WRITTEN QUESTION E-1004/04 by Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Threat to peace and democracy in Adjara.
Date: 2004-03-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Georgia, parliamentary election, political situation, relations between the State and the regions

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/559

Regarding the fight against corruption, the Commission considers that open and transparent public
procurement procedures are an important element thereof, as set out in its recent Communication on a
comprehensive EU policy on corruption (1). The Commission therefore considers that the Romanian
government’s anti-corruption efforts should include a firm commitment to use open and transparent
public procurement procedures and to abstain from introducing derogations in Romania’s public
procurement rules implementing the relevant EU directives.

More generally, international reports and surveys indicate that corruption in Romania remains a systemic
problem that undermines the rule of law, restricts economic reform and development and plays a major
role in deterring foreign direct investment. The Commission is aware of a number of measures taken by
the Romanian administration during the last eighteen months in an attempt to address this situation: it
adopted a revised National Action Plan against Corruption in December 2002; passed a package of anti-
corruption legislation in April 2003 and in September 2002 created the National Anti-Corruption
Prosecution Office (PNA). These measures mean that an adequate legal framework now exists and sufficient
human and financial resources have been committed in theory to allow for an effective fight against
corruption. Given this situation, the continued lack of success in investigating high-level corruption raises
questions as to the level of political support given to tackle this issue seriously.

(1) COM(2003) 317 final of 28.5.2003.

(2004/C 88 E/0570)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1004/04

by Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(31 March 2004)

Subject: Threat to peace and democracy in Adjara

The autonomous Georgian region of Adjara, which is self-governing in accordance with the Georgian
Constitution, survived thirteen years of threats to its peace and stability from the ousted regime of Eduard
Shevardnadze. Now,
in 2004, Adjara, which fully acknowledges the overall authority of the central
government in Tbilisi, faces renewed threats of destabilisation from the recently-elected government of
President Mikhail Saakashvili. On Sunday, 14 March, armoured personnel carriers and heavily armed
troops appeared at the administrative border of Adjara. It is feared that such attempts are being made with
a view to undermining the due process of the forthcoming parliamentary elections (on 27 March 2004).

Would the Commission agree that regional issues should be resolved through peaceful dialogue without
the threat of military force; that elections are best conducted in an atmosphere of stability and trust; and
that the appearance of the Georgian National Guard on the streets of a hitherto peaceful and economically
successful region, where the President’s party has little support, would constitute an act of aggression
against the citizens of Georgia by their own government?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 2004)

the Honourable Member to the Declaration by the
The Commission would draw the attention of
Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the situation in the Georgian Autonomous
Republic of Adjara issued on 17 March 2004. In this statement, the parties were urged to refrain from any
further escalation which could result in violence. It also urged the authorities of the Georgian Autonomous
Republic of Ajara to respect human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law and to allow for the
orderly preparations for free and fair parliamentary elections.

C 88 E/560

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

The Commission also draws the Honourable Member’s attention to the Declaration issued by the
Presidency on behalf of
the EU concerning the Georgian parliamentary elections. His attention is
particularly drawn to the reference to the preliminary conclusions of the International Election Observation
Mission (IEOM) and the concern the IEOM had over the complete lack of commitment by the authorities
of Adjara to guarantee sufficient conditions for the conduct of a meaningful democratic election in that
region. In this Declaration, the Georgian authorities are also encouraged to work constructively with the
Organisation on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe, to further
democratisation.

The Commission continues to urge the central government in Tbilisi and the authorities in Batumi to work
towards finding a peaceful solution acceptable to all and in the interest of Georgia.

(2004/C 88 E/0571)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1012/04

by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission

(1 April 2004)

Subject: Who is trying to block the investigations into fraud in Euroland?

The blitz by the Belgian police, who raided the offices of Hans Martin Tillack, the Brussels correspondent
of the German weekly Stern and author of a series of investigative articles on the Eurostat scandal and
other delicate issues connected with corruption in the European Union institutions,
is a serious and
unprecedented act, which constitutes a violation of the principle of press freedom.

Does the Commission consider that this police initiative, probably prompted by OLAF and targeting not
those guilty of corruption but someone reporting on corruption, shows that there are people at the highest
levels of the European institutions who fear light being shed by serious investigative journalists on
confidential and ignominious aspects of fraud and corruption in Euroland?

Answer given by Ms Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2004)

On the basis of the information supplied by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the Commission can
tell the Honourable Member that in February 2004 the Office sent the relevant judicial authorities a file
relating to suspected criminal offences.

Article 10(1) and (2) of Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 (1) provides for information about matters liable to
result in criminal proceedings to be forwarded to the judicial authorities of the Member State concerned.

The national judicial authorities are then fully independent in their handling of the files sent.

(1) Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning

investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), OJ L 136, 31.5.1999.

(2004/C 88 E/0572)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1021/04

by Paolo Bartolozzi (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Imported goods in transit held up by customs

(5 April 2004)

Is the Commission aware that goods imported from non-Community countries and in transit from

1.
one EU airport to another are held at customs (for controls) for as much as 30 days?