WRITTEN QUESTION E-0015/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Projects for the restoration of Kosovo's cultural heritage.
C 303 E/124 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 24. 10. 2000 situation in all of these areas. This dialogue has just begun and it is therefore too early to draw conclusions, all the more so in the light of recent developments with regard to Sudanís internal situation (dissolution of the Parliament on 12 December 1999 and formation of a new Government) as well as the positive move to normalisation of its bilateral relations with its neighbours, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Uganda. The Council is, of course, fully aware that positive developments at this stage do not necessarily secure the respect of human rights throughout this largest country on the African continent. The Council will continue to monitor the situation in Sudan very closely and to contribute, within its possibilities, to an improvement of the human rights situation in this country. (2000/C 303 E/125) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0015/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Projects for the restoration of Kosovoís cultural heritage (19 January 2000) In its answer to my Written Question E-1587/99 (1) on the restoration of historic monuments damaged by the war in Yugoslavia, the Commission stated that it ádoes not itself have competence to take any measures for the protection of Kosovoís cultural heritageí. Nevertheless, the subject was raised by Commissioner Reding at the recent Council of Ministers for Culture in November 1999, and it was stressed that, after February 2000, projects would be considered with a view to listing the measures required for the preservation of Kosovoís cultural heritage. Does the Commission have anything to add to its reply to the points raised in Written Question E-1587/ 99 following the Council of Ministers for Culture? 1. In what way does it intend to support restoration work? 2. Has a specific restoration programme been drawn up, including scientific studies, timetables and priorities? 3. Will similar attention be paid to the restoration of monuments damaged in the remainder of Yugoslavia? (1) OJ C 170, 20. 6. 2000, p. 41. Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (28 February 2000) Following the recent meeting of the Culture Council and the member responsible for Education and Cultureís statement as to the initiative to be undertaken for measures required for the preservation of Kosovoís cultural heritage, the Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that a covenant has been concluded with the Council of Europe. This foresees the establishment of a high level group of experts in the field of cultural heritage with the aim to propose solutions to problems arising from the damage and destruction of cultural property in Kosovo. The membership of the high level group of experts will be determined through close consultation between the Commission, the Council of Europe and the International Administration of Kosovo and other international institutions and non-governmental organisations such as International Council of monuments and sites (Icomos), International Council of museums (ICOM), Center for international restoration studies in Rome (Unesco) (Iccrom), International federation of association for the protections of Europeís cultural and natural heritage (Europa Nostra). With the involvement of and co-ordination with the International Administration of Kosovo, the Agency for reconstruction (established by Council Regulation (EC) No 2454/99 of 15 November 1999 amending Regulation (EC) No 1628/96 relating to aid for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, in particular by the setting up of a European agency for reconstruction (1)) and the authorities at local, regional or federal level the aim of the high level 24. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 303 E/125 of group of experts is after a survey, to identify in detail the damage and destruction of cultural property, mainly architectural or archaeological heritage (monuments and/or sites) of all ethnic and religious groups throughout Kosovo; to establish a list of priorities for intervention based on the survey; and to assist in setting-up teams of experts from local, regional or federal levels, representing all ethnic and religious groups of the region, who should draw up feasibility studies or intervention plans for the priorities established in by the survey. As to the remainder of Yugoslavia the Commission would like to refer the Honourable Member to its reply to his previous written question E-1587/99 (2). (1) OJ L 299, 20. 11. 1999. (2) OJ C 170, 20. 6. 2000, p. 41. (2000/C 303 E/126) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0022/00 by Bertel Haarder (ELDR) to the Commission (13 January 2000) Subject: European register of fingerprints of asylum-seekers (Eurodac) In view of the Danish reservation on judicial cooperation (Edinburgh agreement), will the Commission state whether or not Denmark may participate in Eurodac, the common fingerprint register? What conditions does Denmark have to meet if it is to participate in Eurodac on an equal footing with the other countries taking part? Can the Commission confirm that Denmark may participate in Eurodac only if it fully accepts the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice? Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission (29 February 2000) The Commissionís proposal for a Eurodac regulation (1) has its legal basis in Title IV of the EC Treaty. The Treaty of Amsterdam contains a Protocol on the position of Denmark which governs Denmarkís position in relation to measures proposed pursuant to Title IV (2). Article 1 of the Protocol provides that Denmark shall not take part in the adoption of measures proposed under Title IV. Article 2 provides that no measure adopted under Title IV shall be binding on or applicable in Denmark. Under the provisions of the Treaty as they apply at present, Denmark will therefore not take part in the adoption of the Eurodac regulation and will not be bound by its provisions. Article 5 of the Protocol is concerned with Denmarkís position in relation to proposals or initiatives to build upon the Schengen acquis under the provisions of Title IV of the Treaty. It allows Denmark to decide to implement in its national law a Council decision to build on the Schengen acquis, and in so doing to law between Denmark and the Schengen States (3) and, where create an obligation in international applicable, the United Kingdom and Ireland. The draft Eurodac regulation can not, however, be regarded as an initiative to build on the Schengen acquis, and Article 5 is therefore not applicable. Article 7 of the Protocol allows Denmark, in accordance with its constitutional requirements, to inform the other Member States that it no longer wishes to avail itself of all or part of the protocol, in which case it would then apply in full all relevant measures then in force. Denmark has not so far announced that it intends to use this procedure. The use of the Article 7 mechanism would however allow Denmark to participate in Eurodac on an identical footing with the other Member States. The Council has drawn up a draft declaration to the Eurodac regulation to the effect that it would be interested in the conclusion of an agreement between the Community and Denmark, allowing the latter to