WRITTEN QUESTION No. 988/98 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI , Amedeo AMADEO , Roberta ANGELILLI , Spalato BELLERE' , Marco CELLAI , Sebastiano MUSUMECI , Gastone PARIGI , Salvatore TATARELLA , Antonio TRIZZA to the Commission. Pre- accession negotiations with Slovenia
C 310/152 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 9. 10. 98 (98/C 310/210) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0984/98 by Eryl McNally (PSE) to the Commission (2 April 1998) Subject: UFO sightings within the European Community One of my constituents has enquired about Europeís position on Unidentified Flying Objects. In his letter, he reports two witnessed sightings of UFOs in Britain and also in Belgium, both involving military personnel. When he approached national ministers for their response, he felt it inappropriately lax, and this led him to question the foundations of national and European security in these matters. He also implies the possibility of a cover-up which may well be detrimental to European citizens and the notion of security in general. In light of the above, what measures does the Commission feel are required to ensure that European citizens are reassured as to their security in relation to Unidentified Flying Objects? Indeed, is there any European policy on UFOs or room for elaboration on any existing policy? Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (15 April 1998) The Commission takes the view that it has no jurisdiction in this matter. (98/C 310/211) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0988/98 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI), Amedeo Amadeo (NI), Roberta Angelilli (NI), Spalato Bellere· (NI), Marco Cellai (NI), Sebastiano Musumeci (NI), Gastone Parigi (NI), Salvatore Tatarella (NI) and Antonio Trizza (NI) to the Commission Subject: Pre-accession negotiations with Slovenia (2 April 1998) Fifty years after the end of the war, Sloveniaís ambassador to Italy has stated that the time has not yet come for reconciliation between Italy and Slovenia. As is well known, there are still outstanding issues in the field of bilateral relations between the two countries (the return of property confiscated from the exiles forced to abandon their homes in 1947 and recognition of the brutal massacres carried out in the Foibeí limestone chasms), and for some time the two parties have been making diplomatic efforts to reach satisfactory solutions to these and other problems. The ambassadorís remarks contrast sharply with these efforts, and are hardly consistent with his countryís desire to accede to the EU, which stands for peace and harmony in international relations. In view of the foregoing, 1. What is the Commissionís opinion of the statement in question, in view of the forthcoming opening of pre-accession negotiations with Slovenia? 2. Does it agree that, regardless of questions that fall within the province of bilateral relations, this hostile stance is incompatible with the friendly relations, based on mutual respect, that prevail between Member States of the Union? 3. Does it agree that this imprudent and unacceptable attitude, which indicates contempt for human rights in respect of the two unresolved questions referred to above, could jeopardize the smooth progress and objective nature of the negotiations? 4. Does it agree that, as a useful and necessary preliminary to embarking on pre-accession negotiations with Slovenia, that country should be asked to clarify its position with regard to reconciliation with Italy?