WRITTEN QUESTION E-3644/02 by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Incarceration of Shaiboub.
Date: 2002-12-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Egypt, European Union, association agreement (EU), imprisonment, ratification of an agreement, religious discrimination, right to justice

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?