WRITTEN QUESTION E-2960/03 by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Council. Middle East peace process.
Date: 2003-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Israel, Palestine question, West Bank question, association agreement (EU), homicide, judicial power, occupied territory, peaceful co-existence, settlement of disputes

C 78 E/770

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

The Commission considers that a further opening of the market for international passenger services by rail
will allow railway undertakings to offer new and competitive services, which best satisfy the requirements
of the passengers. In this context, the Commission would like to remind the Honourable Member of its
intention to table soon a proposal for the gradual opening up of the market for international passenger
services by rail.

In addition, the Commission proposed on 1 October 2003 to consider as a priority project (No 28) of the
Trans-European Network the Eurocap Rail,
i.e. Brussels-Luxembourg-Strasbourg, which will enable the
modernisation of the infrastructure and allow a shorter and more comfortable journey towards 2012 (3).

(1) See the replies to Written Questions: E-1699/03, OJ C 51 E, 26.2.2004, p. 128, E-1720/03 (See page 722), E-1721/

03, OJ C 33 E, 6.2.2004, p. 158 and E-2293/03 (See page 402).

(2) Council Directive 91/440/EEC of 29 July 1991 on the development of the Community’s railways, OJ L 237,
24.8.1991, as amended by Directive 2001/12 of the Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2001, OJ L 75,
15.3.2001.

(3) Amended proposal for a Decision of the Parliament and of the Council, amending the amended proposal for a
Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision No 1692/96 EC on Community
guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network, COM(2003) 564 final.

(2004/C 78 E/0820)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2960/03

by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(8 October 2003)

Subject: Middle East peace process

The recent resignation of the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, Mr Abu Mazen, has
made it clear that the obstacles to a genuine peace process in the Middle East remain as severe as ever.
There is no doubt that the PNA’s actions are strongly influenced by the pressures and actions of the
extreme fundamentalist groups, but it is also the case that Israel has not changed its policy.

The ‘targeted killings’ continue, aimed at alleged authors of terrorist acts (cid:1) accused of such crimes only by
the Israeli government (cid:1) without recorded investigations or proper trials. The construction continues of
the wall intended to cut off the occupied territories from the rest of the country.

In the light of this blockage of the implementation of the ‘road map’, can the Council answer the following
questions:

1. What is its position on the ‘targeted killings’?

2. Does it not consider such acts to be incompatible with the existing legal systems in the majority of the

Union’s Member States?

3.

Should it not issue a declaration stating that no-one, and even less so a government, has the right to
dictate or execute death sentences without any kind of trial?

4. What action will it take to urge the Israeli government to put an end to such practices?

5. Does it intend to denounce these crimes under the EU/Israel agreements?

6. What action will the Council take should the Israeli government refuse to put an end to these

practices?

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/771

Reply

(4 March 2004)

Like the Honourable Parliamentarian, the Council is of the view that the resignation of PM Abu Mazen has
highlighted that serious obstacles to the Middle East Peace Process remain and that Israelis and Palestinians
have not yet done enough for the serious implementation of the road map.

On the other points, the European Council on 16/17 October 2003 has taken a clear position:

(cid:1) it calls on Israel to abstain from any punitive measures which are not in accordance with international

law, including extra-judicial killings;

(cid:1) the European Council was also particularly concerned about the route marked out for the so-called
security fence in the Occupied West Bank. The envisaged departure of the route from the ‘green line’
could prejudge future negotiations and make the two-State solution physically impossible to
implement. It would cause further humanitarian and economic hardship to the Palestinians. Thousands
of Palestinians west of the fence are being cut off from essential services in the West Bank, Palestinians
east of the fence will lose access to land and water resources;

(cid:1) the EU regularly raises these issues with Israel,

the EU-Israel
(see 18 November 2003) which offers a good opportunity to convey firm

in particular on the occasion of

Association Council
messages to the Government of Israel in this respect;

(cid:1) the European Council has urged all sides in the region to immediately implement policies conducive

to dialogue and negotiations.

(2004/C 78 E/0821)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2962/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(8 October 2003)

Subject: Damage to valuable works contained in the temple of St Sofia

According to the Turkish ‘Miliyet’ newspaper, around 550 invaluable religious paintings and relics
(vestments, holy manuscripts, etc.) currently being stored in the temple of St Sofia in Istanbul, are in
extremely poor condition since not even the basic minimum has been done by way of conservation. The
temple became a repository for those works, which were brought in from disused churches in various
regions of Turkey, when it was converted into a museum in 1935.

Is it possible to earmark funding for the conservation and restoration of these works in cooperation with
the responsible authorities and from which programme?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(3 November 2003)

The Community’s financial assistance programme for Turkey does not allow to provide support for
conserving and restoring religious or cultural works, such as those stored in the Hagia Sofia. The
programme is designed primarily to support Turkey’s alignment with Union standards in the political,
economic and legislative areas. Project proposals are prepared by the Turkish Government and are subject
to approval by the Commission, which is given only for projects that contribute to meeting the priorities
of the Accession Partnership, as adopted by the Council of Ministers on 15 May 2003.