WRITTEN QUESTION E-2426/01 by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Equal treatment of religions in Slovakia.
Date: 2001-09-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Slovakia, State aid, broadcasting, educational institution, religious discrimination, religious group, support policy

18.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/129

In view of the complexity of the disease situation in the United Kingdom, the inspections undertaken by
the Commission have concentrated on controls in the areas where the disease outbreaks have occurred,
and on those factors representing a high risk of disease spread. By adopting a risk-based approach, it has
been possible for controls to be targeted in the most effective manner possible, and to obtain a clear
picture of the state of the epidemic and its likely development. The specific issue of disinfection of vehicles
at points of exit from the United Kingdom has not been given priority, as other issues were considered to
represent significantly higher risks of spread of disease.

The minutes of the meetings of the Standing Veterinary Committee, and the FVO’s mission reports, are
transmitted to the Parliament in accordance with the normal procedures.

The Commission will evaluate, at the end of the epidemic and in the light of the corrective measures
undertaken by the Member States, whether it is necessary to take further action in relation to the
shortcomings which have been detected, in accordance with its responsibilities and duties in this regard.

(1) OJ L 315, 26.11.1985.
(2) OJ L 125, 5.5.2001.

(2002/C 93 E/153)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2426/01

by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(4 September 2001)

Subject: Equal treatment of religions in Slovakia

The John Calvin theological college in Slovakia does not receive any subsidy from the Slovakian
government, whereas other smaller and larger church institutes are recognised as seminaries and/or
faculties.

The college has been waiting for recognition as a faculty for six years. The report by the Commission
requesting that the college should be recognised as a faculty was published ten months ago. If recognition
is refused, payment of the pastors and ministers will be stopped. Other historical churches are allocated
broadcasting time on public radio and television. This is not the case for the Calvinists. With 90 000
members, the Calvinist church is the fourth largest in the country.

Will the Commission investigate, in the negotiations with Slovakia, whether there is discrimination on the
grounds of practising a particular religion or whether the reason for this discriminatory treatment is rather
to be found in the fact that the Calvinists belong to the Hungarian minority?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 2001)

The Commission is closely following the respect of freedom of religion in Slovakia in the framework of the
Copenhagen political criteria. In its 1999 Regular Report (1), the Commission came for the first time to the
conclusion that Slovakia fulfils the political criteria. The same conclusion was drawn in the following
Report of 2000 (2).

The Commission can confirm that the Jean Calvin theological college has sought to be accredited, but so
far has not been recognised as a faculty. The Commission can also confirm that the vast majority of
Calvinists in Slovakia belong to the Hungarian minority.

This has, however, according to Commission’s information, neither influenced the public financing of this
church, nor the presence of Calvinists on public television and radio stations. Both financing and providing
broadcasting time for churches are regulated by law. The state is responsible for paying the salaries of
church ministers and partly also for its administration. The Calvinists’ church in Slovakia is financed in the
same manner as the other 14 registered churches in Slovakia.

C 93 E/130

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2002

The Commission will continue to monitor closely the fulfilment of the political criteria in the further
course of accession negotiations, including the respect of freedom of religion.

(1) COM(1999) 511 final.
(2) COM(2000) 711 final.

(2002/C 93 E/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2432/01

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 September 2001)

Subject: Shootings in Algeria

In the light of recent shootings of civilians in Algeria, what steps can the Commission take within the
terms of the EU Algeria Association Agreement to ensure that Algeria gives a higher priority to human
rights and indeed conforms to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 2001)

The negotiations on an Association Agreement between Algeria and the EU are still in progress. Clauses
providing that respect for democratic principles and fundamental human rights, as enshrined in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, must underpin the parties’ domestic and international policies will
form an essential element of the agreement. These provisions will be the subject of a regular political
dialogue to be instituted at various levels,
in the framework of the
Association Council.

including the ministerial

level,

In the meantime, an ad hoc political dialogue is already in progress with Algeria. The next ministerial-level
meeting of this dialogue is scheduled to take place in Brussels in mid-November 2001. This dialogue, in
which the Commission takes part, will enable the EU to discuss the political situation in Algeria and
respect
treatment of
demonstrators in Kabylie and the resurgence of terrorism.

liberties, with particular reference to the violent

for human rights and civil

(2002/C 93 E/155)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2435/01

by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission

(3 September 2001)

Subject: Veterinary checks at external borders for foot and mouth disease

It is generally assumed that the illegal import of meat into the United Kingdom from a country outside the
EU was the cause of the recent outbreaks of mouth disease, in the UK and in other EU Member States.

Can the Commission say what measures it has taken together with the Member States to strengthen checks
at external frontiers and what the differences are compared with the situation before the wave of recent
outbreaks?

If the answer to the above question is yes, can the Commission say how much the relevant measures have
cost and who is meeting these costs?