WRITTEN QUESTION E-1392/02 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission. Sudan.
Date: 2002-05-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Sudan

6.3.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 52 E/67

resolution on Human rights and Terrorism introduced by Algeria at the 58th session of the Commission
on Human Rights (CHR). The Union abstained on this resolution, principally because it included the
assertion that
terrorist acts constituted a violation of human rights (the Union having consistently
maintained that human rights violations can only be perpetrated by States).

With respect to the creation of a mechanism to monitor the human rights impact of anti-terrorism
measures taken by States, the Union participated actively in the negotiations at the 58th CHR on the text
of a resolution introduced by Mexico on Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while
Countering Terrorism which requested the High Commissioner to provide advice, recommendations and
analysis on the protection of human rights in the context of the fight against terrorism. The Union’s
support for this move was demonstrated by its indication of co-sponsorship on the resolution. However,
strong opposition from other States led to the withdrawal of the text. Further efforts to secure progress on
the issue are expected at the next session of the CHR.

(2003/C 52 E/076)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1392/02

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(15 May 2002)

Subject: Sudan

What progress is being made in terms of the resumption of normal relations between the EU and Sudan?
Is there any identified progress in the ongoing political dialogue with the Sudanese Government?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(25 June 2002)

Positive steps have been made towards a progressive normalisation of relations between the Sudan and the
Union.

From the Commission’s side the three commitments for 2002 agreed upon during the Union Troïka
Mission December 2001, were implemented as follows:

(cid:1) the Management Unit for the ‘Humanitarian Plus’ Programme was established before end January

2002;

(cid:1) the notification letter by the Member of

the Commission responsible for development and
humanitarian aid for the 9th European Development Fund (EDF) allocation was delivered to the
President of the Sudan on 29 January 2002, ahead of the date agreed with the Sudanese government;

(cid:1) discussions for the preparation of the Country Strategy Paper with the Government, the Sudan
People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) and Sudanese Non-State Actors (North and South)
started in February 2002 and are progressing with a view to possible signature by end 2002.

As regards the Union’s commitment
the
to high level contacts,
Commission received Mr Mutrif Siddiq from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Sudanese contact point for
the Union/Sudan political dialogue in Khartoum. This was an occasion to exchange views on the progress
in the Union/Sudan dialogue.

the above-mentioned Member of

The Directorate General for Development received for the first time since the suspension of co-operation
the Sudanese Minister of Finance to discuss progress in the preparation of the Country Strategy Paper and
the economic situation of the country.

C 52 E/68

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2003

The Commission assesses positively these first steps in the renewal of the Policy Dialogue with the
Government and the SPLM/A and Civil Society.

The Commission recalls that progressive normalisation of relations is conditional on progress achieved in
the political dialogue. As only five months have elapsed since the Union Troïka Mission, the Union has not
yet evaluated the overall process.

However, from the Commission’s point of view, some positive steps can be highlighted:

(cid:1) the monthly dialogue meetings between the Government and the Union are taking place regularly,

which allows a better exchange of views on the different commitments of the dialogue;

(cid:1) the Nuba mountains ceasefire and all the measures that go with it, particularly the international
monitoring system, is a first fragile step in the direction of a possible overall ceasefire and peace
process;

(cid:1) the agreement signed by both parties in March 2002 to protect non-combatant civilians and civilian

facilities from military attacks;

(cid:1) the work of the first international commission investigating alleged slavery practices and abduction

and its conclusions are a very important progress in that area of the dialogue;

(cid:1) finally, although not signing the final document for the Task Forces, the Government has not closed
all doors in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-led Peace Process and it is
hoped that the negotiations will restart mid-June 2002.

(2003/C 52 E/077)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1403/02

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

Subject: Unemployment in Finland and emissions trading

(15 May 2002)

The Commission has expressed disquiet at the Finnish unemployment trend. That is the assessment
contained in its spring budget forecast.

However, the Commission is energetically promoting emissions trading, which according to published
reports has a direct adverse effect on employment. This applies especially to Finland, where 40 000 people
work in the industry that would be hardest hit by emissions trading and whose operations would be most
severely hampered from the economic point of view. Emissions trading thus directly affects the future of
those 40 000 people. The problems entailed are not as serious in the other Member States.

How does the Commission believe that anxiety about rising unemployment in Finland and advocacy of
emissions trading can be combined to produce a coherent policy?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(27 June 2002)

The Commission has not seen the studies referred to in the question, and cannot therefore provide a
detailed rebuttal of their results. However, the Commission is unaware of any objective analysis which
concludes that emissions trading will
lead to severe job losses compared to alternative methods of
achieving Finland’s commitments under the Kyoto Protocol and the Burden Sharing Agreement.