WRITTEN QUESTION E-2655/01 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Council. Reconsideration of the EU's foreign policy.
Date: 2001-10-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Afghanistan, EU aid, European Union, Pakistan, Western Balkans, aid system, democratisation, extremism, foreign policy, war damage

20.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/35

(2002/C 147 E/033)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2652/01

by Frank Vanhecke (NI) to the Commission

(1 October 2001)

Subject: European arrest warrant

For some time, there has been much speculation within the European Union concerning the introduction
of a European arrest warrant. The recent attacks in the United States and the possible involvement of
accomplices residing within the EU ’ particularly in Hamburg ’ make this very topical.

Does the Commission believe it would be possible and desirable to have a European arrest warrant
introduced via Europol in the near future?

If so, and in view of the urgency of the matter, how soon is this likely to be possible?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-2651/01 and E-2652/01
given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2001)

The Commission has presented its Proposal for a Council Framework Decision on the European arrest
warrant and the surrender procedures (1) between the Member States of 19 September 2001.

The legal basis of that proposal is Article 31 b and Article 34(2) b of the Treaty on the European Union.
The Commission also recalls that the 1999 Presidency Conclusions of the Tampere European Council
refers to the principle of mutual recognition and the abolition of the formal extradition procedure between
the Member States.

The Commission’s intention with the proposal is to replace the current extradition system by an entirely
judicial procedure for surrender.

The Commission’s proposal does not foresee a role for Europol in that procedure.

(1) COM(2001) 522 final.

(2002/C 147 E/034)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2655/01

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Council

(3 October 2001)

Subject: Reconsideration of the EU’s foreign policy

According to information so far made public by the American authorities, Muslim extremists led by bin
Laden are implicated in the terrorist attack on the USA, while Afghanistan’s Islamic leadership is accused
of providing him with support. It is worth noting that in the past information has been published in the
European press concerning the involvement of bin Laden’s followers in the Bosnian war, while Muslim
extremists also participated in the conflict in Kosovo in 1999. It should be remembered that many EU
countries helped the Bosnians and the Kosovans both militarily and politically in their conflict with the
Serbs.

Does the EU intend to reconsider the policy of support which it has given to Muslim extremist cells in the
Balkans? Does it consider that the USA’s planned retaliation is placing EU countries in danger? Can
accurate figures be provided for the total humanitarian aid given by the EU to Pakistan and Afghanistan
during the last five years?

C 147 E/36

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

Reply

(1 March 2002)

The Council’s approach to support for the Balkan countries has always been very clear, and it has
repeatedly expressed its utter condemnation of all forms of fanaticism and extremism which have emerged
in the past and which may unfortunately still be a feature of certain parts of the region. It therefore
considers that the Honourable Member’s claims of so-called ‘support … given to Muslim extremist cells in
the Balkans …’ to be totally unfounded.

The European Union’s aid for reconstruction in the Balkans is generous: EUR 4 650 million for the period
2000/2006 to rebuild the infrastructure and the economy of a region that has been severely weakened by
ten years of war and local crises, with the longer term aim of creating an area of stability and economic
growth in the Balkans so that the region can be brought closer to Europe. The European Union’s action is
also intended to encourage and strengthen the democratic and moderate regimes that have been
established in the region.

The Council would also remind the Honourable Member of the Common Position (Article J.2 of the TEU)
which it adopted in February 1996 and which imposes an embargo on all forms of arms exports to all the
countries of the former Yugoslavia (including Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo). Since 1998, the Council
has progressively lifted that embargo in respect of most countries of the former Yugoslavia (the most
in October 2001), with the exception of Bosnia-
recent being the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,
Herzegovina, for which the embargo remains in force. Finally, with regard to Kosovo, you are reminded
that its civil administration is under the control of the United Nations, while security and military matters
are under strict NATO control.

As regards the Community assistance,
Council can provide the Honourable MEP with the following information for the period 1997-2001:

including humanitarian aid, for Pakistan and Afghanistan, the

Commitments of Community aid to Pakistan
for development and economic cooperation
over the last five years amount to:

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

(€ million)

22,5

71,0

None

10,0

None so far

Total:

103,5

In recognition of Pakistan’s role in support of the international coalition against terrorism, and provided
that Pakistan follows the roadmap to democracy which it has established for itself, the Council, however,
envisages further measures in support for this country. Pakistan can also benefit under decentralized
regional projects, on the basis of calls for proposals.

Humanitarian aid for Pakistan and Afghanistan
for the period 1997-2001

(€ million)

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

(1)

Including € 37 million as yet not committed.

Total:

33,0

38,0

33,7

37,6

101,9 (1)

244,2

20.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/37

The total amount of EU humanitarian aid for Afghanistan for 2001 amounts (as of late October) to some
€ 330 million, which makes Europe one of the most important donors to the region. (EC: ECHO more
than € 50 million, food aid € 28 million, aid to uprooted people € 22,5 million; Member States: pledges
and commitments to NGOs and UN agencies of some € 230 million.)

The Council
is constantly reviewing the situation regarding the military operations which began on
7 October. Generally speaking, the Council has agreed that the attitude of third countries towards the fight
against terrorism will clearly be taken into account in all aspects of the EU’s policies towards those
countries.

(2002/C 147 E/035)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2658/01

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 October 2001)

Subject: TETRA radio masts

When will the Commission bring forward its review of safety regarding TETRA radio masts, first due to be
published in June of this year?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 2001)

On 12 July 1999, as part of its endeavours to protect the health of European citizens against the effects of
exposure to electromagnetic fields, the Council adopted a Recommendation on the limitation of exposure
of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz) (1). This Recommendation covers the
Tetra system, to which the Honourable Member refers.

The Commission would like to draw the Honourable Member’s attention to Community legislation in
ensuring that products like Tetra base stations and Tetra mobile phones are safe. In order to comply with
this legislation (Directive 1999/5/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 1999 on radio
equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity (2)
and Council Directive 73/23/EEC of 19 February 1973 on the harmonisation of the laws of Member States
relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (3)), manufacturers need to
ensure that products comply with strict safety standards following the latest scientific advice such as laid
down in the Council Recommendation.

The Commission also asked the Scientific Committee on Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and the Environment
technologies using
to deliver a new opinion on the on the risks related to the development of
electromagnetic radiation. In its opinion published on 30 November, the Committee confirmed that:

the additional information that has become available on carcinogenic and other non-thermal effects of
radiofrequency and microwave frequencies in the last years does not justify a revision of exposure
limits set by the Commission on the basis of the 1998 opinion of the Scientific Steering Committee.

In line with this opinion, any additional measures regarding the Tetra system should be taken by Member
States’ relevant authorities.

(1) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.
(2) OJ L 91, 7.4.1999.
(3) OJ L 77, 26.3.1973.