WRITTEN QUESTION P-1482/02 by Massimo Carraro (PSE) to the Council. Madagascar.
Date: 2002-05-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Madagascar, civil war, democracy, human rights, international affairs, presidential election, the EU's international role

C 52 E/74

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2003

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(11 June 2002)

In its answer to the Honourable Member’s Written Question P-1119/02 (1), the Commission indicated that
it was in contact with government experts in the various Member States, particularly the Netherlands, to
discuss the details of social security benefits listed in Annex IIa to Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 of the
Council of 14 June 1971 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons and their
families moving within the Community (2).

These contacts are still under way and the Commission has not so far made any decision on the precise
content of the proposal which it plans to adopt. The conclusions which Mr Hoogervorst, Netherlands
Secretary of State for Social Affairs and Employment, may have drawn from departmental contacts on the
Commission’s position on this issue therefore seem premature.

(1) OJ C 205 E, 29.8.2002, p. 254.
(2) OJ L 149, 5.7.1971.

(2003/C 52 E/083)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1482/02

by Massimo Carraro (PSE) to the Council

(22 May 2002)

Subject: Madagascar

For the past two months Madagascar has been on the verge of civil war as it attempts to uphold the results
of the elections of 16 December 2001 which, despite extensive rigging by the dictator Ratsiraka, were won
by Ravalomanana.

Regrettably, until now the international community has not taken any action to firmly condemn the
serious events in Madagascar. The work of defending people’s rights and civilised values has in fact been
carried out in the country with great courage by missionaries, and in particular by Ursuline nuns who have
been present in Madagascar since 1960.

Given the above, will the Council explain what the European Union intends to do to restore democracy
and prevent a worsening of the situation in Madagascar?

In view of the important and delicate work done by the Ursuline sisters and the many European
missionaries in Madagascar, will the Council explain how the European Union intends to promote the
efforts of the religious to uphold democracy and defend the hard-hit populations in the areas affected by
the conflict?

Reply

(5 November 2002)

The EU has attentively observed recent developments in Madagascar following the Presidential elections.
Already on 17 April it issued its first declaration expressing concern over the deterioration of the situation
in Madagascar and condemning the outbreaks of violence and human rights violations.

In the light of the impasse the situation had reached, the EU noted with satisfaction the initiative taken by
the OAU and the UN with the assistance of Presidents Wade, Kerekou, Gbagbo and Chissano that led to
the agreement signed by Mr Ratsiraka and Mr Ravalomanana in Dakar on 18 April. Noting that the
implementation of the agreement was lagging and that violence on the island had increased, the EU again
on 8 May expressed regrets that certain provincial governors had declared the independence of their
provinces and it reiterated its conviction that the Dakar agreement remained the appropriate framework
for achieving a solution. In its decision of 9 July 2002, the African Union firmly stressed the urgent need
to organise elections and to define institutional arrangements enabling the transition to be ensured.

6.3.2003

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 52 E/75

For its part, in its declaration of 11 July 2002, the European Union supported President Ravalomanana and
stated its willingness to support preparations for the Parliamentary elections he announced and the
reconciliation process. It will also contribute substantially towards Madagascar’s reconstruction.

On 26 July 2002 the World Bank and the UNDP invited donors to meet in Paris with a view to promoting
Madagascar’s reconstruction. The European Commission took part in that meeting.

(2003/C 52 E/084)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1518/02

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Bird protection area in the Umeälv delta

(29 May 2002)

A bird protection area in the Umeälv delta in northern Sweden is to be incorporated into the EU’s Natura
2000 network. There are differing views as to how big the protected area should be. At the same time,
there are plans to construct a new railway line (cid:1) ‘Botniabanan’ (cid:1) in the immediate vicinity of the new
area. The Commission is reportedly examining whether the proposed rail route is compatible with the
protected area.

Does the Commission consider that the proposed rail route is acceptable and falls outside the area which
should be protected? If the Commission has not yet taken a decision on this matter, can it give a date by
which a decision may be expected?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(12 July 2002)

The Commission has received a request from the Swedish Government for an opinion pursuant of
Article 6.4 of the Habitats Directive (1) as to the presence of overriding reasons of public interest justifying
the construction of Botniabanan (Bothnia Railway) adjacent to Umeälvens Delta special protection area/site
of Community interest (SPA/SCI). During the subsequent discussions and meetings with the Swedish
Government the Commission has pointed out that there are several complaints about an insufficient
designation of Umeälvens Delta SPA/SCI and that, before giving an opinion, the Commission would need
the Swedish Government to explain the scientific basis for the boundaries of the area it has designated.
The Commission has also requested that the Swedish Government provides the comprehensive dossier
required to make its judgement of the case (cid:1) this includes detailed statements of environmental impact on
the site concerned, treatment of alternatives and the reasons on which the case of overriding public
interest is made. According to the information the Commission has received, the material is currently
under preparation. The opinion can be given only after the Commission has received the material and
assessed it.

(1) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora,

OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2003/C 52 E/085)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1525/02

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 June 2002)

Subject: European Union information campaign on introducing the euro in the UK, Sweden and Denmark

The great majority of citizens in the three EU countries which do not belong to the euro zone (United
Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden) are convinced that the single currency will eventually be adopted in their
respective countries.