WRITTEN QUESTION E-2211/03 by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission. Progress on asylum at Thessaloniki.
Date: 2003-07-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU migration policy, admission of aliens, aid to refugees, international cooperation, right of asylum

C 78 E/400

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 2003)

As indicated in its initial reply, the Commission has contacted the Portuguese authorities in order to check
the allegations concerning a possible labelling error on items placed on the Portuguese market containing
chrysotile asbestos (which was added intentionally).

After conducting an investigation of the sector concerned, the Portuguese authorities have informed the
Commission that they have not discovered any asbestos-based items on the Portuguese market which have
been wrongly labelled or whose labels infringed the Community provisions in force.

As a result, on the basis of the information in its possession, the Commission cannot at present support
the argument that Portuguese items containing chrysotile asbestos have been incorrectly labelled.

(2004/C 78 E/0422)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2211/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(2 July 2003)

Subject: Progress on asylum at Thessaloniki

Will the Commission please give its view on the progress made on the issue of asylum at the Thessaloniki
Summit, particularly with regard to UK proposals to create ‘zones of protection’ to process asylum
applications on or close to the borders of refugee producing countries?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(25 July 2003)

The Commission regrets that the deadline (June 2003) for adoption of a Council Directive on minimum
standards for the qualification and status of third country nationals and stateless persons as refugees or as
persons who otherwise need international protection (1), set out at
the Seville European Council
(21/22 June 2002), has not been met. Therefore,
it welcomes the re-affirmation by the Thessaloniki
European Council of its determination to ensure adoption, before the end of 2003, of this legislation. It also
warmly welcomes the confirmation of the deadline for adoption before the end of 2003, of a Council
Directive on asylum procedures.

The Commission fully shares the urgency expressed by Heads of State and Governments for the Union for
finalising the first phase of the establishment of a Common European Asylum System. The Commission
will co-operate with the Presidency and the Member States’ delegations to ensure that the deadline is met.
The Commission also notes that the Council and the Commission have been invited to examine the
possibilities to further reinforce asylum procedures with a view to accelerating as much as possible the
processing of non-international protection-related applications.

The Commission is pleased with the request to explore all parameters in order to ensure more orderly and
managed entry in the Union of persons in need of international protection and to examine ways and
means to enhance the protection capacity of regions of origin. A comprehensive report will be brought
forward before June 2004 as invited by the European Council. To prepare this report, the Commission will
draw on its March 2003 Communication on the common asylum policy and the Agenda for protection (2)
and its June 2003 Communication: ‘Towards more accessible, equitable and managed asylum systems’ (3).

The Commission will also bear in mind conclusion No 11 of
the conclusions on migration and
development adopted by the General Affairs and External Relations Council of 19 May 2003, where it was
invited to consider ways to strengthen the reception capacity of developing countries, taking account of

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/401

both their financial and institutional capacities and of the fact that refugees can put considerable strain on
their social and political structures, and to elaborate further on the use of development cooperation in the
search of durable solutions for refugees, in voluntary return and reintegration as well as local integration,
and to develop concrete proposals on how more aid could be directed towards assisting refugees in the
region, while targeting poverty reduction in host communities. In doing so, the Commission will pay
particular attention to the implementation of the UNHCR Agenda for Protection adopted in October 2002
with a view to strengthen and modernise international protection and focus on three priorities: access to
protection, durable solutions and better responsibility sharing with third countries.

In its various Communications, the Commission has stated that a legal base was needed for the proper
implementation of Budget line ‘Co-operation with Third Countries in the area of Migration (B7-667)’. The
Commission has brought forward a proposal for a Regulation of the Parliament and the Council to that
end which would establish a programme for financial and technical assistance to third countries in the area
of migration and asylum (4). The Commission recommends the Parliament examine this proposal as soon
as possible.

(1) OJ C 51 E, 26.2.2002.
(2) COM(2003) 152 final.
(3) COM(2003) 315 final.
(4) COM(2003) 355 final.

(2004/C 78 E/0423)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2212/03

by Piia-Noora Kauppi (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(2 July 2003)

Subject: Increasing EU citizens’ opportunities

for

influence and participation through interactive

information technology

During its Presidency, the Greek government has successfully promoted interactive eDemocracy by means
of its eVote initiative. 170 000 citizens expressed their views by eVote on how they thought the European
Union should develop. One particularly positive feature of this eVote initiative was that the Greek
government, current holders of
the Presidency, are incorporating feedback from citizens into their
everyday business. Citizens’ opinions and suggestions will flow directly and immediately to EU-level
meetings, negotiations and decision-making.

It would be a pity if the eVote initiative did not continue in one form or another in years to come. Hence
my question to the Commission:

Has the Commission considered how the eVote initiative could become a regular way of collecting citizens’
opinions on EU issues, thus giving decision-makers direct knowledge of EU citizens’ hopes and initiatives?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2003)

The eVote initiative of the Greek Presidency reflects a common endeavour to involve citizens in shaping
European decisions which impact them, by making full use of new communication technologies. The
Commission has actively pursued such involvement, for example, through ‘Your Voice in Europe’ (1) which
is a ‘single access point’ for European citizens for consultations, discussions and other participation tools
such as Citizen Signpost Service. This portal was developed under the Interactive Policy Making (IPM)
initiative and launched on the 16 January 2003, further to the White Paper on Governance (2) and as part
of the e-Commission initiative. It also contributes to the implementation of the Commission’s ‘General
Principles and minimum standards for the consultation of interested parties’ (3).