WRITTEN QUESTION E-2701/03 by Geoffrey Van Orden (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Child protection funding in Bulgaria.
Date: 2003-09-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Bulgaria, EU financing, access to education, accession to the European Union, child protection

C 88 E/434

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

The Commission deeply regrets that, almost one year after Mr Shaw regained his freedom, the perpetrators
of his kidnapping have not been brought to justice and that the suspect arrested in Moscow has yet to be
extradited.

The Commission shares the Honourable Member’s opinion that more information should be made
available and has asked the Georgian authorities for a detailed written report on the state of
the
investigations. The Commission remains determined to do all that it can to pursue this case.

(2004/C 88 E/0439)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2701/03

by Geoffrey Van Orden (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 September 2003)

Subject: Child protection funding in Bulgaria

With regard to pre-accession funding for Bulgaria, what amounts have been allocated for projects relating
to child protection and welfare, and what proposals have been submitted for more resources to be targeted
on this area?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(30 September 2003)

As outlined in the Commission’s Regular Report 2002 (1) on Bulgaria’s progress towards accession,
Bulgaria needs to continue to strengthen its efforts in reform of the child care system, ensuring that the
United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child is fully respected, that the best interests of the
child are reflected and that children are placed in institutions only as a last resort.

The Commission supports Bulgaria’s efforts in this area through pre-accession funding. A Phare project
entitled ‘Child Welfare Reform’, with EUR 3,5 million of funding from Phare and; and Bulgarian co-
financing of EUR 0,5 million, is already being implemented, largely through twinning. The project aims to
assist the authorities to improve policies towards socially marginalised children (including a significant
number of Roma children and children with disabilities). It provides support and training to relevant
levels and seeks to promote the development of alternative forms of
bodies at national and regional
childcare as well as supporting the reform of the management and care of children in a number of selected
homes.

Another project has been agreed, in principle, under pre-accession assistance provided for in 2003, namely
‘Improvement of quality of life of people with mental disabilities’ (Phare budget: EUR 2 million; Bulgarian
co-financing: EUR 0,67 million). This project aims to support the development and improvement of
alternative medical, social and educational services for both children and adults with mental disabilities.

A number of projects provide indirect support to child protection in Bulgaria e.g. the project ‘Roma
Population Integration’ (Phare budget: EUR 1,65 million). This seeks to improve school attendance by
Roma children by removing economic and cultural barriers at pre-school and primary level, increase the
number of skilled teachers working in a multi-cultural environment and introduce a nationwide multi-
cultural content revised curriculum. There are also projects related to civil society which include project
activities in the area of social integration of vulnerable groups.

Finally, further pre-accession assistance is envisaged in the framework of multi-annual programming 2004-
2006. Relevant proposals from the Bulgarian authorities are expected in the near future.

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/435

The Commission will continue to closely follow developments in this area, working closely with other
major donors and international agencies such as the World Bank and UN Development Programme (DP).

(1) COM(2002) 700 final.

(2004/C 88 E/0440)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2723/03

by Francisca Sauquillo Pérez del Arco (PSE) to the Commission

(3 September 2003)

Subject: European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights and indigenous peoples

According to the Commission, one of the priorities under the European Initiative for Democracy and
Human Rights (EIDHR) must be the fight against racism, xenophobia and discrimination towards ethnic
minorities and indigenous peoples. The Council has also, on several occasions, confirmed its promise of
support for indigenous peoples (see Conclusions of the Council of June 2001 and November 2002). There
are, however, reports that indigenous peoples receive no mention in the EIDHR budget for 2004.

Can the Commission confirm that, in accordance with the guidelines of the Council, the Commission itself
and the European Parliament, the EIDHR programming document, which is currently being drawn up, will
take indigenous peoples into consideration, according them a particular mention and a specific budget
item?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(26 September 2003)

Following up on the commitments of the Union regarding support for the rights of indigenous peoples,
the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) contributes to achieve these objectives
by opening up access to funding for projects of organisations representing indigenous peoples or working
with them. The EIDHR Programming Document 2002-2004 identified the empowerment of indigenous
peoples to promote their rights and the enhancement of respect for the rights of indigenous peoples at the
international level for specific support. For the period from 2002 to 2004, the programming document
included an indicative allocation of EUR 15 million in support of corresponding projects. On the basis of
this multi-annual programming and within the framework of
the EIDHR
programming update for 2004 continues to provide opportunities for project funding in support of the
rights of indigenous peoples at global, regional and focus country level.

the identified objectives,

(2004/C 88 E/0441)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2726/03

by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(10 September 2003)

Subject: Russian minority’s schools in Latvia

Languages are part of the richness of Europe. Several international charters recognise the right of citizens
to maintain and develop their own languages.

In Latvia, the significant Russian-speaking community is struggling against the Government’s intention to
eliminate minority educational systems. In its resolution on Latvia’s progress in the accession process
(2002) the European Parliament called for a study into possibilities of retaining secondary education in
minority languages.