WRITTEN QUESTION E-2725/03 by Jules Maaten (ELDR) to the Commission. Corruption at the Bulgarian border.
Date: 2003-09-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Bulgaria, EU national, border control, corruption, customs profession, tourism, vaccination

C 88 E/110

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

their own villages and leave behind their land, jobs and houses. The results of this study were announced
by Sefika Gurbuz, head of the Goc-Der refugee organisation, at a press conference held in Istanbul on
17 July 2002. Sefika Gurbuz was accused of ‘separatism’ under Article 312 of the Turkish Criminal Code
for having announced the results, while Mehmet Bercet, as the main author of the study, was charged with
inciting racial hatred. Both were brought before the State Security Court. A first hearing was held on
25 November 2002 and at the subsequent hearing of 12 March 2003 the prosecution called for three
year’s imprisonment for both the accused.

How does the Commission view this situation? Should it not make it quite clear to the Turkish
Government that these accusations and the indictment of Sefika Gurbuz and Mehmet Bercet clash totally
with the possibility of Turkey entering the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 2003)

The Commission is not aware of the case mentioned by the Honourable Member.

As regards freedom of expression, Turkey has adopted a series of reforms over the last two years
introducing changes to several articles of the Turkish Penal Code. In particular, the grounds for limiting
freedom of expression in Article 312 have been amended in view of complying with the European
standards.

According to official data, it appears that the majority of cases launched against individuals on grounds of
freedom of expression over the last year have been concluded with acquittals by courts.

However, court cases against individuals continue to occur, often reflecting a restrictive interpretation of
the relevant provisions of the Penal Code.

The Commission has repeatedly stressed to the Turkish authorities the need for a practical implementation
of the reforms for the benefit of all citizens, regardless of their origin.

The Commission will continue to monitor the situation in the context of the Copenhagen political criteria
and will make a detailed assessment in its Regular Report to be published in November 2003.

(2004/C 88 E/0115)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2725/03

by Jules Maaten (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 September 2003)

Subject: Corruption at the Bulgarian border

On 12 December 2002, I requested clarification from the Commission over reports that Bulgarian border
guards had been demanding money unnecessarily from tourists to allow them to cross the border (Written
Question E-3790/02 (1)). Mr Verheugen replied that ‘appropriate measures’ would be taken ‘in order to
prevent incidents of the specific character described’.

An inquiry carried out by ANWB, the largest Dutch organisation active in the field of tourism, leisure and
travel, shows that the situation has not improved. Tourists now even have to be vaccinated against SARS
at the border, although there is in fact no vaccine against SARS!

1.

2.

Is the Commission aware of what is going on?

Does the Commission feel that these vaccinations are a danger to public health?

8.4.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/111

3.

Has the Commission taken steps to put a stop to these practices?

Does the Commission feel that its monitoring of corruption by Bulgarian border authorities is

4.
effective?

5. What practical steps does the Commission plan to take to stamp out these illegal practices?

(1) OJ C 70 E, 20.3.2004, p. 24.

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(23 October 2003)

The Commission has been informed of the complaints related to the collection of a fee of EUR 100
relating to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) at Bulgarian border checkpoints. Bulgaria was
invited to explain the situation and has provided the Commission with the following information.

No fees or penalties were officially introduced at Bulgarian border checkpoints in connection with SARS.
Further to the complaints, an information campaign in German, English and Turkish has been launched at
all border checkpoints and Bulgarian embassies in Turkey, Germany and Austria informing that there is no
official collection of fees or penalties in connection with SARS. The Turkish embassies in Germany and
Austria, as well as the main Turkish tour operators in these countries, have also been informed.

Moreover, the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior has ordered its services and local directorates to collect data
and information on these alleged practices. The results of the investigation will determine whether to
institute penal proceedings. The investigation is complicated by the fact that the Bulgarian authorities have
received no official complaints with information specifying the time and the location or describing the
perpetrator.

The Honourable Member will appreciate that the Commission has no formal powers to inquire into cases
of this nature. However, it does monitor Bulgaria’s commitment to the rule of law through a number of
mechanisms and reporting sources. Once further
information is forthcoming from the Bulgarian
authorities this will be transmitted to the Honourable Member.

(2004/C 88 E/0116)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2742/03

by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission

(11 September 2003)

Subject: Slovakia

Is the Commission aware that Slovakia still refuses entry onto its territory of EU citizens who present only
an identity card, even children accompanied by their parents presenting a passport?

Does the Commission agree that this reflects poorly on Slovakia’s attitude, as a country scheduled to join
the Union in a few months time, especially when other countries in the vicinity, whether or not they are
about to join the EU (such as Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia and even Serbia-Montenegro) have no difficulty in
accepting identity cards issued by EU Member States as a valid proof of identity?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(22 October 2003)

Union citizens may travel freely throughout the territory of the Union, simply by holding a valid passport
or identity card. Until their accession to the Union, however, there is no obligation on Acceding Countries
such as Slovakia or other non-Union states to allow entry onto their territory of Union citizens presenting
only an identity card.