WRITTEN QUESTION E-0509/04 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. Venezuela — hunger and the Portuguese community.
Date: 2004-02-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Venezuela, economic situation, hunger

C 84 E/608

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

(2004/C 84 E/0683)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0509/04

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(24 February 2004)

Subject: Venezuela (cid:1) hunger and the Portuguese community

According to media reports the Portuguese Catholic mission in Caracas has stated that many Portuguese
immigrants in Venezuela are in serious difficulty. Fr Alexandre Mendonça has declared that ‘At the
moment, most people are struggling financially. Those who were well off in Venezuela are now less so and
those who were not well off are now in a much worse state’. The situation has been confirmed by
Portugal’s State Secretary with responsibility for such communities (José Cesário), who has outlined some
of the problems being experienced by the Portuguese community. ‘There are social problems which, in
certain cases, become highly complicated issues relating to young children, elderly people, Portuguese
nationals who have been completely uprooted, and drug addicts.’ He admits that
there are many
complicated situations involving emigrant Portuguese communities scattered across the world, but nothing
compares with the situation in Venezuela.

‘Thousands of people are going hungry and some of them have no home or other shelter and are
experiencing immense difficulties. Equally serious situations exist in France but a variety of remedies can
fortunately be applied. In Venezuela the situation is much more complex,’ he stated.

This is an alarming state of affairs which contrasts with the levels of prosperity which Venezuela has
known in the past.

In view of the above, would the Commission answer the following questions:

(cid:1) Is the Commission aware of the food and other shortages described above?

(cid:1) What is its analysis of the problems outlined?

(cid:1) What action has it taken (or is it intending to take) vis-à-vis the Venezuelan authorities in order to

alert them to the state of affairs described above and to help resolve it?

(cid:1) Is it willing to work with the Portuguese and Venezuelan Governments in an attempt to solve the

problems?

(cid:1) Is it willing to provide emergency aid, should such be requested?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(23 March 2004)

The Commission is aware of the strong economic recession that Venezuela is suffering, marked by two
consecutive years of severe negative growth. An economic recovery was expected for this year, but appears
at risk given the unstable political situation. The Venezuelan population, mainly those with low economic
resources, are feeling the impact of this situation, some of them finding it difficult to buy the amount of
food they are used to. The Portuguese community in Venezuela is also affected by this general problem,
although the Commission has not been made aware of any specific concerns as regards that community.

The economic difficulties have forced a reduction in companies’ production and even closure of some
enterprises; affecting also the Portuguese community involved in production activities. The Delegation of
the Commission in Caracas works with Member States’ Embassies and Chambers of Trade located in
Venezuela in order to improve opportunities for European companies. The Delegation has frequent
contacts with the Portuguese community through the Portuguese-Venezuelan Chamber of Trade.

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/609

Some economic measures introduced by the government such as price controls and foreign exchange
controls are having an effect on European companies trading with Venezuela. Negotiations between
European Embassies and the Commission on the one side and Venezuelan economic authorities on the
other have resulted in reducing the negative impact of these measures.

The Commission has not received any request for emergency aid and the Commission is not aware of any
specific part of the country encountering a serious shortage of food. However, the Commission will
continue to monitor the economic situation periodically and, should an emergency aid request be received,
examine it with care.

(2004/C 84 E/0684)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0512/04

by Sérgio Marques (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 February 2004)

Subject: Daphne programme

The purpose of the Daphne programme (cid:1) the 2000-2003 EU programme to combat violence against
children, young persons and women (cid:1) is to help provide a high level of both physical and psychological
health protection by protecting children, young persons and women against violence (including in the
form of sexual exploitation and abuse), by preventing violence and by providing aid to the victims of
violence, with a particular view to preventing further exposure to violence.

Public and private organisations and public institutions can all
in the programme. The
Commission cooperates with the relevant institutions and organisations and encourages transnational
cooperation between NGOs and local, regional and national authorities. Activities are intended to involve a
significant number of Member States.

take part

The programme represents the start of cooperation within Europe amongst NGOs and voluntary
organisations which, according to the Commission, play an essential role in combating the violence
perpetrated against children, young persons and women. The Commission also maintains that such
organisations frequently provide services which the public authorities are unable to offer or for which they
do not have the necessary skills.

In view of the above, would the Commission answer the following questions:

1. How many projects involving Portuguese NGOs or public entities were supported by the Community

during the 2000-2003 period?

2. What areas did those projects cover?

3. How much did the projects cost and what was the percentage of Community co-funding?

4. Do projects for which Community support is requested have to be partnerships between NGOs and

public entities, or may such projects involve only NGOs?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(24 March 2004)

During the period 2000-2003 the Daphne programme financed five projects where the coordinator was a
Portuguese entity (three study centres/institutes and two NGOs), to the tune of EUR 440 506.

A total of 61 organisations and public authorities participated as partners in 32 Daphne projects during
the same period.