WRITTEN QUESTION No. 310/98 by Magda AELVOET to the Council. Security in Great Lakes Region of Africa
C 196/124 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 6. 98 The Council certainly shares the view that the European Unionís action aimed at promoting democracy and respect for human rights in the framework of the Community and its Members Statesí cooperation policies should be guided by objective and equitable criteria and should be implemented in a coherent and consistent manner. (98/C 196/173) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0299/98 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council (17 February 1998) Subject: Separate EU Ambassador for Asia Can the Council President indicate why, to date, nothing has been done to appoint a separate EU 1. Ambassador for Asia? 2. On the eve of the Europe-Asia Summit in London, is the Council President aware that the appointment of a separate EU Ambassador for Asia would, in a symbolic manner, emphasize EU unity in the light of the crisis in Asia and that it might help towards curbing the adverse effects of the current crisis on the economic situation and on employment, not only in Asia but also in the European Union? Answer (30 April 1998) The General Affairs Council on 23 February 1998 discussed the European Unionís response to the financial crisis in Asia. The Presidency agreed to consider appointing a Special Representative, who could visit the region to underline Europeís support for those affected by the Asian financial crisis. In the light of that discussion, the Presidency has decided to appoint Mr Derek Fatchett, Foreign Office Minister responsible for Asia, as its Special Representative. Mr Fatchett visited Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore from 3-7 March accompanied by Mr Cloos, representative of the European Commission. The visit was a clear signal of the importance which the European Union attaches to helping tackle the crisis affecting Asia. It was designed to dispel any impression that Europe is less engaged than eg. the US in responding to the difficulties facing many of our Asian partners. It also provided an opportunity to make clear the EUís desire to discuss the Asian financial crisis at the 2nd Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 2) in April 1998. (98/C 196/174) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0310/98 by Magda Aelvoet (V) to the Council (9 February 1998) Subject: Security in Great Lakes Region of Africa Does the Council intend to support international efforts for the reactivation of the United Nations International Commission (Rwanda) and the extension of its mandate to investigate arms flows to the Great Lakes region, as called for by the European Parliament? Does the Council support international calls for the deployment of United Nations or Organization of African Unity observers to key airstrips and crossing points in the Great Lakes region?