WRITTEN QUESTION E-3181/02 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Terrorism and the Middle East Peace Process.
Date: 2002-11-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Israel, Palestine question, settlement of disputes, terrorism, the EU's international role

C 11 E/32

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

15.1.2004

(2004/C 11 E/031)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3179/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 November 2002)

Subject: Persecution of Christians in Vietnam

Is the Commission concerned at reports of systematic persecution of Christians in Vietnam? Does the
Commission have any information regarding beatings and imprisonment of Christians on the basis of
Decree No 26 (1999) designed to outlaw ‘superstitious activities’ or a campaign of oppression against
several hundred thousand Christians in the central highlands which has driven hundreds of them to
Cambodia or to the forests of Vietnam in order to escape?

If so, has the Commission raised its concerns with the Vietnamese government?

What is the level of economic assistance provided by the European Union to Vietnam and is this money
dependent in any way on respect for religious belief or more general adherence to human rights norms?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(25 November 2002)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its replies to Written Question s P-1502/02 by
Mr Dell’Alba (1) and E-2845/02 by Mr Panella (2).

The Community-Vietnam bilateral co-operation programme is based on the Country Strategy agreed with
the Government of Vietnam for the period 2002-2006, which aims to facilitate and accelerate the
reduction of poverty in a sustainable manner.

Under this Strategy, the Community-Vietnam co-operation will focus on two priority focal points:

(cid:1) enhancement of human development, in particular through integrated rural development targeting

some of the poorest provinces, and through support in the education sector;

(cid:1) integration of Vietnam into the international economy, by assisting further economic reform and

integration into international and regional economic structures.

Crosscutting themes include disaster preparedness, environmental protection, culture and education,
gender equality, and the promotion of human rights, and good governance. In the framework of the
agreed National Indicative Programme for 2002-2004, an indicative Community grant of EUR 101 million
has been earmarked to implement specified proposals meeting the objectives of the Vietnam Country
Strategy.

The Union’s policy towards Vietnam, as it is to all countries,
is to encourage and support continued
progress on human rights and democratisation, and to raise concerns where any abuses or a deterioration
in the situation is observed.

(1) OJ C 110 E, 8.5.2003, p. 18.
(2) OJ C 192 E, 14.8.2003, p. 81.

(2004/C 11 E/032)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3181/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Terrorism and the Middle East Peace Process

(7 November 2002)

The Commission is deeply involved in the quest for a solution to the Arab/Israeli conflict. Can the
Commission confirm that it has properly impressed on Chairman Arafat the need to use all his authority
to provide a window of opportunity free of terrorist attacks so that genuine negotiations on a two-state
solution can take place, and that it is in the fundamental interests of the Palestinians themselves to achieve
this?

15.1.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 11 E/33

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(11 December 2002)

The Commission, in meetings with Palestinian Authority representatives but also in written communi-
cations to President Arafat has made its view point clear that violence and terror must end and that the
Palestinian Authority, as legitimate governing body in the Palestinian territories, must fight terrorism. In the
same fashion the European Council and the General Affairs Council raised this issue on numerous
occasions, e.g. declarations of Laeken (14 & 15 December 2001) and Seville (21 & 22 June 2002).

The Commission has also drawn attention to the need for the Palestinian Authority to address the problem
of incitement to violence.

Equally, the Commission has expressed its regret that periods of relative calm, like at the end of last year
and in July/August 2002 have not been seized as opportunities in finding a negotiationed solution on the
principle of two states. It is the Commission’s view that matters relating to security must be addressed at
the same time as political and economic aspects in order to allow the political process to move forward.

(2004/C 11 E/033)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3182/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 November 2002)

Subject: Access to Kaliningrad

Can the Commission confirm that the European Union is beginning to move towards the idea of
subsidising non-stop sealed trains designed to link Kaliningrad to mainland Russia as a solution to the
problems of access whilst respecting the security concerns of Poland and Lithuania?

Has the Commission discussed with the Russian government the possibility of building civilian as opposed
to military port facilities on Kaliningrad’s Baltic coast with a view to improving maritime links between
Kaliningrad and ports in mainland Russia, and would this be a project that the European Union might be
prepared to subsidise?

Finally, is the Commission aware of any plans to change the name of the exclave, which is named after the
first President of the Soviet Union, and, if so, does the Commission believe that this holds any significance
for its future political status?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(29 November 2002)

The Commission recalls the General Affairs and External Relations Council
(GAERC) conclusions of
30 September 2002 and 22 October 2002, which were confirmed by the Brussels European Council on
25 October 2002.

These Council conclusions clearly state that, while the Union should explore, in full cooperation with the
Republic of Lithuania, the feasibility of visa-free travel by non-stop train for Russian citizens travelling
between the Kaliningrad region and the rest of Russia, any eventual decision on such a scheme:

could only be taken by an enlarged Union, on the basis of a thorough evaluation of the political and
legal aspects and once the technical obstacles have been overcome.

The GAERC conclusions of 22 October 2002 further agree that:

A decision to launch a feasibility study in 2003 by independent consultants will be taken by the
Union with the agreement of Lithuania when there is agreement with Lithuania on the Terms of
Reference for the study.