WRITTEN QUESTION E-3497/03 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. Georgia — parliamentary elections.
Date: 2003-11-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU national, EU relations, Georgia, competence of the Member States, diplomatic protection, electoral fraud, parliamentary election, political situation, public safety

C 88 E/464

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Three of the seven are citizens of EU Member States (Spain, UK and Germany) and four are Israelis.

The ELM has agreed to the gradual release of the hostages, following the visit by a Humanitarian
Commission 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 Commission:

(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?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(22 December 2003)

Since the Honourable Member asked his question, two of the three European citizens who had been
abducted have been released by the ELN guerrilla through the mediation of the Catholic Church, with the
assistance of the United Nations (UN). One European citizen is still detained by the ELN guerrilla, who has
promised to free him before Christmas together with the other four Israeli hostages.

According to the persons already released, they were not mistreated by their captors.

The Commission strongly condemns these and all other kidnappings taking place in Colombia, and
demands the immediate and unconditional release of the European citizen and the other persons still
detained. Their captors are accountable for their health and safety.

The Commission has made no approach to the Colombian Government, humanitarian organisations or the
ELN. Diplomatic and consular protection is a competence of
the
Community. Article 20 of the EC Treaty only establishes the right to protection by the diplomatic and
consular authorities of any Member State, on the same conditions as the nationals of that State, in the
territory of a third country where the Member State of which the citizen is a national is not represented.

the Member States, and not of

(2004/C 88 E/0477)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3497/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(24 November 2003)

Subject: Georgia (cid:1) parliamentary elections

The media report that the Georgian opposition is accusing regional government officials of manipulating
the result of the recent parliamentary elections. Thousands have taken to the streets.

Opposition leaders in Georgia are demanding that President Shevarnadze be taken to court, if he does not
sack those responsible for the alleged ballot fraud.

Official sources indicate that the first partial results, with 60 % of the votes counted, show that the
government coalition is 2 % ahead of the opposition.

The Commission:

(cid:1) what information does it have on the Georgian electoral situation?

(cid:1) how much faith does it put in the official results already announced?

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Official Journal of the European Union

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(cid:1) what developments does it foresee in the Georgian political situation?

(cid:1) in what ways could this situation affect regional stability?

(cid:1) what measures has it taken, or does it intend to take to ensure the safety of EU citizens in Georgia?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(17 December 2003)

It would seem that the situation in Georgia, as outlined in the Honourable Member’s question, has been
overtaken by events.

The Union is conscious of the need to help ensure that new elections in Georgia, both presidential and
parliamentary, meet international standards and is considering how best to work with the Organisation on
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) / Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
(ODIHR) and the wider international community to achieve this end.

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that its delegation in Georgia does not have
consular responsibilities for Union citizens. Security of Union citizens is handled by the Union embassies
in the country and with which the Commission delegation remains in close contact.

(2004/C 88 E/0478)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3500/03

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 November 2003)

Subject: Accession of Croatia to the EU

In June 2004 ten new countries will
Romania will also join, provided they meet the EU’s requirements.

join the EU, and in 2007 the candidate countries Bulgaria and

What steps is the Commission taking to ensure that Croatia is ready to join the EU together with Bulgaria
and Romania?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(16 January 2004)

Croatia applied for Union Membership in February 2003 and in April 2003 the Council requested the
Commission to prepare an Opinion on this Membership Application. The Commission is planning to
deliver its Opinion in spring 2004 and it is currently working to assess Croatia’s fulfilment of the three
Copenhagen criteria. It is, therefore, premature to say what will be the results of the Opinion and what will
be the consequent decision of the Council.

The European Council of 12 December 2003 concluded ‘that the accession negotiations’ for Romania and
Bulgaria ‘can be brought to a successful conclusion in 2004 on the basis of own merits, and the Accession
Treaty can be signed as soon as possible in 2005’. These two countries therefore are already very advanced
in the accession negotiations.

Croatia will enter into the Union as soon as it is ready, i.e. when it has successfully fulfilled the necessary
criteria, and completed the accession negotiations. The pace of reforms in Croatia will determine the speed
of negotiations.