WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3666/97 by Honório NOVO to the Commission. Commissioner Franz Fischler's visit to Portugal
25. 5. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 158/173 Can the Commission also state whether this decision excludes all non-Spanish vessels from the new fishing zone and whether the decision prevents the catching of any and all species of fish? Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (17 December 1997) The Spanish Government has established a fisheries protection zone in the Mediterranean 49 miles in breadth from the baselines starting from Punta Negra-Cabo de Gata and running eastwards to the median line with the other bordering countries. The legal basis on which this decision, taken without appropriate prior consultation, was adopted is Article 56 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982. The Commissionís information is that the Spanish authorities have not yet drawn up a chart showing the exact delimitation of the zone, as required under Articles 74 and 75 of the Convention. The Spanish authorities state that the primary purpose of the zone is conservation of bluefin tuna. Community rules will apply as soon as the zone is operational. Access by Community fishing vessels must be free from discrimination by nationality. Access to fishery resources by non- Community vessels will be possible only on the basis of an agreement negotiated by the flag State with the Community. (98/C 158/232) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3666/97 by Hono·rio Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (10 November 1997) Subject: Commissioner Franz Fischlerís visit to Portugal On 3 November 1997, Commissioner Franz Fischler visited Portugal to participate in meetings with representatives of the various national associations representing the agricultural sector. During his visit, the Commissioner held meetings with the Prime Minister (Secretary-General of the Socialist Party) and with the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party; Commission President Jacques Santer, visiting Portugal on 7 October 1997, likewise held meetings only with the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party and Chairman of the Social Democratic Party. I imagine that the Commission knows that five political parties occupy seats in the Portuguese Parliament, and that representatives of four of the five parties sit in the European Parliament. The attitude to the full spectrum of Portuguese political life adopted by various Commission representatives visiting Portugal begins, therefore, to look very odd, not to say discretionary. How does the Commission justify this attitude? Does the Commission intend to make immediate changes to this manner of proceeding whenever one of its current Members visits Portugal or not? Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (19 November 1997) The members of the Commission take pleasure in meeting a wide range of people, but are not able to meet all political parties on the occasion of all their journeys, in particular in the absence of any request