

However, it should be noted that the Belgian Presidency is to take the initiative of organising a conference
on parental responsibility. In this context, it will be looking at the Convention on the Rights of the Child
of 20 November 1989, particularly the definition of a regional instrument for the protection of the rights
of
to personal
relationships.

the child including the problem of parental abductions and respect

for the right

In addition, the draft Association Agreement which the Commission is in the process of negotiating with
Algeria provides inter alia for a strengthening of mutual assistance for the purpose of cooperation in
handling civil, commercial and family disputes and cases. The negotiations have not yet been completed,
but it appears that this provision has been agreed to by the Algerian side.

(2002/C 81 E/151)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2180/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Traffic accidents and motorcycles

(23 July 2001)

Traffic accidents are the main cause of death for the age group between 18 and 44 and for motorcyclists,
according to the (cid:145)On the Road 2001-2005(cid:146) Programme of the Greek Ministry of Health. This programme
also states that Greece is the country with the highest percentage variation in the number of deaths on the
road between 1980 and 1997, namely 60 %. Despite all this, Greece has no special training programmes
or special training grounds for motorcyclists. Furthermore, the age at which licences are issued is higher in
the case of motorcycles than of cars, even though motorcyclists tend to be younger. Will the Commission
say whether the third Community Support Framework will contain actions to cover the training
requirements of motorcyclists and measures to prevent traffic accidents?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 2001)

During the 2000-2006 programming period, the Greek Community Support Framework provides for the
preparation and implementation of an integrated action plan for road safety improvement. This plan
provides for interventions in identified black spots, the installation of anti-skid surface layers, improvement
the
of signs, marking and lighting, new driver training,
reinforcement of police controls and the enhancement of emergency help in case of accidents. This
integrated action plan will also be implemented through actions and projects to be co-financed mainly
under the (cid:145)Road axes, Ports, Urban Development(cid:146) and (cid:145)Railways, Airports, Urban Transports(cid:146) operational
programmes which include specific measures for the improvement of road safety.

training in schools and in special parks,