WRITTEN QUESTION E-0855/04 by Jean-Maurice Dehousse (PSE) to the Commission. Security in Brussels.
Date: 2004-03-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Brussels region, European Commission, industrial hazard, interinstitutional relations, public safety, seat of institution

C 84 E/896

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

(2004/C 84 E/0989)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0855/04

by Jean-Maurice Dehousse (PSE) to the Commission

(19 March 2004)

Subject: Security in Brussels

All major conurbations face the risk of a sudden loss of community facilities, including their electricity
supply. It is well known that many are vulnerable to terrorist attack. Most are in addition prone to
industrial accidents, either directly (where factories or industrial plants are sited within their territory) or
indirectly (where they are sited nearby).

This is as true of Brussels (city and conurbation) as of anywhere else, and it is no secret that Brussels is
high on the list of known (cid:1) and even cited (cid:1) terrorist targets. The governor of the administrative district
of Brussels has recently expressed his concern: ‘We are not capable of drawing up emergency and response
plans for the capital of Europe’ (statement published, notably, by the newspaper Le Soir on 23 February
2004 and relayed by Euronews).

1.

2.

Is the Commission aware of this statement?

Had it been informed of this situation in parallel?

3. What does it see as the consequences for its premises, staff and the families of its staff?

4. What contacts (cid:1) regular or otherwise (cid:1) has the Commission maintained with the Brussels and
Belgian authorities since it first occupied premises in Brussels?

5.

Does the Commission have premises outside Brussels where the same security problem could arise?

If so, what is the state of affairs regarding these premises and regarding relations with the authorities

6.
concerned?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(28 April 2004)

The Commission has not been officially informed of the particular statement referred to in the question
but naturally noted the information reported in the Belgian press.

As Belgium is the host country for the Commission in Brussels, the Commission, in co-ordination with
other EU Institutions in Brussels,
is in sustained contact with the relevant authorities in the Belgian
Government on security matters and this close cooperation will continue in order to help to maintain
protection for persons and premises.

As the Honourable Member will understand, the maintenance of effective physical security for Commission
staff, buildings and assets in Brussels and elsewhere requires that details of provisions are not given in
public.

(2004/C 84 E/0990)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0856/04

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(19 March 2004)

Subject: Protecting traditional industries

At a recent meeting with representatives of the employees of Fosforeira Portuguesa in Espinho, Portugal,
the questioner was informed of the problems the company is experiencing, which may jeopardise its
viability in the future. The issue is competition, because of imports of matches from the accession
countries and third countries, such as China.