WRITTEN QUESTION E-3277/03 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. New relations with Libya.
Date: 2003-11-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, European neighbourhood policy, Italy, Libya, Union for the Mediterranean, competence of the Member States, indemnification

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/459

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(10 December 2003)

In the context of the Commonwealth-sponsored ‘Meeting of Cameroon’s international partners’, which
took place on 31 October 2003 in London, the Commission received the report ‘Strengthening the
Electoral Process in Cameroon’. This report, made by a Commonwealth Team of Experts, underlines the
shortcomings in the organisation of the previous elections in Cameroon and proposes concrete measures
to redress the situation. At the meeting itself the Cameroonian authorities reported on the plans for wide-
ranging reforms in the areas of election management, human rights, the rule of law, decentralisation and
the independence of the judiciary. In concrete terms, the Cameroonian authorities committed to present to
the parliamentary sessions in March 2004 and June 2004 legislation concerning the reform of the National
Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms and the National Electoral Observatory, in order to increase
the independence of these bodies, as well as on decentralisation.

In the area of election management, the Commission regrets that the necessary reforms have not yet begun
to be implemented. The Commission, as well as the other donors present at the meeting in London, urged
the government to speed up the measures to be taken, stressing, the need for (a) a clear and publicly
available calendar of the various processes and procedures leading up to the October 2004 Presidential
election, (b) the elaboration of a new voters’ roll; (c) the adoption of the proposed draft legislation on the
Observatory as early as possible to allow for its application in good time before the election and (d)
ensuring full consultations and transparency on all aspects of the electoral process.

The Commission will follow closely the concrete measures the government takes.

(2004/C 88 E/0471)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3277/03

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(5 November 2003)

Subject: New relations with Libya

The lifting of the embargo against Libya, imposed as a result of its mistaken support for terrorism, should
present the European Union with the possibility of establishing new relations with that country that reflect,
among other things, the Mediterranean policy that the European Parliament has for several years been
hoping for in its regard.

In this connection:

1. Could the Commission indicate whether it has already taken steps to tailor relations with Libya

towards a Mediterranean policy?

2.

In the context of possible discussions on the economy and trade, does it intend to tackle the issue of
compensation for the assets confiscated from the 20 000 Italians expelled by the Libyan regime in the
past, and for the companies from Italy and other European countries who are still waiting for the
Libyan Government to pay the balance of their fees along with any eventual damages?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 2003)

The lifting of the United Nations sanctions on 12 September 2003 is indeed an important step towards the
reintegration of Libya into the international community. This was a condition for Libya to join the
Barcelona Process, which is the framework of Union relations towards Mediterranean Countries. Libya is
invited to become a full member of the Barcelona Process as soon as it has accepted fully all its ‘acquis’.

C 88 E/460

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Libya’s accession to the Barcelona process remains the main Union policy towards this country. In the
meantime, possible co-operation on specific areas of interest, as is the case for example for illegal
immigration, is being developed.

In the context of Union enlargement, consideration should be given to how it could incorporate Libya into
its policy towards neighbouring countries, on the basis of the respect of shared values.

The issue of compensation for assets confiscated from Italians expelled by the Libyan regime is a bilateral
one and therefore is not being dealt with at the EU level.

(2004/C 88 E/0472)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3319/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Mines and migrants on the Greek-Turkish border

(10 November 2003)

On numerous occasions in recent years, many migrants have lost their lives attempting to cross the Greek-
Turkish border. Recently, seven Pakistanis were blown to pieces attempting to cross the Greek-Turkish
border through a minefield. According to information from the Greek General Army Staff, since 1999
31 illegal immigrants have been killed by mines while attempting to enter Greece from Turkey.

Bearing in mind that the Greek-Turkish border is also the external border of the European Union, will the
Commission say:

1. what view it takes of this situation in the light of Parliament’s resolution on anti-personnel landmines
(B5-0802/2000) (1) in which Parliament asks the European Union to commit itself to work towards
the total elimination of anti-personnel landmines, and

2. what steps it will take to clear the minefields at its external (Greek-Turkish) borders, taking into
account the international community’s recognition of the prominent role played by the European
Union and the fact that the Union offers its support for measures to deal with mines in all countries
affected by them?

(1) OJ C 197, 12.7.2001, p. 193.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(10 December 2003)

On 25 September 2003 Greece and Turkey formally joined the Mine Ban Treaty. The Commission hopes
that this joint move will put an end to the suffering caused by anti-personnel mines on the border between
the two countries.

In addition, as part of the confidence building measures agreed in the context of their bilateral relations,
both countries have undertaken to clear their border areas from landmines as mentioned in the
Commission’s Regular Report of November 2001 (1).

Council Regulation (EC) No 1725/2001 of 23 July 2001 concerning action against anti-personnel
landmines in third countries other than developing countries (2) does not apply to Member States.

(1) COM(2001) 700 final.
(2) OJ L 234, 1.9.2001.