WRITTEN QUESTION E-2492/01 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Council. Corruption.
Date: 2001-09-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: agreement (EU), corruption, governance, the EU's international role, third country, use of aid

18.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/143

In respect of the energy situation in China, it is true that over the last few years China has reduced its
emissions substantially. However, such reductions were mainly achieved by closing down some old and
very inefficient power generation plants and replacing them with new and more efficient power generation
facilities. It should also be mentioned that China had been relying on coal for about 80 % of its energy
balance. As a comparison, the current contribution of coal to the Community’s energy balance is around
15 %.

In conclusion, during the last few years the amount of financial support for energy technology has been
redirected towards renewable energy sources. When allocating the residual support to fossil fuels, priority
was given to projects that reduce the environmental impact of the use of fossil fuels. The Commission is
committed to the promotion of renewable energy sources, not only through programmes for the financial
support of such sources, but also through appropriate policy measures such as the recently approved
directive for the promotion of electricity produced from renewable energy sources (1).

(1) 2001/77/EC.

(2002/C 93 E/172)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2492/01

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Council

(14 September 2001)

Subject: Corruption

Would the Council outline what steps it has taken to implement the commitment made at the Africa-
Europe Cairo Summit, in April 2000, to ‘take necessary measures to combat corruption … and to ensure
that illegally acquired public moneys lodged in foreign bank accounts are investigated and returned to the
countries of origin’?

Reply

(10 December 2001)

The fight against corruption and the promotion of good governance constitute fundamental components
of the Union’s policy vis-à-vis its partners in Africa and elsewhere in the world. That policy is implemented
in particular through a number of agreements which the Union has concluded with third countries,
including the Cotonou Agreement with the ACP countries and through specific assistance programmes
financed by the Community aimed at strengthening the institutional capacities of the countries concerned.

As regards the question of illegally acquired public funds lodged in foreign banks, the Council gives a
reminder that the commitments entered into at the Africa-Europe Summit held in Cairo in April 2000
concern not only the institutions which took part in that summit but also the governments of states
represented at it. Therefore, taking account of the nature of the questions to be resolved, the Council
considers that at this stage bilateral cooperation between the States concerned seems to be the most
promising manner of tackling specific problems which may arise in this context.

Moreover, the Council draws attention to the fact that the EU-Africa Ministerial Conference in Brussels on
11 October 2001 will review progress reached in the discussions on all questions covered by the Cairo
Plan of Action, including those raised by the Honourable Member.