WRITTEN QUESTION E-3499/03 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Council. Romano Prodi — Manifesto.
Date: 2003-11-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, European election, Italy, President of the Commission, politics, powers of the institutions (EU), separation of powers

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/243

The ELM has agreed to the gradual release of the hostages, following the visit by a Humanitarian Council,
to testify to the difficult living conditions of the inhabitants of Sierra Nevada, but has warned that it will
kill them should the Colombian army attempt to rescue them.

The Council:

(cid:1) Can it confirm that these hostages are alive and in good health?

(cid:1) What approaches has it made or will it make to the ELN or humanitarian organisations with a view to

encouraging their release?

(cid:1) What approaches has it made to the Colombian Government to make it aware of the hostages’

situation, and to protect their lives and ensure their release?

Reply

(11 March 2004)

The Council informs the Honourable Parliamentarian that, at the present time, all the hostages but one
have been released.

The EU expects that the only remaining UK hostage will be released as soon as possible.

(2004/C 84 E/0288)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3499/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Council

(24 November 2003)

Subject: Romano Prodi (cid:1) Manifesto

The President of the Commission has written a text entitled ‘Europa: il sogno, le scelte’ explicitly directed
to the Italian centre-left parties, calling on them to unite in a single list for the forthcoming European
elections and act unitedly in the ensuing Parliament.

This initiative produced an immediate reaction from the Italian opposition parties, and comprehensive
criticism from the parties comprising the government majority, having already been repudiated by
representatives of European political groups. Italian political commentators have even stated that the
Commission President was positioning himself as the possible leader of the left in Italy, with a view to the
elections next June.

The Council:

(cid:1) How does it view the initiative taken by the Commission President? Does it believe it to be compatible
with the nature of his duties, as set out in Article 211 et seq. of the EC Treaty? Does it think that
Romano Prodi’s behaviour compromises the impartiality of the Commission’s political guidelines and
its President, and undermines the proper
interventions, which are legally the responsibility of
application of the principles of separation of powers,
interest of the
independence, and general
Community?

(cid:1) Does it not believe that the stability and respectability of the European Institutions has been directly
jeopardised? Does it intend to do anything about this, and with regard to the Commission President,
whose actions can quite simply be viewed as constituting ‘intervention in the internal politics’ of a
Member State?

Reply

(9 March 2004)

The Council has not discussed the issues raised in the Honourable Member’s question, nor has it expressed
any view on them. It is not therefore in a position to respond to the Honourable Member.