WRITTEN QUESTION E-3326/01 by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. European Commission proposals to downsize its Delegation in Trinidad and Tobago.
Date: 2001-11-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Commission Delegation, European official, Trinidad and Tobago, job cuts, the EU's international role

18.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/37

authorities, on various occasions this year, that there is no terrorist or paramilitary activity on its territory.
Moreover, following the tragic events of 11 September 2001, Albania has shown full commitment in the
fight against terrorism, and has supported the United States and Union positions.

(2002/C 172 E/040)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3319/01

by Nirj Deva (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 November 2001)

Subject: Ian Stillman

Given the ongoing concerns about the case of Ian Stillman, a British charity worker who has been facing
trial in Shilma, India, a trial that has been delayed on numerous occasions, what has the Commission done
to apply pressure to the Indian Government so as to ensure this case is heard fairly and quickly?
Particularly in the light of the fact that that Mr Stillman is profoundly deaf and is one-legged. He has
recently been moved into a cell that is too small to fit his wheelchair.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(11 December 2001)

The Commission is aware of the case of Mr Ian Stillman, a disabled charity worker who has been
sentenced to ten years imprisonment in India. It fully shares the concerns of the honourable member over
the circumstances of his arrest and his detention conditions.

Before Mr Stillman’s appeal trial was due (on 24 September 2001), the Commission had, via its Delegation
in New Delhi, written to the Indian National Human Rights Commission for an update on his health and
detention conditions.

The Commission’s Delegation was informed that Mr Stillman’s case is being followed by M. S.C. Verma,
Registrar, who has contacted the District Magistrate of Nahan, the district where Mr Stillman is being
detained. A further update on his detention conditions is awaited.

The Commission has also discussed Mr Stillman’s case with representatives from the organisation ‘Fair
Trials Abroad’, who visited Brussels this September.

Now that the Indian authorities seem to have delayed the appeal, the Commission will contact the Indian
Human Rights Commission again and will continue to closely follow the developments in this case.

(2002/C 172 E/041)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3326/01

by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(30 November 2001)

Subject: European Commission proposals to downsize its Delegation in Trinidad and Tobago

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has been informed that, following a review and reassessment of
external representation, the European Commission proposes to downsize its representation in Port of
Spain. The government is concerned and feels penalised.

The assessment carried out by the Commission severely underestimated the Delegation’s workload,
focussing as it did on the criterion of ‘expenditure on national programmes’ as a performance measure,

C 172 E/38

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2002

thereby overlooking to broaden responsibilities for programmes under the Regional Indicative Programme
(CRIP). In the context of continued commitment to improve the utilisation of EDF resources, and as a
means of advancing the excellent working partnership built up over the years between the office of its
NAO and the Delegation, Trinidad and Tobago established, in March 2001, a Special EDF Unit within the
Ministry of Integrated Planning and Development with a dedicated contracted staff. Their experience leads
its minimum staff
them to conclude that since then,
requirements are one Ambassador and two Advisers. The maintenance of or increase in the Delegation’s
staff complement is even more necessary in view of the Commission’s decision to decentralise and entrust
its Delegation with enhanced decision-making responsibilities.

the Delegation is to be an effective partner,

The following facts are pertinent to the assessment under the second criterion of ‘political and economic
significance’. Trinidad and Tobago is the largest Cariforum importer and its second largest exporter. It is a
founder member of the ACS.
It hosts some fourteen international organisations and eight regional
organisations. Four EU Member States maintain resident missions in Port of Spain, while Trinidad and
Tobago maintains three resident missions in Europe. Location in Trinidad and Tobago affords ease of
communications, including air transport and telecommunications. Infrastructure and living conditions are
excellent.

In the light of the above, is it wise to downsize the European Commission representation in Port of Spain?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 2002)

The Commission decided on 3 July 2001 to further restructure its network of external representations by
the end of 2002. As a consequence of that decision, and reflecting the severe budgetary pressures under
which the External Service operates, the Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago will be headed by a non-
resident Head of Delegation. This decision covers aspects of the evolution of the Commission’s External
Service and many Delegations throughout the world are affected. They follow on from the reforms begun
in 1996 to rationalise the Commission’s external representation while at the same time maintaining the
broadest possible reach and ensuring the quality of its activities. Difficult decisions have had to taken to
streamline some Delegations and to close others. In the present tight financial climate this was the only
way for the Commission to respond to new pressures on its limited resources.

The Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago will remain in place manned by an official as chargé d’affaires with
his own local staff. This will enable it to follow, as today, the important issues of development co-
operation, political and economic matters, and trade. The Head of Delegation in Guyana will be also
accredited as non-resident Head of Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago. The Delegation in Guyana already
has a regional role with the capacity to deliver expertise within the region. Moreover the Delegation is to
be reinforced in order to better cope with new responsibility for Trinidad and Tobago.

(2002/C 172 E/042)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3327/01

by Vitaliano Gemelli (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 November 2001)

Subject: Eligibility of recreational vessels for excise allowances

A Community recreational vessel departs from a Community port, refuels en route (either in a non-
Community port or from a tanker vessel at sea) and then enters a Community port. In such a case, is the
excise allowance referred to in Article 1 of Directive 83/182/EEC (1) still applicable?

(1) OJ L 105, 23.4.1983, p. 59.