WRITTEN QUESTION P-1741/99 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Threats to European investments in Chile.
C 170 E/88 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 6. 2000 The following questions are put to the Commission: 1. In the light of the information available, does the Commission consider that current conditions are sufficiently safe to enable EU students to continue their courses in Yugoslavia? 2. Does the Commission not agree that the best solution would be to transfer students to universities in they avoid the mounting dangers and continue their courses their countries of origin so that undistracted? 3. What initiatives could the Commission take to deal effectively with the problems of these students? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (25 October 1999) As regards the general issues raised concerning the environmental consequences for Serbia of the Kosovo conflict, the Honourable Member is referred to the answer given by the Commission to written question P-498/99 by Mr Watts (1) and the answer given to the Honourable Memberís written question E-1512/99 (2). The Commission cannot comment on whether the conditions within a third country are sufficiently safe to enable students from Member States to pursue their chosen studies. The question of transfer of students from universities in third countries to those in Member States is a matter for the students themselves and for the universities concerned. The Commission does not intend to take any initiative in this regard. (1) OJ C 348, 3. 12. 1999, p. 85. (2) OJ C 27 E, 29. 1. 2000, p. 103. (2000/C 170 E/101) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1741/99 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission Subject: Threats to European investments in Chile (30 September 1999) Information from official sources appears to indicate that Spanish firms with investments in Chile have recently been subject to pressure from the Chilean authorities. Does the Commission have any evidence of this? Does the Commission agree that any kind of pressure on firms from one Member State would amount to a clear gesture of hostility towards the European Union as a whole? Has the Commission sought to obtain further details of these reports? Should the reports be confirmed, does the Commission intend to take any measures in the context of the cooperation agreements between the Union and Chile? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (15 October 1999) The Commission is aware that the Chilean Foreign Minister, Juan Gabriel ValdØs, held a private meeting with some Spanish company directors in Santiago de Chile. The Commission and its delegation in Chile have never been informed that the Chilean authorities have ever taken a fixed discriminatory position against Spanish companies, nor do they have evidence at present that any pressure has ever been brought to bear on companies from any of the Member States. 20. 6. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 170 E/89 Obviously any unwarranted action taken against companies from a Member State will be dealt with according to existing Community procedures. Relations between the Community and its Member States and Chile are governed by the Framework Cooperation Agreement. Article 33(2) of the agreement says that the Joint Council, made up by members of the Council and the Commission, and representatives from Chile, should examine important problems and all other bilateral and international issues of common interest, with the aim of achieving the objectives of the agreement. The aim of the agreement is to strengthen existing relations between the Community and Chile, and the Commission will do everything within its power to preserve and improve the level and quality of the relations. (2000/C 170 E/102) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1742/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (1 October 1999) Subject: Construction of nuclear power plant in earthquake zone at Akkuyu, Turkey The recent disastrous earthquake measuring 7,4 on the Richter scale in north-east Turkey and last yearís earthquake measuring 6 on the Richter scale at Adana have provoked further alarm over the risk of a future earthquake in the region of Akkuyu, where Turkey plans to build a nuclear power plant. This area is only 27 kilometres from the active seismic fault known as Ecemis. We are aware that the European Union áis not empowered to participate in procedures for selecting sites for nuclear reactorsí but that does not reassure the populations of Turkey and its neighbouring countries about the risk of a nuclear accident owing to the exceptionally high level of seismic activity in the region. What means does the Commission have at its disposal to persuade Turkey to devise other solutions to its energy problem? What initiatives does it intend to take? Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission (11 November 1999) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question P-1423/99 by Mr Trakatellis (1). (1) See page 9. (2000/C 170 E/103) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1744/99 by Carmen Cerdeira Morterero (PSE) to the Commission (1 October 1999) Subject: Attacks on homosexuals There has recently been an escalation in the number of attacks on gay and lesbian communities throughout Europe. Incidents such as the throwing of an explosive device at a gay bar in the city of Gijón on 1 August 1999, or the terrorist attack on a similar establishment in London in which several lives were lost, are truly alarming developments. Such crimes are particularly serious in a region such as the European Union, where the protection of human rights is a basic issue, especially at the present time when we are drafting a European Charter of Fundamental Rights