WRITTEN QUESTION E-2304/03 by Emma Bonino (NI) to the Commission. Opening of a European Commission delegation in Yemen.
Date: 2003-07-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Commission Delegation, Yemen, democratisation, political cooperation, rule of law

C 88 E/76

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

(2004/C 88 E/0083)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2303/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(8 July 2003)

Subject: Cuba (cid:1) European Commission delegation (cid:1) human rights

Since the EU has decided to:

(a) urge the Cuban authorities to free all political prisoners;

(b)

limit the number of high-level bilateral meetings with Cuban dignitaries;

(c)

reduce the level of participation by the Member States in cultural events;

(d)

invite Cuban dissidents to participate in ceremonies marking their national days;

(e)

reassess its joint position vis-à-vis Cuba,

can the Commission say:

(cid:1) whether those responsible for running its delegation have already been fully accredited with the Cuban

authorities;

(cid:1) how the delegation in Cuba has implemented the EU decisions concerning that country; in particular
whether the delegation has invited Cuban dissidents to take part in activities promoted in accordance
with the recommendation made to the embassies of the Member States;

(cid:1) what steps the delegation has taken or intends to take vis-à-vis the Cuban government to inform it of
the Member States’ decisions and its concern about and opposition to the government’s totalitarian
methods;

(cid:1) what issues it considers should be reassessed in the EU’s joint position regarding Cuba?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2003)

The Commission’s Delegation in Cuba is run by a Chargé d’Affaires a.i., under the responsibility of the
Head of Delegation in the Dominican Republic, who must also be accredited as Head of Delegation in
Cuba. The Cuban Government gave its agreement on 14 April 2003 to his appointment. The date for the
presentation of the credentials of the Head of Delegation has yet to be fixed.

The Commission’s Delegation in Cuba is fully associated with the implementation of the measures adopted
by the Union on Cuba. The Delegation did invite dissidents to the reception organised for Europe Day on
9 May 2003. It participated in the two ‘troika’ démarches in Havana during the last months to inform the
Cuban Government of the Union’s decisions and to call for the immediate release of imprisoned dissidents.

The re-evaluation of the Union’s Common Position has just been concluded.

(2004/C 88 E/0084)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2304/03

by Emma Bonino (NI) to the Commission

(14 July 2003)

Subject: Opening of a European Commission delegation in Yemen

Although the President of the Commission gave an undertaking, during a visit to Brussels by the president
of the Republic of Yemen about three years ago, that a proper Commission delegation would be opened in
Sana’a in the near future, and although Yemen is a country of strategic importance for the Union from
various points of view, the Union is still only represented there via the head of the delegation in Amman.

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/77

In view of the progressive consolidation of the rule of law and democratic principles in the country,
demonstrated by the recent elections, which were held in a regular manner, and since these values may be
strengthened and spread from Yemen throughout the region,

Does the Commission not consider that the time has come to act on the promises made and open a
Commission delegation in Sanaa?

Does the Commission not consider that this would help to encourage the Yemeni authorities to continue
along the road of consolidating democracy and the rule of law?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(16 September 2003)

The Commission acknowledges the remarkable progress made by Yemen in the consolidation of the rule
of law and democratic principles and very much agrees that a reinforcement of the relations between the
Commission and Yemen would further encourage this process of democratisation.

The Commission is considering transforming its existing office in Yemen into a sub-regional Delegation,
under the responsibility of the Delegation in Amman. This proposal is at present under review within the
context of the overall development of the External Service exercise. The Commission intends to submit a
Communication in due course.

(2004/C 88 E/0085)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2308/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(14 July 2003)

Subject: Africa (cid:1) oil (cid:1) poverty

According to a study by ‘Catholic Relief Services’, an American NGO, the new investments being made in
oil in Africa are unlikely to eradicate poverty in the oil-producing countries, despite the fact that African
oil production is expected to double in ten years.

This is a shocking conclusion.

According to press reports the study was published on the Internet on the day that the British Prime
Minister met directors of petroleum companies in London (17 June this year) and urged them to make
their business dealings in Africa more transparent.

Can the Commission therefore say:

(cid:1) whether it has a copy of this study or other reliable reports on the subject;

(cid:1) what information it has regarding the activities of oil companies and the transparency of their

business dealings with the African oil-producing countries;

(cid:1) what measures it has taken or envisages taking to promote greater transparency on the part of the oil
companies based or operating in the Union who exploit petroleum resources in Africa, in order to
monitor the management and distribution of the wealth generated by oil, and what measures it has
taken or intends to take vis-à-vis the African countries in the context of existing cooperation relations;