WRITTEN QUESTION E-3058/01 by Vincenzo Lavarra (PSE) and Giovanni Pittella (PSE) to the Commission. Request for extension of the deadline for completion of multi-regional operational programmes.
Date: 2001-11-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, derogation from EU law, forestry policy, operational programme, regional farm policy

C 147 E/82

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

At the Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the 4th Geneva Convention on 5 December 2001,
the Union reaffirmed the universality of the Convention and emphasised that there can be no ambiguity
about the fact that international humanitarian law must be respected by all the parties involved in an
armed conflict.

(2002/C 147 E/086)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3054/01

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council

(5 November 2001)

Subject: Sectarian riots in Nigeria

In the wake of the American air raids on Afghanistan at least 200 persons have been killed over the last
few days in sectarian riots in northern Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are leaving the region owing to the
activities of gangs of Muslim fighters.

What measures does the Council intend to take to help put an end to these sectarian killings of civilians?
Does it intend to assist the Nigerian Government to address the current crisis and to give humanitarian aid
to the civilians who are forced to abandon their homes?

Reply

(18 March 2002)

The Council is greatly concerned over the recent killings in northern Nigeria. In its view, a global approach
is needed if a lasting solution is to be found for the social, ethnic and religious clashes which are a
frequent occurrence in that country. The Council has, therefore, adopted a common position on Nigeria (1)
whereby the European Union will support action aimed particularly at consolidating democracy and
institutional reform and sustainable economic and social
respect for human rights, reducing poverty,
development. The EU also maintains a close and regular political dialogue with Nigeria. The EU Heads of
Mission, who are primarily responsible for the conduct of such dialogue, will raise the question of the
recent killings in northern Nigeria and the reaction of the security forces at their next meeting with the
Nigerian authorities.

(1) Common position 2001/373/PESC, OJ L 132, 15.5.2001.

(2002/C 147 E/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3058/01

by Vincenzo Lavarra (PSE) and Giovanni Pittella (PSE) to the Commission

(5 November 2001)

Subject: Request for extension of the deadline for completion of multi-regional operational programmes

Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/93 (1) and subsequent decisions relating to it are about to expire, and
the benefits deriving from the Regulation will come to an end as of 31 December 2001. In the context of
the Community support framework concerning Objective 1 regions for the period 1994-1999, the Italian
Ministry for Agricultural and Forestry Policy is responsible for programming and managing two multi-
regional operational programmes. The implementation of the two programmes, the completion of which is
of vital strategic importance for Italy, has been subject to substantial delays because of unforeseen
problems emerging over the years (slow bureaucratic procedures, the BSE crisis and foot-and-mouth, the
demoralisation of farmers, the slowness of markets, etc.). For these reasons the Ministry has requested an
extension of the time limit for the completion of the programmes.

20.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/83

the above and the fact

that both the programmes are at an important stage in their
In view of
implementation and in order to prevent the deadline of 31 December this year from invalidating the work
done so far, can the Commission grant an extension of at least 12 months, in order to help remedy the
situation outlined above?

(1) OJ L 193, 31.7.1993, p. 5.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2001)

The Honourable Members ask about an application to extend the time limit for national execution of
expenditure on two multiregional operational programmes (MOPs) managed by the Ministry for
Agricultural and Forestry Policy (MIPAF) and part-financed by the EAGGF Guidance Section under the
Community Support Framework (CSF) for Italian Objective 1 regions for 1994-1999. The MOPs involved
concern services for the commercial exploitation of agricultural products from southern Italy and support
activities for services involved in agricultural development.

On the issue of whether such an extension is possible, it should be borne in mind that the Commission is
responsible for the execution of
the European Union and accordingly must ensure
compliance with the rules in force and all decisions taken.

the budget of

The Commission considers that an extension of a programme can be entertained only in cases of force
majeure such as large-scale disasters, and cases treated in the same way as force majeure, which have far-
reaching consequences for the implementation of aid/assistance granted by the Structural Funds, or in the
event of a clearly identified mistake, including all technical errors, for which the Commission itself is
responsible. Since these conditions have not been met, the Commission has been unable to grant the
request of the Italian authorities for an extension of the two programmes in question.

Regarding the arguments advanced by the Honourable Members, the Commission is of the opinion that
the conditions referred to above are not met either. As a consequence, the Commission cannot grant the
requested 12-month extension for the two programmes managed by MIPAF.

(2002/C 147 E/088)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3060/01

by Pere Esteve (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 November 2001)

Subject: Incorrect designation of the Balearic Islands (Illes Balears)

The name of the Spanish province formerly known [in Spanish] as Baleares [the Balearic Islands] was
officially changed to [the Catalan name] Illes Balears by the Spanish government by means of Law No 13/
1997 of 25 April 1997, as published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado [the official journal of the Spanish
state], No 100, on 26 April 1997.

The single article of this law states that ‘the province hitherto known as Baleares shall henceforth be
officially called Illes Balears, in keeping with its cultural and historical tradition and in order to bring its
name into line with that of the corresponding autonomous region’. The single implementing provision of
the same law adds that it ‘shall come into force on the day following its publication in the Boletín Oficial
del Estado’.

The European Commission is systematically failing to implement this law, which forms part of the juridical
order of the Spanish state. It habitually calls the Illes Balears ‘Baleares’ or ‘Islas Baleares’, in the maps it
publishes and in its documents, and has done the same in its replies to the questions asked by the author
of the present question in relation to this autonomous region.

In general,
European Union.

it is the Commission’s habit to use the official names of other regions and cities of the