WRITTEN QUESTION E-1928/03 by Maria Carrilho (PSE) to the Commission. Aid to uprooted people in Asia and Latin America: revision of Regulation (EC) No 2130/2001 of 29 October 2001.
Date: 2003-06-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Asia, EU aid, Latin America, aid policy, aid to refugees, regulation (EU)

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/51

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(8 July 2003)

The Commission reaffirms its commitment to supporting tourism development as a way to achieve
economic development and poverty reduction. Reference should be made, in this respect, to the Cotonou
Agreement, where the role of tourism is clearly stated: (Article 24: ‘Co-operation programmes and projects
will support the efforts of ACP countries to establish and improve the countries legal and institutional
framework and resources for the development and implementation of sustainable tourism policies and
programmes, as well as, inter alia, improve the competitive position of the sector, especially small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), investment support and promotion, product development including the
development of indigenous cultures in ACP countries, and strengthening linkages between tourism and
other sectors of economic activity’). These are the areas in which the Commission supports the efforts of
the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

With specific reference to the Caribbean region, the average gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is
about EUR 4 500 and two countries fall in the category of Least Developed Countries (LDC). The poverty
level is high in countries like Haiti, Guyana, Dominican Republic and Jamaica, representing more than
85 % of the regional population. The countries in the upper middle income category of developing
countries, on the other hand, represent only 3,5 %. Furthermore, the Caribbean economies are highly
dependent on tourism, which represents directly and indirectly about 900 000 jobs; their income from
tourism is very volatile and their economies are very fragile.

The Commission considers that an effective support to tourism development in ACP countries, and in this
specific case in the Caribbean region, can contribute to socio-economic development in these regions, and
then to a more inclusive and cohesive world economy. Its present policy for tourism development in the
Caribbean is aimed at that target.

The limited resources made available by the Commission for tourism development in the Caribbean,
presently representing only 3 % of total tourism arrivals, and still a niche market, do not seem such as to
undermine the perspectives of European destinations. These perspectives need to be strengthened by
means of adequate efforts, undertaken both by private and public actors, to innovate, improve the quality
and differentiation of the products offered, market the products in an effective way, and certainly not
simply by protecting the sector and limiting our support to developing countries.

(2004/C 88 E/0054)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1928/03

by Maria Carrilho (PSE) to the Commission

(13 June 2003)

Subject: Aid to uprooted people in Asia and Latin America: revision of Regulation (EC) No 2130/2001 of

29 October 2001

that

Given the need to avoid any interruption in the aid to uprooted people in Asia and Latin America and the
fact
terrorist attacks, when all donors had reduced their
contributions, the Commission, to its credit, sent out a positive signal concerning its strategy by increasing
the amounts earmarked for this specific aid, would the Commission answer the following questions:

to the September

in 2001, prior

As the current Regulation (EC) No 2130/2001 (1) of 29 October 2001 is due to expire on 31 December
2004, does the Commission intend to submit a proposal to extend the regulation? If so, when?

(1) OJ L 287, 31.10.2001, p. 3.

C 88 E/52

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(4 July 2003)

In July 2002, the Commission adopted a proposal for a ‘Regulation of the European Parliament and of the
Council concerning Community co-operation with Asian and Latin American countries’ (1). This proposal
has been submitted to the Parliament and the Council and is currently under discussion.

With a view to reducing the number of legal bases, the proposed Regulation also covers Community
assistance to uprooted people and will, when adopted, repeal Regulation (EC) No 2130/2001 of the
Parliament and of the Council of 29 October 2001 on operations to aid uprooted people in Asian and
Latin American developing countries.

Should the adoption of the ‘Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning
Community co-operation with Asian and Latin American countries’ be delayed, there would be a risk that
the new Regulation would not enter into force before 31 December 2004. In that event the Commission
would submit a proposal to extend the period of application of Regulation (EC) No 2130/2001. This
proposal for extending the current Regulation would be introduced sufficiently early so as to ensure
continuity of assistance to uprooted people.

(1) OJ C 331 E, 31.12.2002.

(2004/C 88 E/0055)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1949/03

by Christa Randzio-Plath (PSE) to the Commission

(13 June 2003)

Subject: TEKEL alcohol monopoly

Imports of beer and spirits into Turkey currently face considerable difficulties since, despite the EC-Turkey
Association Council of 22 December 1995 on implementation of the final phase of the customs union,
Turkey has still not abolished the TEKEL alcohol monopoly. It is true that the alcohol laws were modified
one year ago but, firstly, the implementing regulation for the import sector has to my knowledge not yet
been adopted and, secondly, it would not anyway be sufficient since, according to existing plans, imports
independent of TEKEL are to be allowed only upwards of a specific minimum volume.

1. What is the current state of the EU’s negotiations with Turkey on proper implementation of the
customs agreement in respect of the import of alcoholic drinks and, in particular, what is the position of
the Turkish Government regarding the Commission’s call in the autumn of 2001 for it to ensure prompt
implementation of the obligations arising out of the customs union agreement for the trade in alcoholic
drinks?

2.
Does the existing draft of the implementing regulation for the import sector constitute, in the view
of the Commission, adequate implementation of the legislation on liberalisation of the market in alcohol
and alcoholic drinks when measured against the objective of opening up the Turkish market to alcoholic
drinks?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(25 July 2003)

The Commission confirms the Honourable Member’s assertion that the TEKEL monopoly has not been
abolished by Turkey. However, under Decision 1/95 of the Community-Turkey Association Council (1),
Turkey is only obliged to make changes to the monopoly so as to ensure that no discrimination exists
regarding the conditions under which goods are procured and marketed between Member States and
Turkey.