WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3521/97 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER to the Commission. Panama Canal
25. 5. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 158/139 Following the latest contacts with the Cuban authorities, the European Union is studying the possibility of opening a dialogue with Cuba in stages, which would start at the technical level and, depending on reactions from the Cuban side, could continue with cooperation in the field of human rights. It should be pointed out that this approach is based on the premise that the Union will not abandon the means at its disposal if the human rights situation in Cuba fails to improve. The Union will in particular reserve the right to intervene publicly, including in international fora, in the event of a clear breach of human rights. Furthermore, the Union will continue to appeal to the Cuban government to release those dissidents currently in prison. (98/C 158/182) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3520/97 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Council (14 November 1997) Subject: Hong Kong and Tibet In closely following developments in Hong Kong after it was handed over by the United Kingdom to the Peopleís Republic of China, is the Council taking account, with a view to drawing possible comparisons, of what occurred in the case of the 17-point agreementí which was signed by the Peopleís Republic of China on 23 May 1951 and which, following the defeat of the small Tibetan army, promised in its title the Peaceful Liberation of Tibetí? In the light of its monitoring of the situation, does the Council consider that the successive authorities in the Peopleís Republic of China during these 46 years have respected or violated the 17 points of the agreement, and can any lessons be drawn from its behaviour for the future of the former British colony? Answer (12 February 1998) The issue of human rights in Tibet is traditionally given prominent attention in contacts between the European Union and Chinese authorities. The Heads of Mission of member countriesí embassies in Beijing are continuously following the human rights situation of the population of Tibet. As regards Hong Kong, the Union has repeatedly supported future stability and prosperity for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the Peopleís Republic of China. The Union has also emphasized the importance it attaches to full respect for the rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people and the high degree of autonomy accorded to the Special Administrative Region under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. Implementation of these, including the holding of free and fair elections to take place within the period promised by China, offers the best assurance for Hong Kongís future. (98/C 158/183) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3521/97 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (12 November 1997) Subject: Panama Canal In the year 2000, the United States are to hand over the Panama Canal to the republic of the same name, restoring to it full sovereignty. An international conference was held there in the past month to consider the future of this important waterway, which owes its existence to the inventiveness of the French engineer Lesseps. What part did the European Union play at the conference, and how does the Commission consider that the EU might cooperate in the future to ensure that the Panama Canal continues to perform the function played by it since it was opened?