WRITTEN QUESTION E-3550/01 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Council. Conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Date: 2002-01-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Israel, Palestine question, UNO, United States, establishment of peace, international cooperation, the EU's international role, third country

26.9.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 229 E/31

(2002/C 229 E/031)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3536/01

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Killing of migratory birds on Cyprus

When did the Commission last raise with the Cypriot authorities the issue of the capture in nets and
subsequent killing of migratory birds, and what was the response? When will the Commission next be
raising this issue?

Was the matter discussed at the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention of 26-
30 November? If so, what representations were made by the Commission, and what was the outcome of
the meeting?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 2002)

Under the terms of the chapter of the enlargement negotiations relating to the environment, Cyprus has
undertaken to implement the environmental acquis relating to nature protection and this includes the Birds
Directive, Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (1).

The issue of the capture in nets and subsequent killing of migratory birds has been raised with the Cypriot
authorities on a number of occasions over the last year, notably at the Standing Committee of the Bern
Convention in November 2001 as well as at an international congress on wildlife game management held
in Cyprus in September 2001. There has also been written communication with the Cyprus authorities on
the issue.

The Cyprus authorities have informed the Commission that they recognise the problem referred to by the
Honourable Member as an issue of major concern and agree the need for more stringent enforcement
measures. They have informed the Commission that they are also taking action regarding restaurants and
places where these protected species are illegally sold. The Commission has been informed that the
authorities will be making further efforts in 2002 in an attempt to fully eliminate this activity and
especially to influence the attitude of citizens. In the new legislation that will harmonise Cypriot law with
the environmental acquis there are provisions on hunter education. The Commission will continue to
monitor developments on this issue.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(2002/C 229 E/032)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3550/01

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Council

Subject: Conflict between Israel and Palestine

(8 January 2002)

In view of the worsening conflict between Israel and Palestine, will the Council launch any political action,
together with the US, which could be a decisive factor in securing peace and safeguarding the future
existence of the two states?

Reply

(25 June 2002)

The European Council of Laeken (14 and 15 December 2001) issued a comprehensive declaration setting
out the principles underlying the course of action which the EU resolutely continues to pursue, with a
view to finding a political solution to the situation in the Middle East. In the light of the recent escalation
of violence, the validity of that declaration was reaffirmed on 28 January 2002 by the Council, which has
since been keeping a very close eye on developments in that region at all times.

C 229 E/32

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

26.9.2002

The European Council meeting in Barcelona on 15 and 16 March 2002 adopted a declaration on the
Middle East clearly setting out the Union position. Following the hastening of events since then, the
Foreign Affairs Ministers of the Union held a special meeting in Luxembourg on 3 April 2002 which
ended with the reaffirmation of the principles outlined at Barcelona and the decision to send a high-level
mission composed of Mr Picque and Mr Solana to carry the Union’s message containing, in particular, an
appeal for the full and immediate implementation of UN/Security Council Resolution 1402.

The EU is, of course, aware that its action cannot be effective if undertaken in isolation and avails itself of
every opportunity to push for progress through dialogue and cooperation with the other main players. The
EU is convinced that resolute and concerted action by the European Union, the United Nations, the
United States, the Russian Federation and the Arab countries most concerned is essential and urgent to
help reopen the way to political negotiations.

(2002/C 229 E/033)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3562/01

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Council

(9 January 2002)

Subject: State of the European shipbuilding industry

On 5 December the Council of Industry Ministers failed to agree a common position on the temporary aid
to be granted to the European shipbuilding industry in order to enable it to withstand the unfair
competition being practised by South Korea. Such competition has a detrimental effect on the industry,
which, unless the situation changes, is likely to see many of its constituent companies go out of business.

Can the Council answer the following questions:

B What further measures is it now intending to adopt in order to enable additional action to be taken

against unfair competition from South Korea?

B How is it intending to address the current state of affairs and enhance the competitiveness of the

European shipbuilding industry?

Reply

(25 June 2002)

The Honourable Member rightly points out in his question that the majority necessary for political
agreement on the adoption of the proposal for a Regulation concerning a temporary defensive mechanism
for shipbuilding was not reached in the Council at its meeting on 4 and 5 December 2001. The
Commission stood by its dual strategy which consists of lodging a complaint with the WTO against the
Republic of Korea only if at the same time the complaint is accompanied by a temporary defensive
mechanism to benefit shipbuilding sectors which have manifestly been caused damage.

The Commission was invited to consider the elements of a strategy to remedy the specific problems
encountered by the shipbuilding sector.

Concluding its discussion, the Council agreed to return to this dossier at a future meeting.