WRITTEN QUESTION P-1621/03 by Marco Cappato (NI) to the Council. North Korea's illegal trade in heroin and meta-amphetamines.
Date: 2003-05-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Australia, Japan, North Korea, drug traffic, location of production, maritime transport, report

C 51 E/118

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

26.2.2004

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(10 June 2003)

The Commission recalls the Parliament’s broad support expressed in its Resolution on the Commission
Communication ‘Towards a thematic strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides’, in particular towards the
general approach,
the potential measures presented in the
Communication.

the main objectives, and many of

In this context, the Commission notes in particular the suggestions for additional restrictions and bans of
the use of pesticides in certain areas, such as those close to inhabited zones. The Parliament asks the
Commission to propose such bans before the end of 2003.

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that the numerous detailed comments and
requests contained in the Resolution are being fully considered in the ongoing development of the future
thematic strategy and the proposal to amend Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning
the placing of plant protection products on the market (1). In line with the general wish expressed by the
Parliament and the Council
first evaluate their
environmental, economic, and social impacts. This entails that it will be difficult to present any such
proposal within the time schedule requested by the Parliament.

the Commission will, before proposing measures,

The Commission would like to recall that the exposure of bystanders to plant protection products is
already assessed by Member States and the Commission within the scope of the evaluations of active
substances made under Directive 91/414/EEC, minimising already in this way the risks for workers and
bystanders before the placing on the market of those products.

The Commission agrees that further research into the impacts of pesticides on human health and the
environment is necessary. The Commission recalls that more than 200 projects related to pesticides have
been funded under
research and technological
development. Also within the 6th Community framework programme, a specific chapter is dedicated to
this area to support policy development.

the 5th Community framework programme for

Finally, concerning the request to establish requirements for farmers to disclose publicly the pesticides
which they are using, and to give prior notification before any spraying application, the Commission will
evaluate the impacts, including the potential benefits and costs, of such a measure in its development of
the Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.

(1) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.

(2004/C 51 E/133)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1621/03

by Marco Cappato (NI) to the Council

(8 May 2003)

Subject: North Korea’s illegal trade in heroin and meta-amphetamines

According to a report from the South Korean intelligence services the North Korean authorities have set
up an illegal drugs production unit in the Nanam pharmaceuticals plant. Furthermore, the US State
Department’s annual report on the world drugs trade states that the North Korean regime is illegally
growing opium to be refined into heroin and is producing meta-amphetamines in order to bring in foreign
currency earnings from illegal trading in the drug.

In March, the Japanese police found a large quantity of illegal meta-amphetamines on board a North-
Korean vessel off the Japanese coast. On 21 April the crew of a North Korean vessel appeared before an
Australian court charged with drug smuggling after the Australian authorities had caught the crew
attempting to bring 50 kilograms of heroin into the country.

Is the Council aware of any similar instances in Europe? Has this issue been raised during contacts with the
North Korean authorities?

26.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 51 E/119

Reply

(2 October 2003)

The Council has recently become aware of the reports referred to in the question of DPRK involvement in
drug activities in the Asia/Pacific region. The Council, so far, has not learnt about such incidents in Europe.

The Council has not yet taken any formal position on this particular question. The Council is, in general,
totally opposed to any such drug trafficking in any form. It will continue to monitor the situation.

(2004/C 51 E/134)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1634/03

by Carlos Coelho (PPE-DE) to the Council

(15 May 2003)

Subject: Discrimination on grounds of nationality

The European Community’s development is no longer confined to the economic sphere. The Community
is now made up of 375 million people, who are not merely consumers in a large single market, but also
citizens of the European Union who have the right to move freely within the EU and to settle in any part
of that Union for personal or professional reasons and who hope they can live without fear of being
discriminated against in any way.

I have been contacted by a Portuguese national who has opted for an international career with Shell
Accounting Service in Glasgow, and has been living and working in the United Kingdom (Scotland) for
some two years. He maintains that he has been discriminated against on account of his nationality by the
Halifax Bank (a member of the Bank of Scotland group), which has rejected his request for his bank
account to be ‘upgraded’ on the grounds that this is only possible once a person has been resident in the
country for three years. As an EU citizen, does he not have the same rights and duties as a UK national?

Article 12 of the EC Treaty stipulates that ‘within the scope of this Treaty, and without prejudice to any
special provisions contained therein, any discrimination on grounds of nationality shall be prohibited’.
Does the Council agree that the Halifax Bank’s policy may be considered discriminatory in that it is
contrary to the very essence of the European Union and constitutes a clear violation of the principle of
non-discrimination enshrined in the Treaty?

Reply

(2 October 2003)

The Council agrees with the Honourable Member as to the importance of prohibiting all forms of
discrimination on grounds of nationality, as stipulated in Article 12 of the EC Treaty.

However, it is not for the Council to comment on the situation reported in the question.

(2004/C 51 E/135)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1635/03

by Ioannis Marínos (PPE-DE) to the Council

(15 May 2003)

Subject: Property of non-Muslim communities in Turkey

There are non-Muslim communities in Turkey (Greek Christian Orthodox, Armenians, Jews, Catholics etc.)
with various institutions which own property. For decades, Turkey has pursued a policy (cid:1) using various