WRITTEN QUESTION E-1829/02 by Pere Esteve (ELDR) to the Council. Persons missing in unknown circumstances.
Date: 2002-06-27
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: child protection, database, joint action, judicial cooperation in criminal matters in the EU, judicial inquiry, police cooperation, trafficking in human beings

C 52 E/104

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2003

In the case of the Basking Shark, the United Kingdom, following agreement by the Community’s CITES
Management Committee, has submitted a revised proposal for the next CITES Conference of the Parties (to
be held in Santiago, Chile, from 3-15 November 2002) to have the species listed on Appendix II of CITES.
This was done in May 2002. The Commission fully supports this proposal both from an environmental
and a fisheries perspective.

On the last occasion when the listing of this species was considered, the main objection raised was that
this issue was more properly the responsibility of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation
(FAO). The proposal was narrowly defeated.

There are two factors that have changed since the last Conference of the Parties:

(cid:1) FAO have in the meantime agreed an interpretation of the CITES selection criteria for commercial fish
species and the proposal made on behalf of the Community Member States demonstrates that the
basking shark meets these criteria;

(cid:1) as a CITES Party, the United Kingdom has also consulted FAO and relevant Regional Fisheries

Organisations and has not had any negative response.

Lobbying of those countries which expressed opposition at the last Conference by all those interested in
the conservation of the basking shark could be helpful.

(2003/C 52 E/117)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1829/02

by Pere Esteve (ELDR) to the Council

(27 June 2002)

Subject: Persons missing in unknown circumstances

In response to the current problem of persons missing in unknown circumstances,
it seems that a
collective working group of six Member State countries has been formed with the objective of creating an
international database for identifying missing persons and unidentified corpses.

Is the Council aware of this working group and, if so, of what it involves?

Is the Council involved in this type of initiative, or does it intend to put forward a proposal for a similar
initiative at European Union level?

Reply

(11 November 2002)

1.
As part of the implementation of the Joint Action 97/154/JHA of 24 February 1997 concerning
action to combat trafficking in human beings and sexual exploitation of children (1), the Council adopted,
on 19 March 1998, conclusions on missing persons and unidentified corpses.

It proposed that:

(a)

(b)

either national coordination points be set up in the Member States, or the working methods and
procedures of existing coordination points be improved;

the handling at national level of reports of missing persons be improved, with priority being given to
high-risk categories of missing persons;

(c)

experience with these priority improvements be assessed within a year.

In evaluating the measures taken regarding missing persons and unidentified corpses the Council is
2.
examining ways to reach agreement on recommendations to improve the work of
the national
coordination points and took note of the initiative of the Netherlands delegation to organise an experts
meeting on missing persons.

6.3.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 52 E/105

The report prepared by the experts has been presented to the competent Council Working Party.
3.
This report contains a suggestion for the creation of a database for the exchange of information on
missing persons.

The need to the creation of a new database requires further examination in the light of the
4.
possibilities already offered by databases established in the Schengen Information System, by Europol and
Interpol.

(1) OJ L 63, 4.3.1997, p. 2.

(2003/C 52 E/118)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1835/02

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

(27 June 2002)

Subject: Investment in eastern Europe

The Community authorities have repeatedly urged undertakings in the Community to invest in eastern
Europe and to take advantage of the opportunities offered in the region by the EBRD (European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development).

Nonetheless, many Community entrepreneurs who might wish to invest in the countries of eastern Europe
do not have the logistic support needed for receiving the information and assistance which would enable
them to decide where and how to invest in those countries.

Can the Commission provide information on the logistic support infrastructure which it is in a position to
supply to Community entrepreneurs wishing to invest in eastern Europe? Can it also explain what
channels are available for interested entrepreneurs to approach the Community authorities in order to
request support and assistance?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(30 July 2002)

Attracting foreign investment is primarily the responsibility of the host country. In Central and Eastern
Europe, the Commission has supported initiatives to encourage inward investment in a variety of ways.

Through the application of the Europe Agreements, and the intensive co-operation with the candidate
countries preparing for Union membership, the Commission has assured that many laws and regulations
affecting business are aligned with those applicable in the Community, including inter alia that enterprises
of the Community are subject to the same rules as those of the host country (known as ‘national
treatment’) for their establishment and operations.

Pre-accession co-operation has also lead to significantly improving the environment for enterprises in other
areas, such as public policy, the quality of public services, public administration and infrastructure.

In addition, with the participation of candidate countries in the Multiannual Programme for Enterprises
and Entrepreneurship (2001-2005), businesses have access to information and advice about these markets
through Euro Info Centre (EIC) network.

EICs help companies to internationalise their activities by providing information on business opportunities
outside the Community, including funding opportunities, tenders for external aid, market analysis, legal
provisions applicable to businesses take-over or start-ups, sources of financing for small- and medium-
sized enterprises (SMEs), import and export regulations, co-operation initiatives and partner search, sectoral
opportunities in fields such as environment, energy, research and technological development.