WRITTEN QUESTION E-3574/02 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Outermost regions and enlargement.
Date: 2002-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Azores, EU regional policy, Madeira, economic and social cohesion, eligible region, enlargement of the Union, gross domestic product, peripheral region, sustainable development

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/7

Moreover, the Commission points out that Art. 3a of the Directive cannot be interpreted in a way that
would remove the possibility of exclusive selling of the rights to a designated event.

Art. 3a is aimed at ensuring that the public can follow the designated event through at least one free
television broadcaster, but it is not aimed at ensuring that the public can follow the designated event
through every free television broadcaster possibly interested in its transmission.

(1) Article 11 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights reads as follows:

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to
receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers.

(2)

2. The freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected.
Fourth Report on the Application of Directive 89/552/EEC ‘Television without Frontiers’, COM(2002) 778 final,
http://europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/regul/twf/applica/comm2002_778final_en.pdf.

(3) OJ C 196, 17.8.2002.

(2004/C 78 E/0006)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3574/02

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 December 2002)

Subject: Outermost regions and enlargement

In the European Parliament’s resolution of 25 October 2000 on the outermost regions (1) it is expressly
stated that, on the basis of Article 299(2) of the Treaty, all acts which are general in scope should be
accompanied by a simplified sheet drawn up by the Interdepartmental Group and outlining their possible
impact on the outermost regions and the remedial measures required should that impact prove adverse.
Particular attention is also drawn to the financial implications of enlargement.

In view of the above, would the Commission provide the following information?

(cid:1) What studies and simplified sheets are currently available concerning the impact which acts general in

scope may have on the outermost regions, in particular Madeira and the Azores?

(cid:1) What studies are currently available concerning the possible financial impact of enlargement on the
outermost regions (in particular Madeira and the Azores) and what measures are being envisaged in
order to counter any detrimental effect?

(1) OJ C 197, 12.7.2001, p. 197.

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 2003)

The Commission generally pursues a comprehensive strategy for the outermost regions, in particular by
coordinating and driving measures with an impact on such regions. It regularly reports on the objectives
and measures taken or to be taken under common and Community policies,
including an overall
evaluation of such measures and a timetable.

The latest report was adopted by the Commission on 19 December 2002 (1) and has been sent to
Parliament. Generally speaking, it shows that the sustainable development of the outermost regions calls
for tailored solutions drawing on a number of Community policies and confirms the Commission’s
intention to pursue its comprehensive strategy for the regions. The Commission is planning a report on
the subject for adoption in the third quarter of 2003, at the same time as the third report on the economic
and social cohesion policy.

C 78 E/8

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

As for enlargement’s impact on economic and social cohesion policy, there will clearly be changes. An EU
with 25 Member States will see its territory increase by 23 % and its population by 20 %, but its wealth by
only 4 %. Enlargement will reduce the Community’s average GDP.

Enlargement has to be viewed in a wider context. According to Eurostat, 10 million people live on 286
minor European islands, 95 % of them in the Mediterranean region. In 2000, per capita GDP on these
islands was 72 % of the EU average, and 87 % of islanders lived in regions eligible for Objective 1 of the
Structural Funds.

In the Madeira region the period 1995-1999 saw per capita GDP rise from 63 % to 71 % of the
Community average (EUR=15), while in the Azores it rose from 50 % to 53 %. There is therefore a risk
that enlargement, by lowering the overall average GDP, will affect the eligibility of some of today’s
Objective 1 regions.

Among the studies underway is one concerning island regions, which includes a section on the outermost
regions. It is nearing finalisation but is not yet available.

The Commission is looking at a number of options for the status of outermost regions in future economic
and social cohesion policy. Discussions are still underway, and no decision has yet been taken. However,
the outermost regions, like other areas with severe geographical or natural handicaps, will continue to be a
cohesion policy priority in the future, and the options chosen will have to provide objective and even-
handed solutions which reflect the outermost regions’ specific needs.

(1) COM(2002) 723 final.

(2004/C 78 E/0007)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3644/02

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 December 2002)

Subject: Incarceration of Shaiboub

Is the Commission aware of
the case of Coptic Christian Shaiboub William Arsal who has been
incarcerated since September 1998 in connection with the murders of two Christians in his village of El
Kosheh? Is the Commission aware that the appeal lodged against this verdict has been pending for over
two and a half years and that Shaiboub remains in prison to this date? And is it the Commission’s opinion
that this situation is in accordance with Article 2 of the Egypt-EU Association Agreement?

Can the Commission comment on any action it has taken on the case of Shaiboub William Arsal? Will the
Commission use its influence to ensure that Shaiboub’s appeal
is heard swiftly and that all relevant
evidence is made available to be thoroughly examined to ensure a just verdict?

(2004/C 78 E/0008)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3645/02

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 December 2002)

Subject: Imprisonment of Shakir

Is the Commission aware of the case of Adly Shakir, a Coptic Christian from Beni Suef, Egypt, who
according to human rights organisations is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence after being falsely
convicted of the murders of most of his immediate family in a 1997 case? Is it the Commission’s opinion
that the way Shakir’s case has been handled is in accordance with Article 2 of the Egypt-EU Association
Agreement?

What representations does it intend to make on Shakir’s behalf to the Egyptian authorities?