WRITTEN QUESTION E-2898/01 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Economic cooperation with Pakistan.
Date: 2001-10-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, Pakistan, economic cooperation, international negotiations, terrorism, the EU's international role

C 160 E/46

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.7.2002

The profession in every Member State is indeed currently preparing itself to the switch-over to IAS.
Accounting professional bodies, be they at regional or national level, are already setting up substantial
training programmes for their members. Although the adoption of IAS implies a non-negligible training
investment, it is important to recall that it will only be immediately relevant to those professionals who
already have to deal with the complex task of preparing consolidated accounts and are therefore already
equipped to evolve in a sophisticated accounting and financial reporting environment. As for those
professionals dealing primarily with small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), as stated above, it will be
for Member States to decide whether they want to extend the obligation to apply IAS to SMEs. In any case,
this process will be gradual and will
leave enough time for the professionals concerned to prepare
progressively and to adapt to a new environment, as they have successfully managed previously.

To maximise the time available for this transition, the Commission urges the adoption of the proposed
Regulation as soon as possible.

(2002/C 160 E/051)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2898/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(22 October 2001)

Subject: Economic cooperation with Pakistan

The Afghan population is anxiously waiting to see what is to happen in their country, because of what the
Taliban regime and bin Laden’s terrorists have done. At the same time their hopes have been aroused
because the world is beginning to understand their plight. An agreement on the establishment of a
government of national unity in Afghanistan was recently initialled in Rome. At present Pakistan still
recognises the government of the Taliban and this situation continues despite the Pakistani Government’s
claims that it wants to cooperate in the fight against international terrorism.

In view of the grave international situation created by the assistance, including military aid, which Pakistan
has given the Taliban, can the Commission say what stage has been reached in the negotiations for
economic cooperation with Pakistan?

Has it made any existing or future European aid subject

1.
government to combat terrorism and the Taliban regime?

to an undertaking by the Pakistani

2. What instruments has it devised to verify this undertaking?

Is it true that Pakistan still has military relations with representatives of the Taliban regime in the

3.
Kashmir region?

If so, what steps will the Commission take vis-à-vis the Pakistani Government with a view to

4.
effectively combating terrorism?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2001)

As the Honourable Member will be aware, the Extraordinary European Council Meeting of 21 September
2001 decided that the fight against terrorism will, more than ever, be a priority objective of the Union.
Furthermore the Council concluded that the fight against the scourge of terrorism will be more effective if
it is based on an in-depth political dialogue with those countries and regions of the world in which
terrorism originates.

Consequently the Council has decided to intensify the Union’s relations with countries neighbouring
Afghanistan in order to contribute to the stability of the region. It is envisaged to step up the political
dialogue with Pakistan. The Commission was asked to examine ways to reinforce Community’s assistance
to Pakistan, and has proposed new measures in the trade, development and humanitarian fields.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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Following Pakistan’s decision to side with the international coalition against terrorism, Pakistan has cut its
military relations with the Taliban. However, diplomatic relations continue, and the Taliban still maintain
an Embassy in Islamabad. There are radical Islamic groups based in Pakistan, some of whom sympathise
with the Taliban. The government of President Musharraf has embarked on a programme to strengthen the
law and order situation through an anti-terrorist ordinance and deweaponisation measures.

In order to effectively combat terrorism, the Commission has already taken several concrete measures,
including the proposal for a Council Regulation (1) to freeze funds held by 27 organisations and individuals
suspected of supporting or financing terrorist activities and the preparation of a Commission Regulation to
freeze funds held by individuals identified by the United Nations (UN) sanctions committee in the
framework of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1267. However, a medium-term
counter terrorism agenda will have to address causes of extremism and radicalisation, which in the case of
Pakistan include the economic crisis, the failure to maintain quality social services and growing poverty.
The Commission aims to address these problems through its support strategy for Pakistan, including the
use of trade measures and external assistance programmes.

(1) COM(2001) 569 final.

(2002/C 160 E/052)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2912/01

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Subject: Cluster bombs

Does the Commission have any view on the proposed new international law which will require users of
cluster bombs to clear up unexploded bomblets, and does it support a freeze on the use, manufacture and
export of cluster bombs until such a law is introduced?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 2001)

A number of studies on the issue of cluster bombs show that no less then 10 % of delivered cluster
bomblets fail to explode on impact and that the unexploded ones tend to have effects similar to the anti-
personnel landmines (APL); this means that they also are victim-activated and provoke fatal or disabling
injuries as serious as those caused by APL.

The Commission is aware of the particular suffering caused by unexploded cluster bombs years after
conflicts have ended.

The Commission has also taken due note of the proposal submitted by the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC)
the United Nations (UN) Convention on
prohibitions or restrictions on the use of certain conventional weapons which may be deemed to be
excessively injurious or to have indiscriminate effects (CCW) to address the problems caused by cluster
bombs and other ‘explosive remnants of war’ (ERW).

to the upcoming review conference of

At the Review Conference which will meet in Geneva, Switzerland, 11 to 21 December 2001, the Union is
expected to present a common position on the issue of the unexploded remnants of war requesting a
higher level of commitment by the international community. The Union is indeed particularly concerned
by the humanitarian and social problems caused by a variety of un-exploded munitions.