WRITTEN QUESTION No. 269/98 by Yiannis ROUBATIS to the Commission. Destruction of the archaeological site of Vouthrotou
C 304/66 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2. 10. 98 Will the Council say: 1. Is it aware of these tactics by the Tudjman regime? 2. Does it intend to finance and to support by every means the institutions in Croatia which are being prosecuted? 3. Does it intend to call on the Croatian President to cease prosecuting bodies which are supporting the independence of the mass media, human rights and democracy in Croatia? Answer (8 June 1998) The Council is closely following events in Croatia and is concerned about the fact that democratic rules are still not being observed in many areas, including freedom of the media. The Union is already providing assistance to promote democracy and the development of independent media, including the Feral Tribuneí newspaper. The Unionís relations with Croatia are governed by the áregional approachí adopted in February 1996 and by the general conditions set out in the Councilís conclusions of 29 April 1997. These conditions include respect for democratic principles and the rule of law. The Council will continue to take every opportunity to express its concern that Croatia should act in accordance with recognized international standards. At the meeting which it held in London in March 1998 the Ministerial Troika of the European Union explained in detail to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Granic, what the Union expects of Croatia, in particular with regard to the media. In its conclusions of 27 April 1998 the General Affairs Council also expressed the concern felt by the European Union at the situation of the media in Croatia. (98/C 304/93) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0269/98 by Yiannis Roubatis (PSE) to the Commission (13 February 1998) Subject: Destruction of the archaeological site of Vouthrotou According to UNESCOís World Heritage Committee, the archaeological site of Vouthrotou in southern Albania is one of the most important world heritage sites which is threatened with destruction. In particular, the archaeological site of Vouthrotou in the Examiliou peninsula, south of Aghia Saranda, is directly threatened because of pillaging in the region and the museum during the recent disturbances. Does the Commission intend to support the Albanian State and the archaeological services of the town of Ioannina (Epirus, Greece) to save the archaeological site of Vouthrotou and other Byzantine monuments and archaeologic treasures which are under direct threat in southern Albania? Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (6 April 1998) The Commission would like to refer the Honourable Member to its replies given on the same subject in oral question H-350/97 by Mr Alexandros Alavanos during question time at Parliamentís May I 1997 part-session (1) and Written Question E-1439/97 by Mrs Katerina Daskalaki (2). (1) Debates of the Parliament (May I 1997). (2) OJ C 21, 22. 1. 1998