WRITTEN QUESTION E-2244/03 by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission. Wild birds directive in Malta.
Date: 2003-07-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Malta, accession to the European Union, bird, national implementing measure, protection of animal life, wildlife

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/75

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(9 September 2003)

The Commission is aware of the statement made by Angolan Deputy Prime Minister Aguinaldo Jaime and
welcomes the government’s commitment towards more budgetary transparency. The cabinet reshuffle in
December 2002, in which a new economic team moved into government, gave hope for more transparent
economic and financial management. However, experiences in the past have not been positive and it
remains to be seen whether real improvements will actually come about.

The international community, including the Commission, continues to urge the government to embrace
transparent budgetary management, in particular of oil and diamond revenues and provides support for
this. Thus, during his visit to Angola in January 2003 in meetings with government representatives and
President dos Santos, the Member of the Commission in charge of Development and Cooperation explicitly
emphasised the need for a transparent management of the revenues of the country’s vast natural resources
to the benefit of all Angolans. He furthermore underlined that such action would also contribute to a
stable and predictable environment, which is a prerequisite to attract urgently needed foreign investment.

A programme to assist the government in managing public expenditure and improving the management of
oil and tax revenues forms part of the World Bank’s Transitional Support Strategy (TSS) for post-war
Angola. The EC/Angola co-operation strategy 2002-2007, which was signed during the visit of the
Member of the Commission in charge of Development and Cooperation in January, also contains a
component targeting the improvement of financial management.

The Commission and the international community have repeatedly underlined that an improvement of
Angola’s relationship with the International Monetary Union (IMF), which includes progress in trans-
parency and accountability, would be essential
the donors’ conference on the
reconstruction of Angola, a second vital element being a credible poverty reduction strategy. If Angola is
indeed able to honour the commitment made by the Deputy Prime Minister, this will have a positive
bearing on the country’s relationship with the IMF and thus facilitate the holding of the conference.

for the success of

(2004/C 88 E/0082)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2244/03

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 July 2003)

Subject: Wild birds directive in Malta

Beyond the transition agreement for the trapping of finches, is the Commission satisfied that Malta will be
able to comply with the Wild Birds Directive 79/409/EEC (1) from the date of its accession to the EU? If the
Commission is not satisfied that Malta will be able to comply, what action does it intend to take?

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(4 August 2003)

The Commission will continue to monitor legislative progress made by Malta and other Acceding
Countries till 1 May 2004. This analysis will be reflected in the comprehensive monitoring report that will
be published in November 2003.

When Malta becomes a member of the Union, the Commission will verify that Council Directive 79/409/
EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds has been correctly transposed as it does for all
Member States. Should Malta not comply with the Directive then the Commission will consider the action
to be taken on the basis of the EC Treaty provisions.