WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3020/98 by José BARROS MOURA to the Commission. Meda-Democracy Programme
C 135/152 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 14. 5. 1999 Reply (7/8 December 1998) The Council recalls that, in the EU’s view, Israel geographically belongs to the Asian Regional Group. However, given that Israeli membership of the Asian Group is unfortunately not possible at present, it is right for the Western European and Other States Group (WEOG) to be ready to recognise that difficulty by, on a case-by-case basis, supporting Israeli candidatures for elections in UN bodies where there are no WEOG candidates. On the question of granting Israel temporary membership of WEOG, the EU’s position remains that it would not be appropriate to take a decision to this effect. Furthermore, it should be noted that for this purpose agreement by the EU would not be enough as a consensus of all WEOG members would be required. (1999/C 135/189) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3020/98 by José Barros Moura (PSE) to the Commission (8 October 1998) Subject: Meda-Democracy Programme B’Tselem − The Israeli Information Centre for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories − has asked me the following question: ’Parliament initiated the Meda-Democracy and Human Rights Programme in 1996, which we understand has proven very useful in the promotion of human rights and democracy in the Mediterranean. We have heard that the Commission is envisioning major administrative changes to the Programme that would have a negative effect on the achievements of the Programme. We would like the Commission to explain to use the nature of the changes envisaged and to convince us that this would improve the work of NGOs in the field. ’ Can the Commission respond to the concerns of NGOs working in the field to provide visibility and hope as regards human rights and democracy? Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (9 November 1998) We envisage changes to the MEDA Democracy programme following the implementation of the proposal for a Council Regulation (1) setting out requirements for the implementation of Community operations contributing to the overall objective of the development and consolidation of democracy and the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, in the Occupied Territories as in the Community’s Mediterranean partner countries. The proposal is currently under consultation with Parliament. The Regulation has yet to be approved in detail, but the main innovations are intended to make financing decisions more transparent, for example by obliging the Commission to submit an annual report to Parliament and the Council on the operations financed and an overall evaluation of such operations three years after the Regulation enters into force. (1) OJ C 282, 18. 9. 1997