WRITTEN QUESTION E-2041/03 by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission. Violation of religious freedom in Russia through exclusive cooperation agreements with the Russian Orthodox Church.
Date: 2003-06-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Russia, church-State relations, religious discrimination

C 88 E/620

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, the Commission strongly
supports the view of the Union that Iran must be fully transparent in compliance with this Treaty. In this
context the Commission welcomes the report of the International Atomic Energy Center (IAEA) but notes
with concern that Iran reportedly has failed to fulfil certain of its obligations under the NPT safeguards
agreement. It trusts that Iran will address these shortcomings without delay and hopes that Iran will take
steps to adhere to relevant international instruments to ensure additional transparency.

The Union will keep Iran’s progress in this area under continuous review. Positive measures taken by Iran
in the near future on the question of its nuclear activities, including full transparency, would undoubtedly
help the Trade and Corporation Agreement (TCA) negotiations. The reverse is also true.

(2004/C 88 E/0639)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1902/03

by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 June 2003)

Subject: VAT and the European art market

Does the Commission agree with the conclusions of the study ‘VAT and the European Art Market’
published by the European Fine Art Foundation in 2003? If not, why not? In particular, will it submit a
proposal for a single registration system, as proposed in that study?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(14 July 2003)

The greater part of the study ‘VAT and the European Art market’ is taken up by a detailed guide for art
traders explaining the VAT obligations imposed by Member States. The Commission commends the
European Fine Arts Federation for taking the initiative to collate and publish this information.

Following the adoption of the Directive on the VAT treatment of e-services (1) which is referred to in the
European Fine Art Federation’s study, the Commission is fully committed to the concept of the ‘one stop
shop’ whereby traders would be able to fulfil their tax obligations in the Member State in which they are
established. In this regard, the Commission has commissioned a major study into the obligations faced by
taxable persons who wish to trade in their own and in other Member States. The conclusions of this study
are currently the subject of a public consultation on the ‘Your voice in Europe’ (2) website. The
Commission will take comments received on this consultation into account when drafting a proposal
regarding the simplification of obligations, including registration obligations, which it intends to make in
2004.

(1) Council Directive 2002/38/EC of 7 May 2002 amending and amending temporarily Directive 77/388/EEC as
regards the value added tax arrangements applicable to radio and television broadcasting services and certain
electronically supplied services, OJ L 128, 15.5.2002.
(2) http://europa.eu.int/yourvoice/consultations/index_en.htm

(2004/C 88 E/0640)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2041/03

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(19 June 2003)

Subject: Violation of religious freedom in Russia through exclusive cooperation agreements with the

Russian Orthodox Church

Considering that:

(cid:1) the 1993 Constitution proclaims that Russia is a secular state in which there is no state religion and

religious organisations are separate from the state and equal before the law;

8.4.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/621

(cid:1) the 1997 federal law on religion establishes that religious organisations may not exercise the functions
of state institutions and may not accompany the proceedings of government bodies with religious
ceremonies.

In view of the cooperation agreements concluded by the Russian Orthodox Church:

(cid:1) with the Ministry of Defence in 1997 with a view to ‘working together to revive Orthodox traditions

in the Russian army and navy’,

(cid:1) with the Ministry of Education in August 1999 with a view to ‘educating the young generations in the
in particular, numerous attempts by the Russian Orthodox

spirit of old moral values’ (including,
Church to bolster its influence within the Russian education system),

(cid:1) with the Ministry of Health and the Foreign Ministry on 5 and 6 March 2003 respectively,

(cid:1) with many Russian local authorities,

and given that the constant increase in concordat agreements between the Russian Orthodox Church and
various state bodies, both at federal and at local levels, has conferred on this Church special powers,
thereby discriminating against other religious faiths, and given it special and exclusive access to prisons,
the army, schools and hospitals,

will the Commission state:

(cid:1) whether it is aware of the above cooperation agreements between the Russian Orthodox Church and

the Russian State, discriminating against other religious faiths?

(cid:1) what measures it intends to take to ensure that religious freedom is restored in Russia, as required by

the Russian Constitution and the federal law on religion?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(16 July 2003)

The Commission is aware of the difficult situation facing religious group in Russia.

The EU/Russia partnership is based on fundamental core values, among which is full respect of human
rights. The Commission frequently raises its concerns about the need for Russia to guarantee the full
respect of human rights in the context of our political dialogue.

The Commission will continue to impress upon the Russian authorities that the major international and
European Human Rights conventions that Russia has ratified, which include reference to freedom of
religion or belief, must be complied with. It appears that certain measures grant privileges to the Russian
Orthodox Church as compared with other religions and may therefore be incompatible with the principle
of State neutrality towards religious institutions. In addition to this, it should be recalled that Russia is a
focus country under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights programme, a Commission
programme which aims, inter alia, to promote Human Rights.

(2004/C 88 E/0641)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2224/03

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(2 July 2003)

Subject: Additional Protocol for Nuclear Material Safeguards

In reply to my question H-0867/02 (1) the Commission stated that ‘the Union continues to encourage Iran
to join the International Atomic Energy Agency Additional Protocol for Nuclear Material Safeguards. It
appears that Iran in general has been complying, including accepting inspections of its nuclear sites’.