WRITTEN QUESTION P-3331/03 by Anne Van Lancker (PSE) to the Commission. Defunding HIV/AIDS prevention programmes for refugees.
Date: 2003-11-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: AIDS, EU aid, aid to refugees, disease prevention, health aid, international aid

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In addition, the Commission is setting up co-operation programmes funded by MEDA in support of the
Tunisian Media (training of journalists) and modernisation of the judiciary. Non-governmental organi-
sations working to advance human rights in Tunisia have access to funding under the European Initiative
for Democracy and Human Rights 2002-2004, which has Tunisia as one of its ‘focus countries’ for this
period.

(1) COM(2003) 294 final.

(2004/C 88 E/0658)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3310/03

by Philip Claeys (NI) to the Commission

(10 November 2003)

Subject: Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline; violations of the ‘acquis communautaire’ by Turkey

In connection with the construction of an oil pipeline between Baku (Azerbaijan) via Tbilisi (Georgia) to
Ceyhan (Turkey), Turkey has allegedly violated a number of provisions concerning the environment and
human rights which it would have had to comply with if European law applied to Turkey. There have not
been any serious environmental
impact assessments, property has been expropriated unlawfully, etc.
Various NGOs have already protested about this.

The State of Turkey is one of the main partners in the consortium which intends to construct the pipeline.
However, as it is also an applicant country, it may reasonably be expected to abide by the Copenhagen
criteria, including therefore the ‘acquis communautaire’. The above-mentioned project makes it clear that it
is no means doing so.

To what extent is the Commission monitoring developments with regard to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
pipeline? Has it contacted the Turkish authorities on the subject? If so, what was the outcome of the
discussions?

Turkey receives pre-accession aid from the European Union. Will the Commission consider freezing this
aid (or perhaps only part of it) if Turkey continues to disregard the Copenhagen criteria? Is there a specific
timetable for this?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(5 December 2003)

In its regular report on Turkey’s progress towards accession published on 5 November 2003,
the
Commission sets out its assessment of developments over the last year and the overall situation with
regard to human rights and the protection of minorities.

As regards the specific questions raised by the Honourable Member concerning the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline project, any potential violations as regards human rights arising from the implementation of the
pipeline project would have to be considered in the context of the Copenhagen political criteria.

Turkey is at this stage not bound by the environmental
environmental
conditions of international lending organisations.

impact assessments have been carried out for this project,

‘acquis’, but the Commission is aware that
for example, to meet the

The Commission continues to observe the developments with regard to this project.

(2004/C 88 E/0659)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3331/03

by Anne Van Lancker (PSE) to the Commission

(5 November 2003)

Subject: Defunding HIV/AIDS prevention programmes for refugees

On 27 August 2003, the US State Department announced that it would withhold funding for an HIV/
AIDS prevention programme for refugees run by the RHR Consortium. (The members of the Consortium
are the following: American Refugee Committee (ARC), CARE, Columbia University Heilbrunn Center for

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Population and Family Health, International Rescue Committee (IRC), JSI Research and Training Institute
(JSI R & T), Marie Stopes International (MSI) and Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children
(WCRWC)).

Subsequently, on 29 August 2003, President Bush issued a Memorandum extending the ‘Mexico City
Policy’, which had previously only applied to programmes administered by the US Agency for
International Development (USAID), to all voluntary population planning funds administered by the State
Department. The State Department is still assessing which other programmes and organisations could be
affected by this expansion of the US policy.

In view of this latest development, would the Commission be prepared once again to make funds available
to minimise the damage caused to HIV prevention programmes for refugees?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(11 December 2003)

The Commission is concerned about decisions taken by the American administration to implement the so-
called Mexico City Policy. This policy seriously undermines efforts by various organisations to address
effectively the threat posed by the human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(HIV/AIDS) to the health and life of people living in developing countries and to development overall. The
Commission is very active in supporting prevention of HIV/AIDS in accordance with the framework of its
Programme for Action on communicable diseases, targeting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, including,
inter alia, substantial donations to the Global Fund (GFATM).

To help to address the lack of funding for certain key organisations, due to decisions taken by the United
States, the Commission has decided to support the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA)
through additional funding. No specific funds have been allocated to address in particular HIV/AIDS
among refugees. However, within the health programmes in refugee camps, the Commission funds a
variety of activities. The activities funded in a specific country take into account the host country context,
the dialogue with the national authorities, and the situation of the refugees vis à vis the local population to
avoid discrepancies between the living conditions of the two groups.

The Commission’s Humanitarian Office (ECHO), has in that perspective funded HIV/AIDS awareness
raising activities including ‘theatre plays’ about HIV/AIDS issues, and standardised training material for
training of local staff in refugee camps, transfer centres and for refugees going back to their country of
origin. Also, the Commission has supported measures to ensure safe blood transfusion and application of
universal precautions, condom distribution and tracing of sexually transmitted infections (STI). Ill refugees
visiting the health centres in the camps are offered testing and counselling, but for care and treatment they
are referred to national hospitals.

(2004/C 88 E/0660)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3357/03

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 November 2003)

Subject: Affront to the church of Ayia Sofia in Istanbul

The church of Ayia Sofia in Istanbul (which forms part of the world cultural heritage and stands as the
ultimate symbol of Christianity, regardless of creed) is yet again the target of the Turkish authorities’
destructive and invidious policies. In the last few days, the international press has reported that an utterly
tasteless, plastic ‘greenhouse’ has been set up inside the church(!) exhibiting ‘works of art’ made of …
lettuce(!) by some Asiatic artist or other. This entire ‘creation’
is set off by the addition of television
monitors placed at various points within the church which broadcast Muslim religious services at high
volume. The contempt shown by the Turkish authorities towards a church whose history goes back several