WRITTEN QUESTION E-0370/02 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Improving the coordination of the Northern Dimension with the sixth Framework Programme on Research and Development.
Date: 2002-02-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, Northern Europe, Russia, regional development, research and development, scientific cooperation, technical cooperation

C 229 E/80

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

26.9.2002

Reply

(26 June 2002)

The Council would inform the Honourable Member that the organisation of such a service does not come
within its sphere of competence.

(2002/C 229 E/088)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0363/02

by Eurig Wyn (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(22 February 2002)

Subject: Human rights issues in Vietnam

People of faith in Vietnam are suffering oppression by State authorities. Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang, who
chairs the Administrative Committee of the Vietnamese Evangelical Mennonite denomination and runs
many projects to help the poor and destitute, has been subjected to frequent intimidation and persecution.
This is an attempt by the State authorities to dissuade the Pastor and his groups from conducting both
religious and social activities.

In October 2001 Pastor Quang was given an ultimatum to cease his church activities out of his home/
centre in Binh Khanh ward of Ho Chi Minh City.

Will the Council agree that in light of this, Article 18 of the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights And
The International Covenant On Civil And Political Rights, giving citizens the right to enjoy the basic rights
of human freedom of religion, expression and association are not being respected?

Will the Council therefore agree that steps should be taken to ensure that every Vietnamese citizen can
expect to enjoy these basic human rights?

Reply

(25 June 2002)

The Council would refer the Honourable Member to its reply to question E-0145/02 put by Christine De
Veyrac,
in
particular in the case of Vietnam.

in which it reiterated its position of principle as regards respect for the rights concerned,

Furthermore, the Council informs the Honourable Member that the EU Human Rights Working Group
based in Hanoi raised Pastor Quang’s case with the Vietnamese government on 5 March at its official
dialogue on human rights meeting.

(2002/C 229 E/089)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0370/02

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 February 2002)

Subject: Improving the coordination of the Northern Dimension with the sixth Framework Programme on

Research and Development

The maintenance of the balance of the EU’s regional development calls for equal investment in all EU
regions. The Northern Dimension is an important political initiative for the promotion of cooperation
between the EU’s northern areas and the states in the Baltic Sea region. In order to obtain the greatest
benefit, the EU’s various programmes should work together more effectively with one another.

What measures does the Commission propose to take to improve coordination between the Northern
Dimension initiative and existing EU programmes, particularly the 6th Framework Programme on
Research and Development?

26.9.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 229 E/81

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2002)

The Union Framework Programmes for Research and Development (FP) aim to strengthen the scientific
and technological bases of Community industry and to provide the necessary scientific support to other
Union policies. All the Nordic countries participate in the FP, since they are either Member States or
associated states (Iceland and Norway) In addition, the three Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania)
also participate as associated states, and a scientific and technological cooperation exists with Russia.

In this context, the fifth FP foresaw a series of actions which covered scientific problems typical of the
areas addressed nowadays by the Northern Dimension (e.g.
the 1999 Copernicus call related to
environmental problems of the Arctic region: 13 projects were retained for a global financial support of
€ 7 million; 17 projects have been supported by the International Association for the promotion of co-
operation with scientists from the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union (INTAS) with € 1,2
million; other projects have been supported by the Environment programme G NICE (atmospheric
composition), Tundra (ecosystems), IMSI (earth observation by satellite) G and in the field of nuclear
fission and radiation protection).

A similar attitude will be taken within the next FP. Important neighbouring countries like the Russian
Federation will be allowed to participate in the projects under the thematic priorities of the sixth FP with
the possibility of financial support. On top of that, specific international cooperation activities in favour of
Russia are envisaged. Thus, an extremely wide range of Research and Technological Development (RTD)
co-operation activites will be open to scientific consortia wishing to investigate problems typical of the
area.

(2002/C 229 E/090)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0372/02

by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 February 2002)

Subject: Contracts between the company Arthur Andersen and the Commission

One of the incredible details emerging from the shocking Enron scandal is the claim that one reason why
the bankruptcy was not reported earlier was that the auditing firm Arthur Andersen did not notice the
gaps in the accounts.

However we look at it, whether Arthur Andersen was guilty of complicity or ineptitude in the Enron affair,
it is clearly unreliable.

Can the Commission say whether Arthur Andersen has had contracts with the Commission in the

1.
past?

In view of the situation, does the Commission not consider that work done by the company should

2.
be checked to ascertain whether it was carried out properly?

3.

Does the Commission currently have any contracts with Arthur Andersen?

If so, does the Commission not consider that the work should be entrusted to other companies

4.
proven to be more reliable?

5.

Does the Commission intend to use the dubious services of Arthur Andersen in future?