WRITTEN QUESTION E-0714/02 by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Death of Jonas Savimbi.
Date: 2002-03-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Angola, EU relations, aid policy, establishment of peace, humanitarian aid, political situation, political violence

C 309 E/40

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.12.2002

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2002)

The Commission considers that Romania continues to fulfil the political accession criteria as defined by the
‘that the
Copenhagen European Council of 21 and 22 June 1993, and in particular the first criterion:
candidate country has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human
rights and respect for and protection of minorities’.

The Honourable Member will recall that the Union Heads of state and government invited Romania and
five other Candidate Countries to start negotiations on the occasion of the Helsinki European Council of
10 and 11 December 1999. In their conclusions they stated that ‘the European Council recalls that
compliance with the political criteria laid down at the Copenhagen European Council (of 21 and 22 June
1993)
is a prerequisite for the opening of accession negotiations and that compliance with all the
Copenhagen criteria is the basis for accession to the Union.’

The Commission is fully aware of the fact that Romania needs to continue to make progress in areas
falling under the political criteria and is following and assessing the situation closely, among others via its
yearly regular reports.

The conclusion that Romania continues to fulfil the political criteria is based on an assessment which takes
into consideration a number of different factors and developments in several different areas. One such area
of particular importance is the independence of the judiciary. It is true that in the 2001 Regular Report the
Commission indicates that additional reforms are still necessary and should include measures to further
guarantee the independence of the judiciary. However,
it should also be taken into account that the
Romanian authorities have identified the existing shortcomings and have taken commitments aiming at
strengthening the independence of the judiciary.

The Romanian authorities are thus currently engaged in a process of reform of the judiciary. From its side
the Commission continues to provide technical and financial assistance (notably through projects financed
under the PHARE programme) in order to support Romania in its efforts to strengthen the functioning of
its judicial system.

Negotiations on chapter 24 of the acquis ‘Cooperation in the fields of Justice and Home Affairs’ with
Romania are due to start soon. The functioning of the judiciary is one of the subjects that will be
addressed under this chapter.

The Commission considers this approach to be the best guarantee for a successful preparation of
Romania’s accession to the Union.

(2002/C 309 E/045)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0714/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 March 2002)

Subject: Death of Jonas Savimbi

Recent events in Angola, with the removal of Jonas Savimbi from the Angolan stage, could determine
future developments in the country ravaged by decades of warfare.

What is the Commission’s assessment of Mr Savimbi’s death, and what initiatives is it planning to take to
encourage the peace process and speed up the reconstruction of the country?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2002)

The Commission welcomes the signing, on 4 April 2002, of an official ceasefire between the Angolan
army and UNITA, which comes six weeks after the death of
in
conformity with the Union Common Position on Angola of 19 June 2000 (2000/391/CFSP) (1), will
continue to encourage national reconciliation and the organisation of free and fair elections as soon as

Jonas Savimbi. The Commission,

12.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 309 E/41

conditions allow, respect for human rights and the rule of law, the involvement of civil society in the
peace process and, first and foremost, a resolution of the desperate humanitarian situation.

The Commission urges the Angolan authorities to take measures to facilitate humanitarian activities and
access to all in need of assistance and welcomes the Government’s announcement to relieve the country’s
very serious humanitarian situation with an emergency programme that permits social reintegration and
resettlement of the displaced four million people in the immediate future.

In this connection, and in close co-ordination with the Angolan authorities, Community support will
continue to target humanitarian assistance to displaced populations with a particular emphasis in the
heavily war affected Central and Eastern Provinces. Furthermore, the Commission intends to continue to
provide support in all areas of the country, as soon as the security conditions improve sufficiently to allow
it.
transition to rehabilitation and
development. The re-establishment of local administrations and the re-opening of road access appear to
be particularly critical to the improvement of the livelihoods of population.

It will accompany humanitarian assistance with support

for

The Commission is currently discussing with the Government its future strategy for Angola in the
framework of the 9th European Development Fund (EDF) programming process. That strategy closely
examines the link between relief, rehabilitation and development, and emphasises support to food security,
health and education, as well as to peace-building and good governance measures. In all these areas, the
involvement of civil society is crucial.

(1) OJ L 146, 21.6.2000.

(2002/C 309 E/046)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0726/02

by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission

(14 March 2002)

Subject: Funding of projects on the Italian island of Ischia

In September 1999, I asked when building work would start on the island of Ischia for three projects
(2 projects for Ischia harbour and one for the natural spring of Nitrodi). The building project has now
finished.

1.

2.

3.

Have a general progress report for these projects and their final accounts already been drawn up?

If so, what results do the general reports show?

Could the Commission send me the general reports and the final accounts?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 2002)

Structural Funds programmes have for some years been managed directly by the central and regional
authorities of
the projects
the Member State which are directly responsible for the monitoring of
co-financed. Similarly, the authorities of the Member State are in charge of payments and the keeping of
all invoices pertaining to projects.

The Commission awaits from the Member States for 30 June 2002 the final statements of expenditure and
the final reports of implementation of the programmes for the 1994-1999 period which will contain a list
of projects co-financed and include the total cost and Structural Fund contribution. However, with regard
to the Honourable Member’s request for detailed information on the conclusion of the three projects and
related financial invoices, the Commission would suggest that he contacts the ‘Ministero delle Attività
Produttive, Direzione Generale per il Turismo’ which is competent for the Italian tourism programme.