WRITTEN QUESTION E-1595/99 by Christoph Konrad (PPE-DE) to the Council. EU special representatives and envoys and special coordinators.
20. 6. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 170 E/45 products for the presence of Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Because of the time required to carry out these checks, the import of fresh products were prohibited. These measures were lifted on 30 June 1998 by Commission Decision 98/0418/EC of 30 June 1998 repealing Decision 98/0084/EC on protective measures with regard to fishery products from or originating in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique and amending the health certification for fishery products originating or proceeding from Uganda, Kenya and Mozambique (5). The current situation in the region has not yet resulted in specific requests for projects or support from any of the three countries concerned. However, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania have received in depth advice from the Commission on how to improve the standards of their test laboratories and export procedures. It is clear that should any of them come to the conclusion that they are not competent to carry out these improvements by themselves the Commission is prepared to assist in accordance with such request or requests under the current LomØ Convention. In addition the Commission is currently preparing a project applicable to all African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states on the strengthening of fish quality implementation capacity in the ACP countries. The Commission has already received a number of official requests from ACP states. It is expected that the European development fund committee will approve this project comprising € 5 million by the end of 1999. Initially it will be available for the support of ACP countries in setting up legal frameworks; the development of codes of practices for the local industry; the setting up of competent institutions and services; the training of human resources in quality inspection procedures; the training of laboratory staff, and the setting up of laboratories. (1) OJ L 98, 13. 4. 1999. (2) OJ L 108, 25. 4. 1997. (3) OJ L 356, 31. 12. 1997. (4) OJ L 15, 21. 1. 1998. (5) OJ L 190, 4. 7. 1998. (2000/C 170 E/050) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1595/99 by Christoph Konrad (PPE-DE) to the Council (20 September 1999) Subject: EU special representatives and envoys and special coordinators 1. How many EU special representatives/envoys/coordinators are there, including both those who are active and those who have merely been appointed? Who are the individuals concerned? For what regions or countries are they responsible and to what extent do they cooperate with other international organisations? 2. What is the legal basis for the appointment of the above persons? What are their respective terms of office? Where are they based, or where are their activities centred? What financial and material resources does each have at his/her disposal (including the budget for travelling)? What is the size of their staff (list of posts)? 3. The appointment on 2 July 1999 of Mr Bodo Hombach as the EU Special Representative for the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe was due to expire on 31 July 1999 unless formally confirmed by a Joint Action pursuant to Article 2 of the relevant decision. Is the formal decision on the stability pact deemed such confirmation? 4. Why are there now two EU fora, existing side by side, for the stability process in South-Eastern Europe, namely (a) the Royaumont process under EU Special Representative P. Roumeliotis, based in Thessaloniki and with a budget of € 550 000 for May 1999 to May 2000, and (b) the stability pact under EU Special Representative B. Hombach, based in Brussels and with a budget of € 850 000 for 1999? How are the functions of the two fora differentiated, and to whom is each required to report and accountable (e. g. the new Mr CFSPí, J. Solana)? C 170 E/46 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 6. 2000 Reply (29 November 1999) The EU has currently the following Special Representatives (EUSR), which are appointed on the basis of Article 18. 5 of the TEU: 1. Mr Aldo Ajello: EUSR for the African Great Lakes Region (Joint Action 96/250/CFSP). Annual mandate (current one expiring on 31 July 2000, see Council Decision 1999/423/CFSP). Current budget: € 1 137 000. Team: 4 people. Brussels office. 2. Mr Miguel Angel Moratinos: EUSR for the Middle East Peace Process (Joint Action 96/676/CFSP). Annual mandate (current one expiring on 31 December 1999). Current budget: € 2 400 000. Team: 9 people. Brussels office. 3. Mr Niels Eriksson: EU Adviser to Palestinian Authority on terrorism (Joint Action 97/289/CFSP). Appointed initially for three years, was extended until 31 May 2002 (Joint Action 1999/440/CFSP). Budget: € 3 600 000 until 30 June 2000. Team: 3 people. Based in Ramallah. 4. Mr Bodo Hombach: EUSR appointed to act as Coordinator of the Stability Pact for South-East Europe. Appointed by Council Decision 1999/345/CFSP and confirmed by Council Joint Action 1999/523/ CFSP of 29 July 1999 until 31 December 1999. Budget: € 850 000. Team: 22 people. Brussels office. 5. Mr Panagiotis Roumeliotis: EUSR for the Royaumont Process (stability and good-neighbourliness in South-East Europe, see Common Position 98/633/CFSP). Annual mandate, current one expiring on 31 May 2000 (Council Decision 1999/361/CFSP). Current budget: € 550 000. Team: 4 people. Brussels office. The Royaumont Process was launched on 13 December 1995. It is intended that the Process will be incorporated into the OSCE in due time. It covers human rights and democratisation issues in the broad region of South-east Europe. The Stability Pact was formally adopted in Cologne on 10 June 1999. Its aim is to develop a synergy between organisations and other initiatives in the region. Democratisation and Human Rights are an important aspect of the Stability Pact. In this regard the EUSR Roumeliotis actively contributes to the work of the Stability Pactís Working Table on Democratisation and Human Rights. Moreover Article 2 of Joint Action 1999/523/CFSP states that the EUSR, Mr Hombach and the EUSR, Mr Roumeliotis shall coordinate their action. Concerning accountability of EUSR, Article 4 of Joint Action 1999/523/CFSP states that áthe EUSR shall be guided by, and report under the authority of, the Presidency, assisted by the Secretary General to the Council on a regular basis and as the need arises [ ]í. Following the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty, this wording will be added to all Joint Actions on EUSR in the future. (2000/C 170 E/051) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1596/99 by James Nicholson (PPE-DE) to the Council (20 September 1999) Subject: Human rights in Uzbekistan Concerned Christians in the European Union are continuing to draw attention to alleged abuses of human rights in Uzbekistan. They have pointed out that cases of Pastor Rashid Turibayev, Parhad Yangibayev, Iset Tanishiev and Nail Asanov who, they claim, have been jailed on false charges of drug possession