WRITTEN QUESTION E-1780/03 by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission. Conclusions from the Round Table on Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
Date: 2003-05-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European conference, Islam, anti-discriminatory measure, antisemitism, religious discrimination, xenophobia

21.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 280 E/181

As part of the Lisbon Strategy, the Commission is keen to promote the development of these
2.
technologies under the Union’s Strategy and Action Plan for the Life Sciences and Biotechnology. This
includes making financial support available under the Sixth Framework Programme (6th FP) as well as
numerous other actions to facilitate development of
these technologies in Europe. The successive
Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development (RTD) have supported research in
this area. During the period 1993-2002, bio-based product research (excluding bio-energy and forest
industry) has received a total Union investment of nearly EUR 190 million on 173 projects involving over
1000 partners of which 40 % were from industry, mostly SMEs. Details can be found on the Bio-Mat web
site: http://www.nf-2000.org/home.html and http://www.biomatnet.org. Moreover,
support continues
under the 6th FP and tenders for project funding can be placed under Priority 3: ‘Nano-technology and
nano-sciences, knowledge-based multifunctional materials, new production processes and devices’. The use
of biological raw materials and biological processes in industry, as opposed to minerals and chemical
processes, can provide benefits, such as reductions in resource use,
less toxic waste or less energy
consumption, and can be profitable for companies. This concept, now known as ‘White Biotechnology’, is
being promoted as a policy priority also by organisations such as the OECD (with Community support).

3.
At this stage of the activities the focus of the RRM working group is on actual measures that are
directly effective to further promoting the industry. Against this background use is first and foremost made
of what exists already. Examples are the development of an Union Eco-label for bio-lubricants or the
addressing of specific RRM requirements in the amending of other policies and measures such as the
packaging and waste legislation. Furthermore, the working group explores ways and means on how to set
up an Union wide information platform on and for RRM industry and on how best to guarantee that for
instance RRM based polymers would comply with certain standards on bio-degradability. As far as energy
use of renewable raw materials is concerned it is worth mentioning that the recently approved Directive
on the promotion of the use of biofuels for transport (2003/30/EC) calls for a 5,75 % increase of the share
of biofuels in transport fuel by 2010. In the very long run, as fossil resources become increasingly scarce,
the use of renewable raw materials can be expected to become more commercially viable.

the Life Sciences and Biotechnology. This

The Commission is seeking to stimulate the development of industrial technologies through the
4.
the
Union’s Strategy and Action Plan for
interdependence between industrial biotechnology and other sets of applications (medical, agricultural,
environmental as well as of platform technologies such as bio-informatics). Although a few of the actions
in the 30-point action plan are specific to problems faced by other sets of applications, most should be
effective in stimulating the development and use of industrial biotechnology and tackling the problems
that it faces. The Union’s Strategy and Action Plan is highly dynamic, promoting actions not only by the
Commission but also by a wide variety of authorities and other organisations at different levels of decision-
making.

recognises

(2003/C 280 E/198)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1780/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(28 May 2003)

Subject: Conclusions from the Round Table on Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia

What conclusions has the Commission drawn from the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and
Xenophobia and European Commission Round Table on Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia held in Brussels
on 21 March 2003?

C 280 E/182

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

21.11.2003

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(25 June 2003)

The Member of the Commission responsible for Employment and Social Affairs requested the European
Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia in 2002 to organise, with the co-operation of Directorate
General (DG) Employment and Social Affairs, a series of Round Table meetings on Islamophobia and anti-
Semitism in Europe. Three meetings took place on anti-Semitism (5 December 2002),
Islamophobia
(6 February 2003) and Intercultural Dialogue (20 March 2003). The Member of the Commission called for
these Round Table meetings as she was concerned about the growing evidence of discrimination against
Jewish and Muslim communities in Europe in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the United States on
11 September 2001. The Member of the Commission also wished to explore how far intercultural and
inter-religious dialogue in Europe could contribute to lessening tensions between communities.

The three Round Tables brought together in total over 100 high-level experts, including religious leaders,
academics, journalists and non-governmental organisations, from across Europe to discuss the problems
facing religious minorities in Europe today.

together with the Commission, a conference report
The Monitoring Centre is currently preparing,
containing summaries of the three Round Table meetings and written contributions of key speakers.
Although a wide range of views and opinions were expressed during the three discussions, the aim of this
report is to draw out the themes and issues which recurred across all three meetings,
including in
particular the importance of action at local level, of the balanced portrayal of religious minorities in the
media, and of the vital role of education in promoting tolerance and respect. This report will be used to
disseminate to a wider audience the results of the discussions.

(2003/C 280 E/199)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1787/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(28 May 2003)

Subject: Open coordinated method

What is the view of the Commission on the Report of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee on
the ‘open coordination method’ (A5-0143/2003 (cid:1) Smet, EPP-ED, B)?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(27 June 2003)

The Commission would ask the Honourable Member to consult the results of the discussion on the Smet
Report which was held during the plenary sitting of 4 June 2003.

(2003/C 280 E/200)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1793/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(28 May 2003)

Subject: Cervical cancer screening practices

What information does the Commission have on the variation in cervical cancer screening practices in EU
countries?