WRITTEN QUESTION E-2004/03 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. World Medicines Bank for poor countries.
Date: 2003-06-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: AIDS, action programme, aid policy, health aid, infectious disease, international aid, international organisation, pharmaceutical expenses, right to health

C 88 E/56

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2003)

The Commission is aware of the allegations, published in a report of the ‘Center for Reproductive Rights’
at the beginning of 2003, that Roma women have been sterilised without their consent or with coerced
consent by doctors in Eastern Slovakia. The report also raised other human rights violations such as
discriminatory access to health-care resources and treatment.

As already stated in its answers to questions E-0434/03 of Mr Meijer (1), E-0575/03 of Mrs Maes (2) and
P-1630/03 of Mrs Maes (3), the Commission has immediately addressed this issue in a letter to Slovak
Prime Minister Dzurinda, underlining that these allegations are a matter of serious concern and if proved
to be true, would constitute a serious breach of human rights, provided the public authorities have
supported or tolerated such occurrences or have not taken proper legal actions in this respect. Moreover,
the necessary criminal
the Commission has asked the Slovak authorities to vigorously carry out
investigations, to remedy possible discriminatory measures and to keep the Commission informed about
the proceedings.

In his reply, the Slovak Prime Minister informed the Commission that the competent authorities had
launched the criminal investigations, with a special investigation team being set up. Furthermore, the Roma
advisor to the Ministry of Interior, a Roma himself, had been assigned to consult this team and the
Ministry of Health and the Slovak Gynaecological Society had been closely associated with the
investigations. Furthermore,
the Council of Europe has recently conducted a fact-finding mission to
Eastern Slovakia to look into the sterilisation issue.

The Commission will continue to closely monitor
investigations and will consider further measures, if appropriate and necessary.

the further proceedings and outcome of

the

(1) See page 12.
(2) OJ C 33 E, 6.2.2004, p. 55.
(3) See page 37.

(2004/C 88 E/0061)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2004/03

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: World Medicines Bank for poor countries

(16 June 2003)

An increasingly broad body of opinion is in favour of setting up a World Medicines Bank for developing
countries whose poverty deprives them of even the most basic medicinal products that are taken for
granted in any civilised society.

Those in favour of the setting up of such a bank consider that the current attitude of the rich countries (cid:1)
which, totally absorbed by their quest for growth and wealth, are blind to the urgent need to help a large
section of the world’s population that is suffering from a shortage of medicinal products and is obliged to
live with pain on a daily basis as a result (cid:1) reflects a dismaying lack of solidarity.

What view does the Commission take of the calls by a large section of the world population for the setting
up of a World Medicines Bank, and would it be prepared to take the lead in this matter, at least vis-à-vis
the current and new EU Member States?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(8 August 2003)

The Commission has been and is at the forefront of increasing access to affordable pharmaceutical
products, especially in the fight against human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency
syndrome (HIV/AIDS), malaria and tuberculosis (TB). In 2001 the Commission adopted a Programme for
Action (PfA) entitled Accelerated action on HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB in the context of poverty reduction.

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/57

This action plan aims at increasing the impact of existing interventions, increasing the affordability of key
pharmaceuticals, and encouraging research in and development of specific global public goods to tackle
HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB at the national, regional and global level. This Programme has received more
than EUR 1 billion.

Two years after its adoption the PfA remains a comprehensive, forward looking and coherent Union policy
framework aimed at making a significant contribution towards improved country, regional and global
action against the three communicable diseases. The Commission will continue to work on a long term
approach within the framework of the Doha Declaration on trade related aspects of intellectual property
rights (TRIPS) and Public Health. The Commission will continue to promote tiered pricing, technology
transfer and local production, to facilitate sustained access to affordable medicines. This approach is
complemented by investment in the development of better preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic products
through increased funding through the 6th Research Framework Programme. Furthermore, the Union has
strongly supported the creation of the Global Health Fund, which targets the financing of specific projects:
the Union contributes up to 55 % of the EUR 4,5 billions which are allocated to this Fund.

Given these elements, the Commission does not see the added value of creating new institutions in this
field.

(2004/C 88 E/0062)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2019/03

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(17 June 2003)

Subject: Anti-dumping duty on bicycles imported from China

Early in 1993, the Commission announced its intention to impose an anti-dumping duty on imports of
bicycles originating in the People’s Republic of China. ‘The rate of the duty, applicable to the net free-at-
Community-frontier price, before duty, shall be 34,4 %.’ (IP/93/182 of 11 March 1993). This measure
remains in force until July 2005.

What favourable or unfavourable impact has this measure had on the European bicycle industry?

Does the Commission intend to extend this anti-dumping duty?

If so, can it provide further details?

If not, why not?

If it is decided not to extend the measure, what consequences is this likely to have for the European bicycle
industry?

How will the Commission deal with these consequences?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(15 July 2003)

The proceeding was initiated following a request of the European Bicycle Manufacturers Association
imposed definitive measures by Council Regulation (EEC) No 2474/93 of
(EBMA) and the Council
8 September 1993 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports into the Community of bicycles
originating in the People’s Republic of China and collecting definitively the provisional anti-dumping
duty (1). The rate of duty was fixed at 30,6 %. This duty rate was confirmed following an expiry review
which was concluded by Council Regulation (EC) No 1524/2000 of 10 July 2000 imposing a definitive
anti-dumping duty on imports of bicycles originating in the People’s Republic of China (2). Subsequently,