WRITTEN QUESTION E-2334/02 by Bob van den Bos (ELDR)and Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Landmines.
Date: 2002-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, anti-personnel weapon, arms limitation, international security

8.5.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 110 E/41

More than thirty years have elapsed since 1968 and many European citizens born since then in a Member
State of which they are not a national still possess a ‘residence permit’. Is it not paradoxical and somewhat
absurd that people can be considered temporary residents in a country in which they were born and in
which they have lived on an ongoing basis for 20-30 years?

As it is highly unlikely that a true European identity card (cid:1) which is what European citizens are
demanding (cid:1) can be introduced at present, why does the Commission not, in the meantime, amend
Directive 68/360/EEC and change the ‘residence permit’ into a ‘domicile permit’?

(1) OJ L 257, 19.10.1968, p. 13.

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

On 23 May 2001 the Commission adopted a proposal for a Directive concerning the right of Union
citizens and their family members to travel and reside within the territory of the Member States (1). Once it
has been adopted by Parliament and the Council, the new Directive will replace Council Directive of
15 October 1968 on the abolition of restrictions on movement and residence within the Community for
workers of Member States and their families (2), referred to by the Honourable Member, and all the other
legal instruments in force governing the free movement of a range of groups of people: self-employed
workers, service providers and recipients, retired people, people who are not economically active, and
students.

With a view to simplifying the formalities relating to residence, the proposal provides for the abolition of
the residence permit for Union citizens for an initial period of residence of four years. It also provides that
after four years of uninterrupted residence in the host Member State, Union citizens acquire permanent
right of residence, which implies that they must be accorded equal treatment with national citizens and
cannot be expelled from the country concerned. At this stage, Union citizens can obtain a ‘permanent
residence card’ enshrining this right.

(1) OJ C 270, 29.9.2001.
(2) OJ L 257, 19.10.1968.

(2003/C 110 E/042)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2334/02

by Bob van den Bos (ELDR)
and Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(26 July 2002)

Subject: Landmines

According to Landmine Monitor 2001 at least 30 armed groups are reported to have used landmines in
2000 and 2001. In September 2001, the European Parliament voted unanimously a resolution calling on
the international community to support efforts made by specialised NGOs (1), such as Geneva Call, to
obtain commitments to an anti-personnel mine ban from non-State actors.

In the budget 2002 the commitments under the special budget line for Community participation in
1.
action concerning anti-personnel mines consisted of EUR 11,5 million. Can the Commission specify how
much of this amount has been spent on supporting efforts to commit non-State actors in 2002?

2. What type of projects has the Commission financed under this budget line so far?

3. Will the Commission consider intensifying its activities to support the efforts of non-State actors in
banning anti-personnel mines? If so, what type of activities does it envisage?

(1) OJ C 72 E, 21.3.2002, p. 352.

C 110 E/42

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.5.2003

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 2002)

Further to the Parliament and Council Regulations (1) on the reinforcement of the Union’s contribution to
the fight against anti-personnel landmines (APL), the Commission has prepared and transmitted to the
Member States in the beginning of June 2002 for discussion a draft 2002-2004 Multiannual Strategy and
Programme for the APL budget.

This discussion has not yet taken place and the Strategy is consequently not yet operational. However, the
draft contains provisions to support non-state actors, possibly already during 2002, if mature initiatives to
raise confidence between parties involved in internal conflicts can be proposed.

The Commission has so far funded various types of actions, in particular impact surveys, mine clearance,
awareness building and operational research-related actions.

In accordance with the Regulations which came into force at the end of 2001, the Commission will
intensify its support for actions banning APL, for financing impact surveys with a view to support the
planning of priorities, to finance mine clearance, awareness raising and other actions and will have
recourse to non-state actors as well as international organisations defending on needs on the spot and the
capacity of the actors concerned to best perform the activities.

The Commission believes that Geneva Call has achieved a high degree of beneficial impact in Sudan. This
is a country which has been a priority for Community support in the fight against APL since early 2000.
The Commission takes the view that all the ingredients for further cross-line confidence building activities
exist there and its continued support will be essential.

(1) Regulation (EC) No 1724/2001 of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2001 concerning action against
anti-personnel landmines in developing countries, OJ L 234, 1.9.2001;Council Regulation (EC) No 1725/2001 of
23 July 2001 concerning action against anti-personnel
landmines in third countries other than developing
countries, OJ L 234, 1.9.2001.

(2003/C 110 E/043)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2335/02

by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission

(26 July 2002)

Subject: Decommissioning of the Russian nuclear fleet

What assurances can the Commission give that effective action is being taken to ensure the safe collection,
treatment and disposal of radioactive waste arising from the decommissioning of the Russian nuclear
submarine fleet?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(20 September 2002)

The Russian authorities are responsible for ensuring the safe collection,
radioactive waste arising from the decommissioning of
international community,
pursuit of these activities.

including the Union, nevertheless attach great

treatment and disposal of
the Russian nuclear submarine fleet. The
importance to the effective

For example, the Commission has played a very active role in launching the ‘Northern Dimension
Environmental Protection Fund’ (NDEP). The NDEP, which will be managed by the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London, was launched at a pledging conference in Brussels on
9 July 2002 chaired by the Commission. To date there are confirmed pledges amounting to EUR 110
million. Within this, the Commission has pledged EUR 50 million to the fund, of which EUR 40 million is
for its ‘nuclear window’. This contribution will come from the TACIS Nuclear Safety budget line. The main
objective of the NDEP nuclear window is to assist the Russian Federation in the most urgent tasks relating
including in particular those relating to the situation of the
to nuclear waste in North West Russia,