WRITTEN QUESTION E-0867/03 by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission. Economic crisis in Venezuela.
Date: 2003-03-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, EU national, EU relations, Italy, Venezuela, economic recession, national, national minority, political situation, public safety

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/333

As indicated in its reply to the Honourable Member’s written question E-2736/00 (1), the Commission, in
the application of radio and telecommunications terminal equipment (R & TTE) Directive 1999/5/EC (2),
mandated the European Standardisation Organisations to take full account of these limits in drafting
harmonised safety standards for mobile communications equipment. As a consequence, equipment which
would expose the public beyond the levels of the Council Recommendation would clearly not comply with
the essential safety requirements of the Directive. In such cases, article 9 of the Directive obliges Member
States to take appropriate action against such non-compliant equipment.

Under article 7.2 of the R & TTE Directive, Member States may further restrict the putting into service of
radio equipment in particular for reasons relating to public health. The Commission is aware of a large
number of national and local regulations governing the erection of mobile telephone masts. Even though
an extensive study of these regulations is practically impossible (as many of these regulations have been
adopted at local level), the Commission is not aware of any national regulation which would impose
requirements which would effectively relax the regime laid down in Directive 1999/5/EC.

As regards ensuring compliance by equipment with the requirements of the R & TTE Directive, this is
primarily a task for Member States. Pursuant to Article 9 of the Directive, the role of the Commission is to
arrive at an opinion on notified cases of non-compliance, not to take upon itself to start legal actions
against equipment manufacturers. However, where Member States would fail to live up to their obligations
to ensure such compliance, the Commission could start infringement procedures under article 226 of the
EC Treaty. There are however no reasons for the Commission to believe that this is currently the case.
Measurement campaigns, which were performed by a number of Member States have shown that exposure
levels from mobile telephone masts were well below the limits of the Council Recommendation.

As regards the final question, the Commission is not aware of any regulations setting minimum distances
which would have been adopted at Member State level. Some local authorities,
in reaction to public
concern, have adopted such type of regulations.

(1) OJ C 174 E, 19.6.2001.
(2) Directive 1999/5/EC of

the Parliament and of

the Council of 9 March 1999 on radio equipment and

telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity, OJ L 91, 7.4.1999.

(2004/C 88 E/0340)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0867/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(20 March 2003)

Subject: Economic crisis in Venezuela

In the last few months the social, economic and political crisis in South America has worsened and is also
affecting Venezuela.

There are many Italian nationals in Venezuela and one of the largest Italian communities in the world lives
there, together with the Spanish community.

The current situation has led to the virtual collapse of all economic activities and the closure of businesses,
leading to an enormous fall
Italian firms operating in Venezuela and widespread
unemployment.

in profits for

C 88 E/334

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

theft and robbery are
All this is in effect causing a state of civil war,
commonplace, but no international institution is interested in finding an effective solution to the problem.

in which looting, murder,

Now, after years of deprivation, European citizens living in Venezuela have still not been given any
support by the EU.

In view of all this, can the Commission say:

1. whether there are any specific aid programmes for the South American countries currently in a state

of crisis;

2. whether there are any action programmes for the benefit of European citizens living in Venezuela?

Can it also give a general assessment of the situation?

(2004/C 88 E/0341)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0937/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(26 March 2003)

Subject: Support for EU citizens living in Venezuela

In recent months the social, economic and political crisis in Venezuela has taken a dramatic turn for the
worse, effectively triggering the collapse of all economic activities, with the consequent closure of
companies and an exponential growth in unemployment, and throwing the country into something akin
to civil war. Moreover, many Venezuelans, including high-ranking military officials, who have stated their
opposition to the current president, Hugo Chavez, have been forced into exile.

Responsibility for the situation appears to lie primarily with President Chavez who, despite having been
democratically elected, would seem to have quickly established an authoritarian regime and concentrated
all the powers of state into his own hands.

Furthermore, according to those forced into exile, there is constant violation of even the most basic
democratic principles, such as freedom of opinion and respect for human rights, which are enshrined in
numerous international conventions and in the Charter on Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

Venezuela is home to European citizens from Spain and Portugal, and to one of the largest communities of
Italians resident abroad who, in the fifty years and more they have lived in that country have made a
noteworthy contribution to its development. However, it would appear that they have not to date received
any support from the European Union and that international organisations have failed to show any real
interest in them either.

Four and a half million signatures have so far been collected on a petition to the Venezuelan Parliament to
organise new elections as swiftly as possible.

In the light of the above, could the Commission indicate:

1. whether there are any specific aid agreements with Venezuela;

2. whether there are any action programmes for EU citizens living in Venezuela;

3. whether there is a consensus on this issue within the EU;

4. what political action the EU will take with regard to this matter?