WRITTEN QUESTION E-2542/03 by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission. Violation of religious freedom in Russia.
Date: 2003-07-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Russia, cooperation policy, freedom of religious beliefs, human rights, political cooperation, the EU's international role

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/93

Despite the heavy investment of the Commission and the international community involved in the
electricity sector and KEK, the situation of the Kosovar electricity utility is today still critical, as the
challenges to overcome are still substantial.

The Commission’s support to KEK is implemented through the European Agency for Reconstruction and
amounts to date to about EUR 350 million. From these funds, about EUR 80 million were used for
electricity imports, EUR 35 million were spent for necessary technical assistance, EUR 20-30 million were
used to repair the damage caused by NATO bombing during the conflict (particularly on the transmission
system) and EUR 40 million had to be spent on Kosovo B for the damages caused by the lighting strike
accident and fire in July 2002.

Given the importance of the Community financial support in the electricity sector, the Commission is
following up closely the implementation of the assistance, in close co-operation with the European Agency
for Reconstruction and the Union-led Pillar of the UN Mission in Kosovo.

The Commission is unaware of any substandard work or material of the rehabilitation undertaken by the
European Agency for Reconstruction. The European Agency for Reconstruction has confirmed that all
works are closely supervised by independent technical experts in accordance with international standards
and only new materials are employed. They have also indicated that they are not aware of any evidence
which substantiates allegations about short diesel supply.

(2004/C 88 E/0099)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2542/03

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(30 July 2003)

Subject: Violation of religious freedom in Russia

Knowing that:

(cid:1) on 15 May 2000 the authorities in Kostroma refused the ‘Family of God’ and another Pentecostal

church authorisation to profess their faith because they allegedly practise hypnotism;

(cid:1) in November 2000 the Kostroma regional justice department requested the closure of two churches,
but did not manage to prove, as required under the 1997 Russian law on religion, that people had
suffered moral or physical harm as a result of hypnosis; According to the law, the harm caused by
hypnosis, rather than the hypnosis itself, must be proven before a religious organisation may be closed
down;

(cid:1) last summer five American citizens working with the Evangelical Christian Church in Kostroma and
an American citizen working in the town with the Christian humanitarian organisation ‘Children’s
Hope Chest’ were refused visas, the pastor Bill Norton, who used to visit the Kostroma ‘Family of God’
church, was refused entry three times,

(cid:1) and in June the justice department of Kostroma near Moscow ordered a check on the ‘Family of God’

church.

In view of the excellent cooperation relationship between the European Union and Russia,

can the Commission say whether it is aware of the facts outlined above?

and what measures, in the context of cooperation relations, might constitute a serious and effective means
of inducing Russia to respect religious freedom, as envisaged in the Constitution and the Federal law on
religion?

C 88 E/94

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 September 2003)

The Commission is aware that the position in Russia of churches other than the Russian Orthodox Church
is sometimes difficult.

The Commission frequently raises its concerns about the need for Russia to guarantee the full respect of
human rights in the context of Union/Russia political dialogue and will continue to stress to the Russian
authorities that the pattern of developments regarding freedom of religion is not compatible with the
major international and European Human Rights conventions that Russia has ratified, which include
reference to freedom of religion or belief.

It should be recalled that the Commission actively promotes human rights via the European Initiative for
Democracy and Human Rights programme. Furthermore, provision of assistance to Russia through the
TACIS programme is explicitly conditional on respect of democratic principles and human rights.

(2004/C 88 E/0100)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2551/03

by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 August 2003)

Subject: EU failure to disburse overseas aid

Following recent reports that the EU has accumulated EUR 20 billion in unspent aid funds over the past
decade despite consistently high levels of investment need in developing countries, can the Commission
advise on the reasons why available money was not spent on worthwhile projects by the European
Development Fund?

Furthermore, can the Commission explain what measures are being put in place to remedy this situation
and provide for a more effective and efficient distribution of funding to implementing partners?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(28 October 2003)

Unspent aid funds (EDF)

At the end of 2002, a total of EUR 32,4 billion had been made available through the ‘live’ (6th, 7th and
8th) European Development Funds (EDF), and of this figure, EUR 29,9 billion had been committed,
meaning that formal decisions had been taken to go ahead on specific projects. So in fact EUR 2,5 billion
had been allocated but not committed.

The Union is obliged under the Cotonou Agreement to be active in all African, Caribbean and Pacific
(ACP) signatory States, including in countries where other donors may not wish to work. A large part of
the funds provided under the Agreement is earmarked to each ACP State on a national basis. However,
co-operation may subsequently have to be reduced or suspended with some countries for political
(non-respect of the ‘essential elements’ of the Cotonou Agreement, human rights, democratic principles
and the rule of law) or practical reasons (civil wars, security situation etc). This means that commitments
for specific projects may be difficult or impossible to approve. EUR 1,7 billion of the EUR 2,5 billion
mentioned above are currently earmarked for countries which are or have been in crisis. These funds
remain allocated to the country. Their use depends on the resolution of the crisis which gave rise to the
problems in using funds.