WRITTEN QUESTION E-3031/01 by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission. Clarification of the reply to Oral Question H-0751/01 concerning UNIDCP activities in Afghanistan.
Date: 2001-10-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Afghanistan, EU financing, EU programme, budget, drug traffic, fight against crime

18.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/23

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(17 December 2001)

The accession negotiations on agriculture, including the animal products sector, were opened in June 2000
with Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia and in June 2001 with Latvia,
Lithuania and Slovakia. The negotiation chapter on agriculture has not yet been opened with Bulgaria,
Malta and Romania. Romania has not yet presented its negotiation position on agriculture.

The Community’s negotiation Position on agriculture states that the reference quantity for milk must be
determined taking account of historical production figures during a reference period to be defined and the
need to avoid adding to Community market surpluses, having regard also to World Trade Organisation
(WTO) constraints. As regards the beefmeat sector it is further stated that ceilings must be determined on
the basis of the actual herd as well as slaughtering and live exports, specified in the relevant age groups
and cattle categories, during a reference period to be defined.

The Union has not yet taken a final position with regard to the above issues but has requested more
the period 1995-1999. The Commission’s
detailed information from the candidate countries
Enlargement Strategy Paper of November 2000 foresees that the agricultural
issues that have a major
impact on the Community budget, such as direct payments or quotas, should be addressed in the first half
of 2002.

for

(2002/C 172 E/024)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3031/01

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(30 October 2001)

Subject: Clarification of

the reply to Oral Question H-0751/01 concerning UNIDCP activities

in

Afghanistan

Further to the clarifications which it provided in its written reply of 2 October 2001 to Oral Question
H-0751/01 (1), to the effect that it has funded projects in Afghanistan, would the Commission now state:

1. what the objectives are, how many projects are involved and how much they are costing;

2. who has organised and implemented them; and

3.

under which budget heading they have been funded?

(1) Written answer of 2.10.2001.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2002)

The Community currently finances no project specifically related to the fight against drugs in Afghanistan.
Moreover, the Community is financing actions in favour of uprooted people in this country, on the credits
available under budget line B7-302, which can be of benefit to those populations suffering as result of the
poppy ban.

These actions, their location, their costs, as well as the organisations which carry them out, are displayed
in the table which is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat.

On the base of
the adoption of the Regulation 2130/2001 of 29 October 2001 of the European
Parliament and of the Council, on operations to aid uprooted people in Asian and Latin American

C 172 E/24

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2002

developing countries (1), new NGO projects in favour of the Afghan people totalling some € 20 million are
in the process of being decided by the Commission, to be financed on the resources of the same budget
line for 2001.

(1) OJ L 287, 31.10.2001.

(2002/C 172 E/025)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3039/01

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(30 October 2001)

Subject: Appeal to end bombing and send humanitarian aid

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, has warned of a new tragedy in
Afghanistan as a result of the constant bombing and the likelihood of mass slaughter in the feuding within
the country. Mrs Robinson also appealed for an end to the bombing to enable humanitarian aid to be sent
to the refugees on a massive scale.

What is the Commission’s position in regard to the UN High Commissioner’s warning and appeal?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2001)

The Union has noted the appeal for a bombing pause made by the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights.

After their meeting in Ghent on 19 October 2001, the Heads of Government of the Union and the
President of the Commission issued a declaration which set out Union support for the international
coalition’s objective of the elimination of the Al Quaida terrorist organisation.

The process of achieving this objective by military means is now in progress, through the targeted
elimination of Taliban and Al Quaida positions and assets. The Union believes that the international
coalition makes every effort to ensure that the effects of military action on civilians are minimised.

The Commission shares the concern expressed by others union actors about the humanitarian situation
inside Afghanistan and about the risk of food shortages in parts of the country as winter sets in. United
Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), with the assistance of neighbouring states
are making efforts to reach at risk groups in all parts of the country. Aid continues to be delivered through
dedicated and competent local staff remained in the country with a remote control from expatriates re-
located in neighbouring countries around Afghanistan. The Community through European Community’s
Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) has provided a further € 25 million for projects mainly inside the
country as the massive exodus towards neighbouring countries has not materialised as yet. Most projects
are directed to populations located in drought stricken areas as well as to Internally Displaced People
which already totalled 700 000 prior to 11 September 2001. This allocation comes on top of the 23,3
million € allocated by ECHO prior to the events for 2001. The total Community contribution to
Afghanistan through various budgetary lines comes to 100 million in 2001.

The Commission sees the provision of relief inside Afghanistan as the highest humanitarian priority in the
region. Consequently, it is vital that access for aid to all areas of the country is maintained and that
humanitarian assistance should be provided to crisis victims, wherever they are, on an impartial and
neutral basis.