WRITTEN QUESTION E-0120/03 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Border fishing dispute at the mouth of the Guadiana.
Date: 2003-01-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Portugal, Spain, fishing area, fishing industry, fishing regulations, inshore fishing, violence

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/697

The Copenhagen European Council declared that the Union remains determined to avoid the creation of
new dividing lines in Europe and to promote stability and prosperity within and beyond the new borders
of the Union.

The European Council reaffirmed the European perspective of the countries of the Western Balkans in the
Stabilisation and Association Process as stipulated by the European Council in Feira (19/20 June 2000).

With regard to relations between the enlarged Union and its neighbours, the European Council stated that
enlargement will strengthen relations with Russia, and expressed the wish that relations with Ukraine,
Moldova, Belarus and the southern Mediterranean countries be enhanced, based on a long-term approach
promoting democratic and economic reforms, sustainable developments and trade.

The Commission will soon bring forward proposals to that end.

(2004/C 78 E/0745)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0120/03

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Border fishing dispute at the mouth of the Guadiana

(28 January 2003)

The fishing dispute taking place at the mouth of the River Guadiana on the border between Spain and
Portugal has reached such an intensity that fishermen from the coastal villages in Huelva (Spain) have
complained that the Portuguese navy has fired shots at them.

It is for this reason that these Spanish fishermen have called for suspension of the current fishing
agreement until the Portuguese navy undertakes not to open fire, because according to them it was a
miracle that nobody died in the attacks by the Portuguese patrol-boat, which was ‘shooting to kill’.

Given the powers that the Commission has in the area of fisheries under the CFP, what initiatives has it
taken to resolve this fishing dispute, how far will it intervene with the Portuguese authorities to prevent
the Portuguese navy from continuing to fire on Huelva fishermen, and will it act as an arbitrator to find a
compromise solution to the dispute?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(24 February 2003)

The Commission has received no request from the national authorities to take any action over incidents
that have occurred at the mouth of the Guadiana.

It falls to the national authorities to apply the Community or national rules in force and to their judicial
bodies to impose penalties on those who break them.

In any case it goes without saying that the Commission wishes fishing in this zone to be conducted under
satisfactory conditions for all parties.

(2004/C 78 E/0746)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0192/03

by Lennart Sacrédeus (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Indian priest imprisoned without charge in Qatar

(31 January 2003)

Mr Arokiyasamy Stanislas Chellappa is a Christian Indian who has lived and worked as an engineer in
Qatar on the Arabian peninsula for 22 years together with his wife, Ester, and their 12-year old son.