WRITTEN QUESTION E-1672/02 by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Council. EU — Colombia relations — Release of presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt.
Date: 2002-06-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Colombia, EU policy, EU visa policy, human rights, political kidnapping, political violence, presidential election, rule of law, terrorism

17.4.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 92 E/77

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2002)

1.
The Commission will continue to apply the Community competition rules, in particular Articles 81
and 82 of the EC Treaty as well as the Merger Regulation (1), to the European cable and cable related
markets. The objectives of the Community competition rules are to ensure wider consumer choice,
technological innovation and price competition.

The Commission welcomes the existence of strong cable operators because of the benefits of more
2.
competition in the local access market. However, where these cable operators become dominant and
vertically integrated, i.e. also produce media content, the Commission watches carefully that there is no
discrimination and that access to content is not restricted. In this respect, the Commission must apply
Community competition law without prejudice to the nationality or the origin of the companies involved.

3.
In merger control, there is no overlap of competence. Depending on specific turnover thresholds,
either the national competition authority or the Commission is competent to judge upon the transaction.

Until now, the Commission has not received a notification of this transaction.

(1) Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 of 21 December 1989 on the control of concentrations between

undertakings, OJ L 395, 30.12.1989.

(2003/C 92 E/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1672/02

by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Council

(12 June 2002)

Subject: EU (cid:1) Colombia relations (cid:1) Release of presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt

The continuing climate of uncertainty resulting from the peace process in Colombia being broken off and
the kidnapping of senators and other politicians (cid:1) that of presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt being a
prime example (cid:1) is having an extremely detrimental impact on the functioning of democracy and respect
for human rights in the country.

Recently, in its resolution of 14 March 2002, the European Parliament adopted a position on this issue,
condemning these events and calling on the European institutions to take measures to combat the
deadlock. What initiatives does the Council
it adopt
towards the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC-EP),
in collaboration with the new president? Does it
intend to act as mediator in an attempt to achieve the resumption of negotiations and to break the
deadlock in the country, and will it take immediate steps to obtain the release of Ingrid Betancourt?

intend to take to this end and what policy will

Reply

(19 December 2002)

1.
The Council has repeatedly reiterated its rejection and condemnation of the practice of kidnapping,
extortion and other crimes committed by armed groups in Colombia and has made repeated appeals for
respect for International Humanitarian Law and the protection of the civilian population.

2.
Last December, in response to the repeated human rights violations the Council decided to, ‘for the
time being, not issue new visas or residence permits to the members of the armed groups in Colombia’.
This was a political decision which aimed to leave the necessary room for manoeuvre to EU Member States
participating in the ‘Group of Facilitators’
(dialogue with the ‘Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de
Colombia’ (FARC) and the ‘Group of Friends’ (dialogue with the ‘Ejército de Liberación Nacional’ (ELN)).
In its declaration of February the Council also announced that ‘it reserves the right to change its policy
towards the armed groups.’

C 92 E/78

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

17.4.2003

Last June, the Council decided to include the FARC and the UAC (‘Unidades de Autodefensa de

3.
Colombia’) in the EU list of terrorist organisations in the framework of its policy to fight terrorism.

On the occasion of the election of Dr Alvaro Uribe as President of Colombia on 26 May the Council
the

4.
expressed its congratulations to him. The Council considered that his election was proof of
Colombians’ firm support for and confidence in him personally and his plan for the country’s future.

5.
The Council also expressed its conviction that the new President of Colombia, on the firm basis of
the rule of law and full compliance with human rights and fundamental freedoms, would be able to meet
in full the aspirations for peace and prosperity of all its people.

6.
The Council also reaffirmed its support to the quest for a negotiated solution to the conflict in which
Colombia is embroiled. The Council reiterated its determination to stand by the Colombian people and
their Government in their efforts to secure justice, social advancement and the reconciliation of all
Colombians, and in their struggle against
impunity and violations of human rights and
international humanitarian law.

terrorism,

The Council will continue to follow events in Colombia and the initiatives taken by Dr Uribe last

7.
August.

(2003/C 92 E/079)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1673/02

by Roger Helmer (PPE-DE), Charles Tannock (PPE-DE)
and Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Council

(12 June 2002)

Subject: Seigniorage

What has been the impact of seigniorage on the national finances of each of the Member States which
have adopted the euro?

Does the Council have any estimates of the financial costs or benefits in terms of seigniorage to the UK if
it were to join the euro?

Reply

(16-19 December 2002)

After the adoption of the euro by participating Member States, the monetary income which they formerly
generated from their national currencies (‘seigniorage income’) has been transferred to the ECB.
In
accordance with Article 33 of the Statute of the ESCB and the ECB, this monetary income is added to the
net profits or losses of the ECB.

In the case of net profits, Article 33 stipulates that profits which remain after deduction of an amount to
be transferred to the general reserve fund of the ECB are distributed to the NCBs, which are the
shareholders of the ECB, in proportion to their paid-up shares.

However, in the three years from 1999 to 2001, the seigniorage income from the national banknotes in
issue was not pooled and allocated.

At the present time, the Council has no further information to enable it to reply to the question.