WRITTEN QUESTION E-0358/02 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Council. Introduction of a Europe-wide voluntary auxiliary service.
Date: 2002-02-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, alternative service, environmental protection, first aid, social services

26.9.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 229 E/79

Can the Council say what specific agricultural and regional measures have been planned for this Year of
Mountains?

Can the Council also say whether there is a budget for these initiatives, and if so how large?

Reply

(27 June 2002)

For years, support for agriculture in mountainous regions has been a matter of constant interest and
concern for the Community. Already back in 1975 the Council adopted a Directive on mountain and hill
farming and farming in certain less-favoured areas which authorised the Member States to set up special
aid schemes, inter alia for mountain areas, to promote agricultural activities. Since then, mountain areas
have been an integral part of Community regulations on less-favoured areas.

More recently, in March 1999, the Berlin European Council set budgetary and policy guidelines for Agenda
2000, which created a second pillar for Common Agricultural Policy devoted to rural development. The
purpose of rural development policy is to set up a coherent and sustainable framework for the future of
rural areas. Second pillar principles are: multi-functionality, efficiency, decentralisation of responsibilities,
flexibility and a multi-sector approach.

Regulation No 1257/1999, adopted in May 1999, therefore replaced the existing regulations on rural
development. Chapter V focuses, inter alia, on less-favoured areas, including mountainous regions. Under
certain conditions, farmers in those areas are eligible for compensatory allowances, for example, for
applying good farming practices which are compatible with environmental protection.

It has been possible to include activities in mountain areas in the rural development programmes set up by
the Member States.

The Council has not received any proposals from the Commission for specific actions relating to the
International Year of Mountains.

Any initiative consisting of proposing activities or of organising seminars on mountain region economy is
obviously still possible and desirable, but it would not involve the Council as an institution.

(2002/C 229 E/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0358/02

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Council

(22 February 2002)

Subject: Introduction of a Europe-wide voluntary auxiliary service

Most Member States have abolished compulsory military service. It would therefore be sensible to consider
introducing Europe-wide auxiliary service for young men and women over 18, which would give them
basic training in first aid, social work, ecological work and handling weapons,
to give them an
understanding of how dangerous they are. This compulsory training could last two or three months and be
carried out in every EU country. Those taking part should also be able to help out in emergency situations
during this period.

Can the Council say whether it considers this proposal to be practicable and useful, and whether it intends
to introduce such a policy?

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?