WRITTEN QUESTION E-2539/01 by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Council. Creation and staffing of police operations planning unit.
Date: 2001-09-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU police cooperation, police, public safety, recruitment

C 160 E/22

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.7.2002

The Commission is funding through the 2000 and 2001 pre-accession budgets the restoration of the
2.
old town of Nicosia, as part of the Nicosia Master Plan (in the area of Omeriye and of the Selimiye
mosque, and in the Phaneromeni and Samanbahce areas) on both sides of the ‘green line’. This ‘bi-
communal’ project is thus bringing together members of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities
working jointly in the revitalisation of the ancient walled City of Nicosia and the conservation of its
architectural and cultural heritage. The 2000 phase of the project has started on 1 October 2001.

(2002/C 160 E/023)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2539/01

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Council

(20 September 2001)

Subject: Creation and staffing of police operations planning unit

During the Swedish Presidency a decision was taken to create a separate police operations planning unit
(POPU) within the Council Secretariat, and general guidelines were agreed concerning the selection,
training and personal equipping of the police officers.

1. What are the Council’s proposals, under the current Belgian Presidency, for completing the formation
of the POPU?

2. Which specific criteria does the Council intend to lay down for the staffing and equipping of police
officers to be included in the unit?

In what form is the Council considering participation by third countries in the POPU and, similarly,

3.
how will it ensure that the EU retains independent decision-making powers?

4. What preconditions and criteria does the Council
countries in the POPU?

intend to apply to the participation of third

Reply

(25/26 March 2002)

1.
On 1 July 2001 a Police Unit was established in the Council Secretariat by the Secretary-General/
High Representative as part of the politico-military structures. Its mission is to give the EU the ability to
plan and conduct police operations. It consists at present of seven senior officers. Two are EU officials
selected by competition, five are national experts on secondment from Member States and/or under
exchange schemes. All are fully qualified policemen with international experience. The unit can be
reinforced in times of crisis with experts from Member States.

2.

The Unit’s priorities include:

< the Ministerial Police Commitment Conference;

< developing and implementing the Police Action Plan approved at Göteborg;

< iaising with the OSCE about possible EU involvement in the police aspects of the Framework
Agreement in FYROM. Until recently, a member of the Police Unit was seconded to the EUSR in
Skopje.

4.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 160 E/23

There is no question of third countries participating in the Police Unit any more than in any other
3.
part of the Council Secretariat. Cooperation with third countries < and international organisations, notably
the UN and OSCE < along with their possible participation in EU police operations is another matter and
is being developed as part of the EU’s development of its police capability.

(2002/C 160 E/024)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2572/01

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(21 September 2001)

Subject: Protection of designations of origin outside Community territory

‘Queijo de São Jorge’ cheese is the main product of the island of São Jorge and within the Community has
a protected designation of origin (PDO).

One of the most important markets for the cheese is North America, and there are increasing reports that
imitations are being manufactured in the United States.

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. Are PDO products protected outside the Community under WTO agreements?

2.

3.

If so, is the Commission responsible for enforcing that protection in relation to non-Community
countries?

Should the case arise, what evidence does the Commission consider necessary to enable it to take legal
action in the event of an infringement?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 2001)

Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs) belong to a wider category of geographical

1.
indications
defined under the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs-Agreement)
under the World Trade Organisation (WTO). To the extent that PDOs pertain, under Council Regulation
(EEC) No 2081/92 of 14 July 1992, on the protection of geographical indications and designations of
origin for agricultural products and foodstuff, to certain agricultural products and foodstuff other than
wines and spirits, the TRIPs Agreement obliges WTO Members to provide the means for PDO right-
holders to prevent certain uses of the protected names that may mislead the consumer. Likewise, the
registration of
It should be
trademarks that mislead the consumer vis-à-vis a PDO are prohibited.
nonetheless noted that the protection offered to Community PDOs or protected geographical indications
(GIs) under Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 is more stringent than that required under the TRIPs Agreement.
Consequently, Community GIs are protected in the Community beyond the minimum standards of the
TRIPs Agreement. The Commission is ready to assist any Community producers whose PDO or GIs are
adversely affected in any WTO Member.

Each WTO Member is responsible for ensuring that the level of GI protection required by the TRIPs
2.
Agreement is available to all legitimate GI right-holders in their territory. Accordingly; right-holders are
themselves responsible for the enforcement of their GI rights within each WTO Member’s administrative
and judicial system. The TRIPs Agreement, however, enables the WTO Members (including the European
Communities and their Member States) to monitor that other WTO Members’ legislation is in conformity
with the TRIPs Agreement.