WRITTEN QUESTION E-3573/02 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Article 299(2) and social and economic cohesion in the Azores.
Date: 2002-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Azores, aid to agriculture, common agricultural policy, dairy production, economic and social cohesion, peripheral region, production quota, regional policy, rural development

13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65 E/17

document was drafted in general terms, it will only be possible to make an accurate assessment of its likely
effects on human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of religion, once the draft bill is
submitted to the Legislative Council. This should take place in February 2003. In the meantime, the Union
is monitoring the issue and will strongly urge the Hong Kong Government to take the views of the Hong
Kong population into account. A possible démarche to the Hong Kong SAR Government is under
consideration.

Respect for human rights represents a central issue in the Union’s relations with China. In the context of
the bilateral dialogue on human rights, established between the Union and China in 1996, the Union
regularly raises individual cases of concern, including cases involving Falun Gong practitioners. Religious
freedom is high on our agenda with China. It has been regularly -and will continue to be (cid:1) raised in this
framework.

In addition, the Union has on several occasions undertaken formal démarches to express concern about
reports of torture and ill treatment of followers of the Falun Gong movement who have been arrested, and
has urged China to review harsh sentences imposed on them. In particular, the Union has asked China to
ensure that safeguards of a fair trial, including adequate legal representation, are fully respected for all
individuals. Concern about the violations of the human rights of the followers of Falun Fong was also
expressed in the conclusions of the General Affairs Council on Human Rights in China in March 2002.

Regarding the question of the possible impact of Falun Gong on the Chinese Communist Party, the
Commission invites the Honourable Member to refer to the reply given to Written Question E-1969/02 by
Mr Davies (1).

(1) OJ C 137 E, 12.6.2003, p. 38.

(2004/C 65 E/018)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3573/02

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 December 2002)

Subject: Article 299(2) and social and economic cohesion in the Azores

The outermost regions face particular problems on account of their distance from the EU’s centre, their
high degree of economic specialisation, their natural disadvantages, the smallness of their market and their
high production costs. All of these factors hamper their sustainable development and restrict
their
competitiveness. A further consideration is geographical dispersion, which applies in the case of the
Azores. Special regional-policy and CAP programmes have therefore been drawn up for those regions,
whilst the Amsterdam Treaty contains provision for measures designed to remedy their specific problems,
in particular agriculture-related ones.

One of the cornerstones of the Azores economy is milk and its related products. Its socio-economic
significance and the number of direct and indirect jobs and services it generates make an essential
contribution to social and economic cohesion, for which reason EU regional policy must be called upon to
underpin the region’s economic sustainability and to further the development of the dairy industry.
The latter has been affected by the size of the regional milk quota, which is likely to be exceeded, in which
case fines will have to be paid under the rules governing the common organisation of the market in dairy
products. Such fines, if imposed, would jeopardise the regional economy, which is dependent upon the
dairy industry.

In view of the above, and with due regard to Article 299(2) of the Treaty, would the Commission answer
the following questions:

(cid:1) What action is it planning to take in order to remedy this state of affairs?

(cid:1) With a view to promoting the region’s development, would it consider exempting the dairy sector
from the constraints of the CAP and drawing up a special dairy-sector development programme?

C 65 E/18

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 2003)

The Community has implemented rural development measures to assist the Azores region for the 2000-
2006 period under Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 (1). They include a multi-fund operational programme
part-financed from the Structural Funds, inter alia by the EAGGF Guidance Section (EUR 133 554 million)
and a rural development plan part-funded by the EAGGF Guarantee Section (EUR 122 206 millions).

The rural development support granted under those programmes is intended inter alia for improving
productive structures, conversion and reorientation of agricultural production, improvement of product
quality, sustainable development, diversification of activity, etc. Some of the programmes’ measures have
already been the subject of specific derogations of a structural nature provided for in Regulation (EC)
No 1453/2001 (2).

Rural development measures must in any case be coordinated with other common agricultural policy
measures, including measures taken under the common organisation of markets.

More specifically as regards dairy production Article 26 of Regulation (EC) No 1453/2001 provides for the
Azores to receive aid for implementing, during the period 2002-2006, a comprehensive programme to
support the production and marketing of
local produce in the livestock and milk products sector.
The authorities responsible are to present draft programmes for approval by the Commission, but to date
they have not presented any under this provision.

Milk production in the Azores currently exceeds 500 000 tonnes a year, an increase of almost 60 % in
10 years; such a percentage increase has not been achieved in any other region of Europe. The almost
inevitable consequence of this growth, however, is that the price paid to milk producers in the Azores is
among the lowest in Europe. Cheese (cid:1) the main derivative (cid:1) also sells with difficulty and at prices well
below those of comparable continental products, for lack of a sufficient market outside the islands and
concerted efforts to develop one, for example under Article 26 of Regulation (EC) No 1453/2001.

The Portuguese authorities have sent the Commission a request to extend Article 23 of Regulation (EC)
No 1453/2001, which concerns the setting of milk quotas in the context of determining additional levies.
The request is substantiated by reference to the specific characteristics of production in the most remote
regions, and in particular of milk production in the Azores.

The Commission is examining the request in the light of the Azores’ special situation as a most remote
region, while ensuring consistency and respect for the integrity of Community law in the context of the
rules applicable, in particular Regulation (EC) No 1453/2001.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European
Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations, OJ L 160,
26.6.1999.

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 1453/2001 of 28 June 2001 introducing specific measures for certain agricultural
products for the Azores and Madeira and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 1600/92 (Poseima), OJ L 198, 21.7.2001.

(2004/C 65 E/019)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3608/02

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(16 December 2002)

Subject: NATO enlargement and EU defence policy

The summit of the 19 NATO heads of state and government, held in Prague on 21/22 November in the
the Atlantic Alliance and meeting in the
presence of

the 27 associate countries of

the leaders of