WRITTEN QUESTION E-2029/03 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Increase in charges for transit visas authorising people travelling between present and future Members States of the EU to enter Serbia.
Date: 2003-06-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, EU relations, EU visa policy, Serbia and Montenegro, admission of aliens, customs, customs formalities

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/381

‘acquis’. Furthermore, the restrictions appear to be contrary to international rules, including those of the
World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Finally and as a matter of principle, restrictive actions within the field of maritime transport run against
standing Union policy considerations for further liberalising the maritime services sector. The Commission
will continue to raise this issue in its bilateral contacts with Turkey.

With regard to ‘acquis’ related questions in the Annan plan, the Commission wishes to recall that the
European Council has repeatedly stated that the Union would accommodate the terms of a settlement of
the Cyprus problem in line with the principles on which the Union is founded. The Commission cannot
prejudge the outcome of negotiations which have to take place between the parties concerned.

(2004/C 88 E/0387)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2029/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(18 June 2003)

Subject: Increase in charges for transit visas authorising people travelling between present and future

Members States of the EU to enter Serbia

1.
Is the Commission aware that up until 2002 transit visas at the borders of the former Yugoslavia
(Serbia and Montenegro) for people in transit from other European countries were issued at a cost of
between 6 and 10 euro and that, on leaving the country, the ‘Turisticka Propusnica’ tourist pass issued
simply had to be handed back to the police without further evidence having to be provided?

2.
Is the Commission also aware that the rules changed in 2003 and that people in transit first have to
pay an amount of EUR 33 to a bank (for instance the Vojvodina Bank at Šid railway station at the Croatian
border) and then take the receipt to the border police office where evidence of payment is issued and a
visa is stuck into the passport and stamped?

Does the Commission know the reasons for this significant price increase and much more time-
3.
consuming procedure? Is it a levy to meet the costs of war damage caused in 1999,
is it a sign of
deteriorating relations with the outside world, or is it a response to new visa requirements imposed by the
EU or its Member States?

How long does the Commission expect this exceptional situation to continue? Are discussions taking
4.
place between the EU and the governments of Serbia or Serbia-Montenegro on these visa regulations and
the way in which they are implemented? If not, why not?

Does the Commission not consider that the EU has an interest in facilitating transit travel by
5.
individuals through Serbia, in view of the fact that road and rail connections between the current and
future EU Member States cross Serbia?

6. What action can the Commission take to reduce the long waiting times for international trains and
the need for passengers to disembark at Serbia’s external borders at stations such as Šid, Subotica,
Dimitrovgrad and Presˇevos?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 2003)

The Commission is very pleased to inform the Honourable Member that the Council of Ministers of Serbia
and Montenegro (SCG) has recently decided to grant to Union citizens, citizens of other states of the
former Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) and of states in the Schengen white list the right
to visa free access to SCG.

C 88 E/382

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

At the same time, the European Council meeting in Thessaloniki in June 2003 has acknowledged ‘the
importance that the peoples of the Western Balkan attach to the perspective of liberalisation of the Union’s
visa regime towards them’. The Commission will hold, within the framework of the Stabilisation and
Association process, discussions with each country regarding the necessary requirements in terms of
reforms in areas such as the strengthening of the rule of law, combatting organised crime, corruption and
illegal immigration and strengthening administrative capacity in border control and security of documents
to take these issues forward.

In particular in Serbia and Montenegro, the Commission is providing special attention to assisting the
authorities in the modernisation of its customs services and border police and to the improvement of its
integrated border management. Over EUR 50 million from the Community Assistance for Reconstruction
Development and Stabilisation (CARDS) programmes to be committed in the 2002-2004 timeframe will
be consecrated to the reform of these services and procedures aiming at achieving European standards.
This assistance will help the administration to facilitate the circulation of people and goods transiting SCG
while at the same time safeguarding the safety and security of citizens not only in Serbia and Montenegro
but in the wider South Eastern region and the Union.

(2004/C 88 E/0388)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2077/03

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(24 June 2003)

Subject: Community support for torture victims

The author of this question has received disturbing information from a number of torture-victim support
agencies to the effect that, in 2002, the amount of funding which had hitherto been made available to
such agencies was reduced by nearly 45 %.

As a consequence of that reduction, approximately 30 rehabilitation centres in 20 or so countries may
have to close or to make drastic cutbacks in the assistance which they provide.

According to the agencies concerned the reduction is attributable to a change in the policy followed by the
Commission, which has apparently decided to place greater emphasis on prevention at the expense of
rehabilitation.

Can the Commission confirm this information?

Is the Commission aware of the harm which has been done by the change in its policy?

Has the Commission any information concerning the amount of funding which will be required if the
rehabilitation projects financed by the Community are to continue?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(6 August 2003)

The reply to written question E-1858/03 by Mr De Rossa (1) provided a comprehensive account of the
situation with respect to funding for rehabilitation activities for torture victims in 2002 and 2003.

Further to that reply, the Commission is currently reflecting on the programming of the European
Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights for 2004 and beyond. A special Non-Governmental
Organisation (NGO) seminar was convened on 14 July 2003 (with attendance also by several Members
of Parliament) in order to canvass views on thematic priorities for future funding, including torture.

(1) See page 48.