WRITTEN QUESTION E-0015/02 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. EU Development Project Money.
Date: 2002-01-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, anti-discriminatory measure, developing countries, development aid, disabled person, integration of people with disabilities

C 229 E/50

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

26.9.2002

Is the Commission prepared to arrange for the commitment of EU funds to the development of the
5.
abovementioned transport facilities in and around Gaza in order to make it clear to everyone that
temporary obstacles will not lead to cancellation of the plans, and to encourage the Member States to do
the same?

Source: De Volkskrant of 5 December 2001.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2002)

The Commission is aware of the fact that the Gaza Strip’s main supply routes are through Israeli

1.
controlled seaports, airports, and border crossings with Egypt.

2.
The Commission agrees that having access to its own airport and harbour would be a substantial
contribution to building a viable Palestinian economy. The Union, with the encouragement of Israeli
leaders like Shimon Peres, has been providing substantial support to the construction of such facilities.

3.
The Commission regrets that the work on the Gaza seaport was stopped, particularly as the
Commission had already engaged in negotiations with the Palestinian Authority on the funding of training
for future port officials, and providing equipment for the port operation.

4.
Given the unpredictability of the situation on the ground and given the fact that the Gaza airport has
been destroyed by Israeli military forces, and the construction of the Gaza seaport is stopped, it is not
possible to give any estimation on the time needed to render both projects operational. Any chances to
resume both operations would depend on the political/security situation on the ground and the willingness
of the international donor community to re-invest in the destroyed projects.

5.
The Commission would be strongly in favour of an early reconstruction of the Gaza airport and
resumption of the construction of the Gaza seaport. The Commission would encourage the engagement of
the
the international donor community and particularly the Member States. At this stage however,
Commission is not in a position of announcing any financial contribution to either of the two projects.
The Commission would like to point out that its financial support to the Palestinian people has increased
substantially since the current crisis erupted in September 2000, and that Commission resources are
limited given the demands made on the Commission in other parts of the world.

(2002/C 229 E/053)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0015/02

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(21 January 2002)

Subject: EU Development Project Money

The British Government recently adopted the Issues Paper Disability, poverty and development which calls
for disabled people to be included in all overseas development work.

In the light of this and the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly Resolution on the rights of disabled
people and older people in ACP countries (ref. ACP-EU 3313/01/fin.) what plans does the Commission
have to adopt a similar approach?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2002)

Disability must be mainstreamed into all development work in order to integrate people with disabilities in
developing countries. New approaches at country level such as poverty reduction strategy processes are
increasing the voice and participation of civil society groups,
including those that represent disabled
in the development of national policies. The Community will continue to fund the work of
people,

26.9.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 229 E/51

organisations that support people with disabilities with a focus on capacity building and organisational
development of southern organisations. The focus will be to increase their input into development
programming to raise their profile, reduce stigma and increase awareness. The involvement of disabled
people in all phases of any programme designed to benefit them will be mandatory.

The Commission will circulate a guidance note on disability to all country offices on how to best
incorporate the needs of people with disabilities into future programming.

Action to reduce poverty, the core objective of Community development assistance, may also prevent
disability. The Community will continue to provide substantial support to the social sectors and will
maximise opportunities to link the prevention of disability to the rehabilitation and empowerment of
disabled people.

(2002/C 229 E/054)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0020/02

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(21 January 2002)

Subject: EU funding support for the Palestinian Authority

Is the Commission prepared to release information about the total cost of EU funding to date, which has
been given to support the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, based in Ramallah?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(22 February 2002)

The Community first committed funding, to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) in 1994,
with a € 1,4 million allocation towards capacity building and preparation of demographic surveys.

In 1999 a further € 2 million was committed, once again towards capacity building for the Palestinian
statistical system. The latter programme is ongoing. An additional € 0,3 million allocation is presently
under preparation in order to cover damages (to material and equipment) inflicted upon the PCBS on
5 December 2001 (Budget line B7-4200).

The PCBS is, moreover, a beneficiary of the regional statistical cooperation programme Medstat (MEDA
Funding), for the Mediterranean region, under the technical supervision of Eurostat. Medstat Phase I is
ongoing, while Medstat Phase II will be launched soon.

(2002/C 229 E/055)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0054/02

by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler (PSE) to the Commission

(24 January 2002)

Subject: Framework agreement between the Teutonic Order, DOH International division, and the

Commission

In March 1999, the Hospitalers of the Teutonic Order (DOH) International and the Commission signed an
initial contract for a framework agreement worth EUR 2,95 million to finance an aid programme in several
countries in Asia. This was reported in issue number 4/1999 of ‘DO aktuell’, the magazine of the Order’s