WRITTEN QUESTION P-2273/03 by Pietro-Paolo Mennea (NI) to the Commission. 2006 Turin Winter Olympics — ice rink — asbestos.
Date: 2003-07-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, Olympic games, application of EU law, asbestos, environmental protection, public health, sports facilities, waste management

C 51 E/234

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

26.2.2004

In the face of the continuing oppression of the whole Laotian people and of the even crueller oppression
of the Hmong people, does the Commission not agree that the European Union should inform the
authorities in Vientiane of its intention to suspend all its cooperation programmes if the authorities do not
introduce substantial democratic reforms as a matter of urgency?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2003)

The Commission is fully committed to emphasising the need to strengthen respect for human rights in
Laos,
including freedom of expression, assembly, association and religion as well as the adherence to
international human rights conventions.

As regards the recent trial against the two European journalists, their American interpreter and three
Laotian Hmong, the Commission is of the view that the trial itself was not up to international standards
the accused was surprisingly harsh considering the evidence presented. The
and the sentencing of
Commission is, nevertheless, happy that a diplomatic solution was found to enable the release of the three
Westerners.

As regards the overall human rights situation in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), the Commission
has raised several concerns, including the question of the five leaders of the ‘26 October movement’, with
the Government of Laos on numerous occasions, unfortunately with limited results so far. The
Commission will be examining all aspects of the human rights situation in Laos,
including possible
responses from the Community side, in view of the next Commission-Laos Joint Committee scheduled for
this autumn and will report back to the Parliament when appropriate.

In the meantime, the Commission maintains a cohesive policy of constructive political dialogue with the
Laotian Government, paired with continued support to the Laotian population through Community-
assisted development programmes, which aims to support and accelerate the democratisation process in
the country.

The suspension of aid until basic human rights are respected should be considered as a last resort, as it
would be likely to impact badly on the populations whose rights are violated.

(2004/C 51 E/254)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2273/03

by Pietro-Paolo Mennea (NI) to the Commission

Subject: 2006 Turin Winter Olympics (cid:1) ice rink (cid:1) asbestos

(7 July 2003)

According to reports published in Italian national newspapers, asbestos has been found near Turin, on the
site of the future ice rink, a sports facility to be built for the 2006 Winter Olympics. The noxious mineral
is buried just 30 centimetres deep and mixed with crushed stone and fragments of glass and metal.

Tests carried out by the appropriate bodies have confirmed the presence of asbestos (chrysotile, crocidolite,
and amosite), and,
indeed, the councillor to whom responsibility for the Winter Olympics has been
delegated has said that asbestos has been found in the neighbourhood of Lingotto, where the ice rink is
shortly to be built. The public prosecutor’s office to which the case has been assigned has opened an
investigation.

In the light of the foregoing, will the Commission take steps to ascertain whether the above information is
true and whether the quantity of asbestos detected exceeds the limits allowed by the laws in force and
could harm the public? Furthermore, will it check whether the appropriate bodies are decontaminating the
area concerned and determine which parties, if any, are to blame?

26.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 51 E/235

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(6 August 2003)

The Commission does not have any knowledge of the presence of asbestos near the future ice-rink in the
neighbourhood of Lingotto. From the information given in the question submitted by the Honourable
Member it appears that the material is waste that has been deposited.

The management of waste must be done in accordance with Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July
1975 on waste (1). In particular, Article 4 requires Member States to take the necessary measures to ensure
that waste is recovered or disposed of without endangering human health and without using processes or
methods which could harm the environment.

The Commission will take the appropriate steps in order to gather detailed information on the issue raised
by the Honourable Member and to ensure, within the limits conferred on it by the EC Treaty, the
compliance with Community law.

it will not hesitate, as the guardian of the EC Treaty, to take all necessary measures,

Should the Commission come to the conclusion that Community law is being breached in the specific
including
case,
infringement procedures under Article 226 of the EC Treaty,
in order to ensure the compliance with
relevant Community law.

(1) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975, as amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC, OJ L 78, 26.3.1991.

(2004/C 51 E/255)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2292/03

by Philip Claeys (NI) to the Commission

(11 July 2003)

Subject: Visit to China by Commissioner Lamy

On 13 June 2003 Commissioner Pascal Lamy left for China to hold talks on closer cooperation between
the European Union and that country. He met, among others, the Prime Minister, Jiabao Wen, the Minister
for Trade, Lu Fuyuan, and the Minister with responsibility for supervising quarantine arrangements, Li
Changjiang.

To what extent did the Commissioner make the expansion of trade relations with China contingent on
improvements in the human rights situation?

What undertakings with regard to human rights have Chinese Government representatives given following
Mr Lamy’s visit? How does the Commissioner assess those undertakings?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(7 August 2003)

The sole objective of the visit to China on 13 and 14 June by the Member of the Commission responsible
for Trade was to discuss trade issues with the new Chinese government: multilateral trade issues and closer
cooperation with China on the Doha agenda; bilateral trade issues, including China’s implementation of its
commitments in connection with its accession to the WTO and the settlement of specific problems such as
Chinese health and plant health measures against European exports.

The human rights issue was therefore not broached on this visit. However, it is at the very core of the EU’s
relations with China. The EU’s concerns on this matter are regularly raised, notably at meetings forming
part of the political dialogue with China. In addition, the Union has been conducting a structured dialogue
since 1997 on human rights with China. Every six months this provides the opportunity to reiterate these
concerns and encourage China to make improvements in terms of respect and promotion of human rights
in that country.