WRITTEN QUESTION E-0922/03 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. Serbia; assassination of the Prime Minister; instability.
Date: 2003-03-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, Serbia and Montenegro, democratisation, fight against crime, head of government, homicide, political cooperation, the EU's international role

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/25

principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin (1) and 2000/78/EC of
27 November 2000 establishing a general
in employment and
occupation (2) and as reaffirmed in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

framework for equal

treatment

The Commission has paid close attention to the fulfilment of these criteria. In its progress reports for the
Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, the Commission has attached high importance to the
situation of the Roma minority. Whilst underlining the progress achieved over a number of years, the
reports have clearly identified the remaining problems and have called for continued efforts to remedy any
remaining weaknesses. The Reports also underlined the need to fully transpose Directives 2000/43/EC and
including the
2000/78/EC and to make further efforts to comply with Article 13 of the EC Treaty,
establishment of an Equality Body. These issues are raised at all appropriate occasions and at the highest
political level.

Necessary arrangements are also made to allow the participation of the Candidate Countries in the
Community programme against discrimination. Moreover, Phare is also funding important and specific
assistance programmes in this field. For example, the Phare 2001 Programme allocated EUR 3 million for a
civil society project in the Czech Republic to encourage participation of the Roma in public life, and
EUR 5 million to a social integration programme in Hungary which puts special emphasis on the Roma
population. A further EUR 10 million was allocated in Slovakia to support infrastructure and education
projects which will benefit the Roma. The PHARE 2002 Programme provided EUR 0,5 million to increase
the effectiveness of policies and programmes promoting Roma integration in Hungary, and a further
EUR 3 million to promote anti-discrimination and tolerance towards the Roma in Hungary. PHARE 2003
has allocated EUR 1 million for a project to improve the long-term opportunities of the Roma in the Czech
Republic.

The Commission will continue to closely monitor and support preparations for accession in the area of
non-discrimination.

(1) OJ L 180, 19.7.2000.
(2) OJ L 303, 2.12.2000.

(2004/C 78 E/0027)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0922/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Serbia; assassination of the Prime Minister; instability

(24 March 2003)

On 12 March the Serbian Prime Minister, Zoran Djindjic, was brutally murdered. The reason for the
assassination seems to have been his determination to combat organised crime.

Can the Commission say:

(cid:1) what information it has regarding who committed the crime;

(cid:1) whether it considers that the Union should assist the Republic of Serbia at this time of emergency and

political and social instability;

(cid:1) whether it will be willing to continue to provide this assistance with regard to fighting crime and

consolidating democratic institutions in Serbia;

(cid:1) how it will be able to do this?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 2003)

The Commission has on various occasions,
including during a personal visit by the Member of the
Commission responsible for External Relations, the day after the assassination and the attendance of
President Prodi at the funeral of Prime Minister Djindjic, strongly condemned this horrible deed and voiced
its strong support for Serbia and Montenegro at this critical junction.

C 78 E/26

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

The Commission is not in a position to comment on ongoing criminal investigations in Serbia. Serbia has
taken decisive action against organized crime and political extremism in recent weeks, which appears to be
bearing fruit.

The Commission immediately reacted by discussing possible further assistance with the authorities,
enhancing the Union’s already very generous support. It is obviously important to do what we can to
underpin the democratic, political and economic reforms necessary for a properly functioning State Union
of Serbia and Montenegro.

As an example of this continued assistance, the Community 2003 Annual Program for Serbia (CARDS (cid:1)
EUR 229 million in 2003), which is in the process of adoption, includes substantial aid for justice and
home affairs and institution building. The Commission has also spelt out possible additional support
measures, including macro-economic financial assistance, technical advice, coordination of Member States’
efforts and enhanced trade opportunities, in a joint letter with Mr Javier Solana sent to Union’s Foreign
Ministers in advance of the General Affairs and External Relations Council of 14 April 2003.

(2004/C 78 E/0028)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1033/03

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(28 March 2003)

Subject: Famine in Africa

The Commission is undoubtedly aware of the recent report from Nairobi in which the FAO points out that
14 million people in Ethiopia (cid:1) out of a total population of 63 million (cid:1) urgently need food aid. So far,
the international organisations fighting famine have only managed to secure 40 % of the minimum
requirement. Even if the ration of cereals per person is cut to 12,5 kilos (cid:1) compared to the 15 kilos
considered necessary for survival (cid:1) stocks will run out by June. In statistical terms, the situation is even
worse in Eritrea, where, out of a total population of 3,5 million, 2 million persons are in need of food,
while current stocks will last until the end of April at best. Meanwhile, more than 28 % of children under
five are suffering from severe malnutrition. Eritrea is also suffering from widespread livestock losses caused
by the devastating drought that has ravaged the country for four years.

In the light of the above, will the Commission say:

1. what aid has been given to Ethiopia and Eritrea?

2.

in the light of the fall in cereal crops (four fifths lower than the average for the last decade), what
measures it has taken or plans to take in cooperation with the FAO to help production to recover?

3. whether it intends to promote the training of farmers in particularly suitable cultivation techniques in

order to help achieve this objective?

4. whether it believes priority should be given to promoting projects to identify and exploit aquifers, in
cooperation with the governments of the drought-affected countries and other international humani-
tarian agencies?

5. whether the Commission is cooperating with charity organisations operating in the African regions

concerned to achieve these goals, in addition to humanitarian aid activities?