WRITTEN QUESTION E-2442/03 by Jürgen Zimmerling (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Help for Madagascar.
Date: 2003-07-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: ECHO, Madagascar, armed forces, capital goods, carriage of goods, financing, humanitarian aid, support policy, terms for aid

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/85

In the sixth package of political reforms adopted by the Turkish Parliament on 19 June 2003, some
measures have been taken to address the question of ‘honour killings’. In particular, Article 453 of the
penal code has been amended to increase the penalty for the killing of out-of-wedlock babies from four to
eight years to six to ten years. Article 462, which foresaw a reduction of sentence in the case of honour
killings, has been abrogated.

The Commission will continue to monitor the situation closely and in particular the implementation of
these new provisions.

(1) COM(2002) 700 final.

(2004/C 88 E/0092)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2402/03

by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission

(21 July 2003)

Subject: Turkey: book-burning and State jobs for 15 000 imams

Western books considered ideologically incorrect according to Islam were recently burnt publicly on the
orders of the judiciary in Turkey. It has also recently been reported that the Turkish government has
decided to employ 15 000 imams at public expense to promote the Muslim faith further.

Does the Commission consider that these events constitute steps along the road to the ‘new’ Turkey’s
accession to the EU and adoption of its values?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(8 September 2003)

The Commission is not aware of the issue mentioned by the Honourable Member about judgements
concerning the public burning of books.

As regards the appointment of additional imams, the Commission is aware of a proposal of the Bureau of
Religious Affairs (Diyanet)
intended to fill vacancies existing in Turkey for Moslem cleric personnel.
According to our information this proposal has not been adopted by the Government.

As a Candidate Country, Turkey has undertaken to comply with the Copenhagen political criteria. These
criteria imply freedom of religion for all religious groups. The Commission makes a detailed assessment of
the situation in the area of freedom of religion in its Regular Report published annually, and will continue
to monitor developments.

(2004/C 88 E/0093)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2442/03

by Jürgen Zimmerling (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 July 2003)

Subject: Help for Madagascar

As part of the process of adjusting to NATO standards, the national armies of the accession countries are
having to renew old equipment and items such as tents and field kitchens.

The old equipment is still worth quite a lot and is in good condition, so could be used in the Third World,
since it is very suitable for non-military use.

C 88 E/86

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

The President of Madagascar, Mr Marc Ravalomanana, recently asked whether the European Union could
look into the question of financing transport of this material from its humanitarian aid funds (a copy of
his letter and a list of the equipment needed has been sent to the Commission). This request is prompted
by the latest natural disaster in Madagascar, where this equipment and material is urgently needed. What is
the Commission’s attitude on this matter?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2003)

The Commission is aware that Madagascar suffers periodically from natural disasters, and in particular, that
it was seriously affected by Tropical Cyclone Manou in May 2003. The Commission responded swiftly to
assist cyclone victims, by means of current budget facilities, such as food security, transport and the system
for the stabilization of export earnings (Stabex).

in relation to the question of

financing the transport of
Concerning possible help for Madagascar,
equipment discarded by national armies of accession countries, the Commission has not yet received a
letter from President Ravalomanana on this subject. However, as regards the possibility to use the
humanitarian aid budget for financing such transport,
it should be borne in mind that the terms of
implementation of this budget line are clearly defined by Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96 of 20 June
1996 (1). This is the legal basis on which the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO)
operates.

In concrete terms, ECHO could only finance such transport in response to a specific disaster, and only via
its recognised partners, thus excluding direct government funding.

As the Honourable Member is aware, funding for humanitarian actions is provided on the basis of requests
presented by recognised humanitarian actors such as United Nations Agencies, the different components of
the Red Cross movement and specialised humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs). These
actors (cid:1) ECHO partners (cid:1) assess the need of the victims in an impartial and neutral way and present
proposals with a clear strategy to increase the impact and the sustainability of the planned operation.
Humanitarian operations are not limited to the transport of goods and equipment to a crisis region, but
imply co-ordination with local capacities and the implementation of a complex range of activities.

In this context, attention must be paid to the cost-effectiveness of the means used for implementing the
activities envisaged to reach the interventions’ objectives.

ECHO has not received, up to this moment, any request from its humanitarian partners involving the
transfer of decommissioned military equipment to Madagascar.

In any case, the state of use of this equipment and its real suitability to humanitarian aid actions are to be
carefully considered. This assessment lies on ECHO’s implementing partners; it must be carried out in
relation to the identified needs and in the best interest of the beneficiaries of the aid.

In the event of receiving such a request, ECHO will examine it keeping in mind the principle of sound
financial management enunciated in the Financial Regulation.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid, OJ L 163, 2.7.1996.