WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4040/97 by Jesús CABEZÓN ALONSO to the Commission. Candidates for European City of Culture
16. 6. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 187/113 (98/C 187/174) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4040/97 by Jesu·s Cabezo·n Alonso (PSE) to the Commission (14 January 1998) Subject: Candidates for European City of Culture Which cities have so far submitted their candidacies for nomination as European City of Culture from the year 2000? (98/C 187/175) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4041/97 by Jesu·s Cabezo·n Alonso (PSE) to the Commission (14 January 1998) Subject: European City of Culture: the criteria Does the Commission intend to produce a proposal laying down criteria to ensure that the Council of Ministers of Culture of the European Union designates the city or cities which will hold the title of European City of Culture from the year 2000? Joint answer to Written Questions E-4040/97 and E-4041/97 given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (6 February 1998) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the Commission proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision establishing a Community initiative for the European City of Culture event, and in particular Articles 2 and 3 of the decision (1). (1) OJ C 362, 28. 11. 1997. (98/C 187/176) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4043/97 by Jesu·s Cabezo·n Alonso (PSE) to the Commission (14 January 1998) Subject: Release of Cuban dissidents Has the Commission made representations of any kind to the Cuban authorities to secure the release from prison of Cuban citizens Marta Beatriz Roque, Rene· Go·mez, Vladimiro Roca and Re·lix Bonne, who have been imprisoned merely for joining groups of internal political dissidents in Cuba? Answer given by Mr Mar ·n on behalf of the Commission (29 January 1998) The European Union made two official representations in July 1997, through the Presidencyís representative in Havana, to request the release of the four dissidents mentioned by the Honourable Member. These representations were supported by the Commission and made on its behalf under the Unionís common foreign and security policy. In recent communications with the Cuban authorities, the Commission representatives made it clear that release of the four dissidents and, more generally, a change in the authoritiesí repressive attitude towards fundamental rights of expression and association are essential if the Union is to consider stepping up its cooperation with Cuba