WRITTEN QUESTION E-3698/01 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Council. Development of democracy in Belarus.
Date: 2002-01-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Belarus, EU relations, common foreign and security policy, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, political situation, suspension of aid

C 205 E/54

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.8.2002

Following an appropriate examination during which, among others things, the cost of the project and
the development needs of the area of the project were examined, the proposal was adopted officially
by the Monitoring Committee during its 1st meeting, on 8 December 1995, with a budget of € 5 664
million. During its 3rd meeting, on 15 September 1999, following a proper hearing and examination
of all facts and supporting documents, the Monitoring Committee approved the final budget of the
project at the amount of € 7 769 million. The physical scope of the project was not reduced. The
Community share of the total cost of the project is 75 %.

2. A whole series of controls was carried out by the Greek authorities, as provided for by the Greek

legislation on public works.

3. The environmental studies and environmental terms are not examined by the Commission, unless a
specific reason occurs (i.e. complaint). Thus in this particular case, no examination of the details of the
environmental study has been carried out, nor has a supplementary environmental study been
provided. If evidence is brought of non compliance with the environmental terms or of insufficient
environmental protection further to expansion of the project, the Commission could examine the case
in more detail.

4. The Commission was a member and participated in the works of the CI Monitoring Committee.
During the official meetings, it received information on the progress of the implementation of the
projects. According to this information, the preparation and execution of this project complied with
Community and national law.

5. Any control before the final delivery of the project is the competence and responsibility of the
national authorities. Financial and on-site controls by the Community of co-financed projects are
being performed through procedures provided for in the Structural Funds’ Regulations (1).

(1) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2082/93 of 20 July 1993 amending Regulation (EEC) No 4253/88 laying down
provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards co-ordination of the activities of the different
Structural Funds between themselves and with the operations of the European Investment Bank and the other
existing financial
instruments, OJ L 193, 31.7.1993; Council Regulation (EEC) No 2083/93 of 20 July 1993
amending Regulation (EEC) No 4254/88 laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as
regards the European Regional Development Fund, OJ L 193, 31.7.1993.

(2002/C 205 E/057)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3698/01

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(17 January 2002)

Subject: Development of democracy in Belarus

Following the latest presidential election in Belarus, in September 2001, the situation as regards political
democracy there can only be described as disastrous. Belarus is the only blank space on the map of Europe
where, from a formal point of view, there is no political democracy with free elections, freedom of
expression and freedom of the press.

How does the Council assess the situation in Belarus now, and how can the European Union support the
development of the opposition’s democratic role in forming opinions in Belarus?

Reply

(13 May 2002)

1.
The Council remains seriously concerned at the situation in Belarus. The Presidential elections last
September were not held according to OSCE norms and standards. Numerous irregularities concerning the
treatment of the opposition, independent media and NGOs were noted. In addition, Mr Lukashenko has
been increasing pressure on the opposition since the elections and a number of leading personalities in
Belarus have been imprisoned.

29.8.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 205 E/55

In the light of these developments, the Council considers that the restrictions in EU-Belarus relations
2.
imposed by the GAC conclusions of September 1997 remain entirely valid. Ministerial contacts are
restricted to the Presidency and the Troika. EU assistance has been halted, except for humanitarian and
regional projects or those in support of the democratisation process.

3.
The EU has used its contacts with the authorities to push for progress in human rights, notably the
cases of Mr Bandazhevsky and Mr Klimov, as well as in the access of the opposition to mass media. The
EU has also pressed for a fast resolution of the question of the OSCE Assistance and Monitoring Group
(AMG) mandate and the nomination of the new AMG Head. Moreover, the EU stressed the urgency to
adopt the new laws on the Ombudsman and on increasing the powers of parliament. In parallel to the
meetings with the authorities, the EU also had direct contacts with representative of the opposition in
Belarus.

The EU is supporting the democratisation process through instruments such as TACIS and the Cross
4.
Border Cooperation Programme. A number of projects have been identified under the European Initiative
for Democracy and Human Rights. Civil society is the main target of EU assistance, which is also
supporting OSCE efforts in Belarus.

The Council is currently reflecting on the EU’s policy towards Belarus, including on how to increase

5.
the efficiency of its assistance for democratic transition.

(2002/C 205 E/058)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3701/01

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(17 January 2002)

Subject: Renewal of the EU-Pakistan cooperation agreement

Chancellor Schröder of Germany visited Pakistan at the end of October 2001, when he is said to have
promised that the cooperation agreement with Pakistan would be renewed (it had been frozen when
President Musharraf seized power). Pursuant to one proposal, Pakistan is clearly already to be allowed to
start exporting textile goods to the European Union without quotas.

Can the Commission explain what the current situation is with regard to the cooperation agreement with
Pakistan and what changes are to be made as regards trade between the Union and Pakistan?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(15 February 2002)

A 3rd generation Co-operation Agreement between the Community and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
was signed in Islamabad on 24 November 2001 by President Musharraf, Prime Minister Verhofstadt and
the President of the Commission. The new Agreement substantially enlarges the scope for co-operation
between the two Parties, not only in the traditional areas of commercial, economic and development co-
operation, but for new important fields, including the environment, industry and services, science and
technology, regional co-operation, as well as drugs and money laundering. The Agreement is not linked
with a financing protocol.

It will still take a few more weeks before the Agreement enters into force, as the two Parties have to
complete some necessary procedures. There is no direct link between signature of the Agreement and the
trade measures which the Honourable Member is referring to. The latter were proposed by the
Commission and agreed by the Council in response to the crisis in the region surrounding Afghanistan.