WRITTEN QUESTION E-0622/04 by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission. Ban on entering Russia for Danish journalist.
Date: 2004-03-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Russia, freedom of communication

C 84 E/640

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

The Commission will be able to approve a national aid programme notified to it under Article 88(3) of the
EC Treaty provided all relevant conditions stipulated in the Community Guidelines for State Aid in the
Agriculture Sector are met.

(2004/C 84 E/0720)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0622/04

by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Ban on entering Russia for Danish journalist

(1 March 2004)

The Danish journalist, Vibeke Sperling, who works for the daily newspaper Politiken, has been refused an
entry visa into Russia without any justification. This is a serious matter which raises issues of principle
concerning the standards that the EU requires of its partners, including Russia.

Will the Commission, therefore, say whether it has contemplated raising such problems of freedom of the
press in the context of the forthcoming negotiations with Russia on the cooperation agreement between
the EU and Russia, and making clear to Russia that such infringements of fundamental freedoms are not
acceptable to the EU?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(31 March 2004)

The Commission is concerned at reports of infringements of the freedom of the press in Russia and is
closely following developments, including with regard to the specific case of Ms Sperling. Although the
decision to grant a visa or not is the prerogative of Russia, it is most regrettable that Russia has chosen to
act in a restrictive and opaque manner in this case. The Commission recalls the public declaration of
concern on media freedom issued by the EU in July 2003.

In its recent Communication on relations with Russia (1), the Commission underlined the need for the EU
to hold an open and frank dialogue,
in order to insist that Russia respect the values to which it is
committed as a member of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Council
of Europe, including respect for human rights and media freedom. These issues are frequently raised in the
political dialogue which the EU holds with the Russian authorities.

The EU’s activity is not limited to political dialogue. In view of its concerns on media freedom, the
Commission will continue to support the development of an independent and pluralistic media in Russia,
including via projects funded under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights.

The Commission does not see this issue as linked to the extension of the EU/Russia Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement to the ten acceding Member States, which is a purely technical procedure.

(1) COM(2004) 106 final.

(2004/C 84 E/0721)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0627/04

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(3 March 2004)

Subject: Failure to comply with Community legislation during border veterinary checks in Spain

The Subdirectorate-General for External and Veterinary Health (SGSEV) of the Spanish Ministry of Health
and Consumer Affairs has issued instructions (1) ordering official veterinarians at border inspection posts to