WRITTEN QUESTION E-2223/03 by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission. Secret European Union agreements with third parties on nuclear power.
Date: 2003-07-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: China, Iran, agreement (EU), confidentiality, cooperation policy, energy policy, nuclear energy, weapon of mass destruction

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/73

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(10 July 2003)

The commitment of the Commission to the promotion of human rights forms a central part to all
bi-lateral agreements. The process of safeguarding and ensuring human rights is institutionalised under the
‘democratic clause’ which forms a central part of the Union-Mexico relations governed by the Agreement
on Economic Partnership, Political Co-ordination and Co-operation (Global Agreement), which came into
force on 1 October 2000 and which is founded on three pillars: political, cooperation and trade.

The institutional framework established in the Agreement is, at present, the forum where an open and
productive political dialogue takes place at all
levels: presidential, ministerial and high ranking civil
servants. This allows the Union to exchange points of view concerning, among other bilateral and
multilateral issues and the evolution of human rights in both parties. The Commission considers that this
arrangement is satisfactory and is not pursuing, at this stage, the adoption of additional measures in this
area.

In September 2002 Mexico ratified the Inter-American Convention on Forced Disappearance of Persons.
While the Commission commends Mexico’s ratification of this Convention, as it was drawn up by the
Organisation of American States, the Commission has no direct power of enforcement. However, it uses
the existing mechanisms to exchange views, and when necessary, to encourage its partners to respect and
implement at all levels the different human rights related agreements and conventions. In this context, the
Commission has been encouraged by the attempts of President Fox to bring issues of human rights to the
forefront of his political agenda and to bring those accountable for past crimes to justice. Whereas the
Commission recognises certain shortcomings in the judicial system, the Commission will endeavour to
support, where possible, any reform that establishes a more credible, transparent and functioning judicial
system. In this area, a Union co-operation project of the reform of the judicial system in Mexico will start
in the second half of 2003.

While the Commission is aware of certain levels of impunity and the continuation of human rights
violations, it is hoped that greater political dialogue and focussed co-operation in this area will ensure that
Mexico’s ongoing struggle to reform is successful.

(2004/C 88 E/0080)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2223/03

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(2 July 2003)

Subject: Secret European Union agreements with third parties on nuclear power

According to the ‘European Voice’ of 12 June 2003, last week the Council approved a secret agreement
with China on nuclear power. The same newspaper also reports that the agreement will rule out the use of
nuclear installations to construct weapons of mass destruction.

Can the Commission confirm whether it is aware of the existence of this agreement?

Can it make this agreement public or explain why it will not do so?

Can it explain how it is possible to ensure that an agreement of this kind will not have implications as
regards the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction?

Can it establish that no similar agreement has been concluded with Iran?

Can it supply the minutes of the meetings which it held with leading figures from the Iranian regime as
part of the ‘constructive dialogue’ on energy?

C 88 E/74

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(7 August 2003)

There is no secret agreement on nuclear energy with either China or with Iran.

The Council adopted on 11 June 2003 negotiation directives for a future Euratom-China agreement.
This agreement will be focused on research and its main objective should be to facilitate Chinese research
institutions to have an access to the 6th Euratom Framework Programme (FP6) similar to the one they
have to the overall 6th Framework Programme (EC FP6). The Chinese have always indicated that they are
interested only in a research agreement and this view is shared by Members States who unanimously
approved the directives.

There is no Euratom-Iran agreement and there is no draft for negotiation directives for such an agreement.
Nevertheless, the Commission would like to recall that Iran is party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and
that there is a full scope Safeguards Agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA), which entered into force on 15 May 1974. For the time being, there is no Additional Protocol on
strengthening safeguards between Iran and the IAEA.

The Commission is negotiating a Trade and Co-operation Agreement with Iran linked to parallel
negotiations on an Agreement on political dialogue and fight against terrorism. These negotiations could
lead to the first contractual agreement between the EU and the Islamic Republic, and could pave the way
for closer economic and political ties. The EU pursues a comprehensive dialogue approach in its relations
with Iran, covering bilateral, regional and global issues, including matters of human rights, terrorism and
non-proliferation.

Since 1999, the Commission has been discussing non-nuclear energy issues in a high-level working group.
Detailed information on the last meeting of the EU-Iran energy working group in October 2002 is
available at the web-site of the Commission (1).

(1) http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy_transport/en/enlarg_2_en.html

(2004/C 88 E/0081)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2229/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(2 July 2003)

Subject: Oil revenue, Angola, transparency

According to a press release from the NGO Global Witness, issued on 20 June 2003, the Deputy Prime
Minister of Angola, Aguinaldo Jaime, has given significant public commitments regarding the future
transparency of revenue from oil exploration off the Angolan coast.

The relevant excerpt from the press release from Global Witness reads as follows: ‘In the past, we had off-
budget transactions, so the budget lacked credibility,’Angolan Deputy Prime Minister Aguinaldo Jaime said
in a speech at an oil industry conference in London.‘For the first time in Angola’s history, the budget will
encompass all revenue and that will send to the donor community the signal
the Angolan
Government is committed to a fully transparent way of managing the budget.’
‘Jaime clarified that these
figures will include all the country’s oil revenues.’

that

Is the Commission aware of these statements by the Deputy Prime Minister, Aguinaldo Jaime?

Is it aware of other similar undertakings given by the Angolan Government?

Bearing in mind the positions already expressed in this regard by the Council and Commission, as well as
by other international bodies, does the Commission have any firm information that commitments of this
nature given by the Angolan Government are already being acted on or will be put into effect very
shortly? In the Commission’s view, what impact might positive developments in this key political and
financial dossier have on the planned (cid:1) and constantly postponed (cid:1) Donors’ Conference aimed at
supporting the country’s reconstruction?