WRITTEN QUESTION E-2086/03 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission. Situation of Christians in Egypt.
Date: 2003-06-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Egypt, association agreement (EU), freedom of movement, freedom of religious beliefs, religious discrimination, religious group

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/65

The Honourable Member considers that the annual return required in Italy is very complicated.

According to Article 22 of the 6th VAT Directive, Member States can determine most of the rules
regarding declarations, recapitulative statements and recapitulative declarations.

Provided that certain minimum requirements are respected, Member States are therefore free to determine
the format and content of those declarations.

The Commission is, however, well aware that the complexity and diversity of VAT obligations in the
different Member States may cause serious difficulties for traders, mainly for those who have to account
for VAT in more than one Member State.

It has therefore carried out a comprehensive study on this issue, with a view to making appropriate
proposals in 2004. This study is presently available on the Commission Website (under ‘Your Voice in
Europe’): (3) for public consultation.

(1) OJ L 145, 13.6.1977. Directive as last amended by Council Directive 2002/92/EC of 3 December 2002, OJ L 331,

7.12.2002.

(2) OJ L 15, 17.1.2002.
(3) http://europa.eu.int/yourvoice/index_en.htm

(2004/C 88 E/0070)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2078/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(17 June 2003)

Subject: Portuguese milk quota

In a recent meeting with milk producers in northern Portugal, the author of this question was made aware
of the unfair treatment being inflicted on Portuguese farmers who exceeded the milk quota by the end of
March.

These farmers have been penalised, whereas, by contrast,
agreement has been reached to settle the problems of Italian farmers in the same situation.

it has just been reported in Italy that an

Can the Commission provide information on the specific conditions of the Italian agreement and state
what measures it plans or intends to take to remedy the unfair treatment of the Portuguese farmers?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 July 2003)

The question would seem to refer to a decision taken by the Council on its own initiative, under the
special procedure provided for in the third subparagraph of Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty, and falls
outside the competence of the Commission. The question should therefore be addressed to the Council.

(2004/C 88 E/0071)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2086/03

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(24 June 2003)

Subject: Situation of Christians in Egypt

Is the Commission aware of the persecutions faced by the Christian minority in Egypt? Converts from
Islam to Christianity have,
in particular, been reported to have been prevented from registering their
change of faith on their passport, and thus from leaving the country.

Is the Commission taking any steps to ensure that there is freedom of worship for Egyptian Christians?

C 88 E/66

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(9 July 2003)

The Commission is aware of problems
faced by the substantial Egyptian Christian community.
The Commission has met with members of the Coptic hierarchy on several occasions to discuss them,
and have also closely followed incidents involving violence against Christians.

On the issue of converts to Christianity and freedom of movement, the Commission is following this
question up through its delegation in Cairo. Its preliminary information is that information on religion is
not mentioned on passports, although this may arise in the case of identity cards.

As part of the Barcelona process, the Egyptian Government is committed to the fundamental principles
relating to human rights and democracy. This is reflected in the text of the Association Agreement in the
process of ratification. Questions relating to human rights, including religious freedom, are dealt with as
part of the political dialogue between the Union and Egypt, in which the Commission plays its full part.
Human rights were discussed at the Union-Egypt ministerial meeting on 16/17 June 2003.

(2004/C 88 E/0072)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2089/03

by José Gil-Robles Gil-Delgado (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 June 2003)

Subject: Clarification concerning the budget line for non-governmental organisations involved in combat-

ing torture

The European Parliament has supported victims of torture all over the world since 1993. Two budget
headings were created for this purpose (cid:1) one for third countries (B7-70) and another for the European
Union (B5-813). Thanks to aid from the European Union, programmes of assistance have been maintained
and developed in most countries of the world, both for victims of torture in those countries themselves
and for refugees and asylum-seekers.

The Commission has decided to step up its efforts in this area and we in the European Parliament back its
decision, but we are aware that the initiative is having an immediate effect on the situation of existing
victims, since no new funding has been allocated for them, resulting in the closure of many centres which
were dependent on such funding.

What is the actual impact of this change in policy? Are assistance and prevention two separate strategies?
What is the scope of the decision? Is European Union funding sufficient for prevention and assistance or
should the present figure be increased? What is envisaged with regard to this funding?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 2003)

The Commission decided to adopt a more strategic approach to funding channelled through the European
Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) and the Commission’s Communication on Human
Rights and Democratisation of May 2001 (1) identified four thematic priorities for future EIDHR support,
including the prevention of torturer and the rehabilitation of torture victims. In line with the need to focus
limited funds more effectively, the Communication also underlined that the Union should seek to focus as
much as possible on the prevention of torture. The subsequent programming document for the European
funding would be
Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR)
re-oriented in the direction of prevention of torture in the longer term.

in 2002-2004 noted that

The reduction in funds for rehabilitation centres has been accompanied by measures designed to reduce
existing dependency on Community funding in a progressive fashion, with the aim of enabling centres to
look for funds from other sources. For example, the 2001 call reduced the maximum percentage support