WRITTEN QUESTION P-0926/00 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission. New relations between the EU and Indonesia.
13. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 46 E/79 Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission (18 May 2000) Number of Council/European Parliament instruments and European Parliament instruments that were repealed or expired in the year concerned Year 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 Regulations Directives Decisions 193 146 271 227 457 356 416 317 278 315 57 44 38 23 50 27 29 28 13 17 127 187 82 20 27 49 28 46 25 35 Source: General Report (1997-1999); Celex base (1990-1996). Number of autonomous Commission instruments that were repealed or expired in the year concerned (1) Regulations Directives Decisions 612 551 503 698 957 922 949 848 884 881 17 13 27 8 7 10 6 12 22 6 381 260 199 227 241 390 483 237 242 228 Year 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 Source: General Report (1997-1999); Celex base (1990-1996). (1) Except for instruments not published in the Official Journal or published in light type (routine management instruments valid for a limited period). (2001/C 46 E/084) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0926/00 by JosØ Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission Subject: New relations between the EU and Indonesia (22 March 2000) The Commission has announced that it wishes to adopt a new policy vis-à-vis Indonesia and that it is preparing a cooperation agreement. President Abdurrahman Wahid recently visited Brussels where he had meetings with the Commission President, Romano Prodi, during which the topic was apparently raised. As a follow-up, Chris Patten, Commissioner, is due to make a working visit to Indonesia. C 46 E/80 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 13. 2. 2001 Moves to encourage the consolidation of democracy in Indonesia may be looked upon with approval. However, it should not be forgotten that the situation is still critical and uncertain and that a solution has yet to be found to certain essential issues which have justifiably attracted the attention of the international community and, in particular, of the European Union. This is the case with East Timor, whose áfileí cannot yet be regarded as closed, and also (amongst other violent cases of human rights abuse in Indonesia) with the situation in the Moluccas. The five recent resolutions adopted by the European Parliament (1) between September 1999 and January 2000 may in particular be referred to. Any new European Union initiative relating to Indonesia must therefore meet the following conditions if it is to be successfully implemented: [I] a guarantee that the Indonesian Government will not raise any objection to a full investigation and the subsequent trial, under UN auspices, of those responsible for the serious incidents which occurred in East Timor in 1999 and for the brutal human rights abuses committed there, and that it will make an active contribution in those areas, both internally and internationally; [II] a guarantee that the Indonesian Government will assume its responsibilities by contributing financially to the reconstruction of East Timor, which was completely destroyed whilst under the authority of the Indonesian military; [III] full, unrestricted repatriation of the tens of thousands of East Timorese who are currently living in concentration camps in West Timor or in other parts of Indonesia; [IV] guarantee that there will be no backsliding in Indonesiaís democratisation process and that the military will be kept well away from the centres of political decision-making; [V] guarantee that the Indonesian Government will fully respect East Timorís independence and that it will be a good neighbour to the newly independent country; [VI] guarantee that the Indonesian Government will fully respect human rights throughout its territory ü both uphold them and ensure that they are upheld. Does the new Commission initiative on relations with Indonesia meet these six requirements and have they featured in the Commissionís dealings with the Indonesian authorities? (1) Resolution on the situation in East Timor (B5-0067/1999) of 16 September 1999; resolution on the serious human rights violations in the Moluccas (B5-0145/1999) of 7 October 1999; resolution on East Timor (B5-0271/1999) of 18 November 1999; resolution on Indonesia (B5-0339/1999) of 16 December 1999; resolution on the situation in the Moluccan Islands (B5-0034/1999) of 20 January 2000. Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (12 April 2000) The Commissionís communication to the Council and Parliament (1) on Developing closer relations between Indonesia and the European Unioní is a response to the Unionís need to re-define, in the light of recent developments, its relations with this important country. It acknowledges the difficulties of an Indonesia in transition, and offers an active strategy to develop a constructive and comprehensive dialogue, to promote political stability and good governance, to anchor democracy, and to assist reform and the restoration of economic confidence. It does not propose the conclusion of a cooperation agreement. On 20 March 2000, the Council adopted conclusions endorsing the direction of the Commissionís commu- nication, which is also consistent with the spirit of past Parliament resolutions. In the Commissionís view, the Indonesian government is making praiseworthy efforts to address the challenges it faces. These include violent regional unrest, structural economic and social problems, the need to define the future position of the armed forces, and the need to implement effective administrative and fiscal decentralisation. In its contacts with the Indonesian government, most recently at the first Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on 30 and 31 March 2000, the Commission welcomed the Indonesian govern- mentís reforms, and its commitment to promote and uphold the respect of human rights and the rule of law. The proposed new dialogue with Indonesia will not affect the Commissionís commitment to East Timor, where it is contributing actively to the massive joint reconstruction effort being undertaken by the international community. The Commission has explicitly stressed to the Indonesian authorities, on a number of occasions, the need for close and neighbourly relations between Indonesia and East Timor. 13. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 46 E/81 These have improved notably following the visit of Indonesian President Wahid to Dili. The Commission shares the serious concerns expressed regarding the continued presence of displaced people in West Timor, and remains ready to support the efforts of the Indonesian authorities and the international community to resolve the issue of their future. The Commission is also following closely Indonesiaís investigative efforts to establish the truth regarding past human rights abuses in East Timor. It welcomes the declared commitment of the Indonesian authorities to bring to trial those responsible for such abuses. (1) COM(2000) 50 final. (2001/C 46 E/085) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0930/00 by Stefano Zappalà (PPE-DE) to the Commission (22 March 2000) Subject: Earthquake victims in Lazio On 11 March 2000, several municipalities in Lazio, Italy, were struck by a large earthquake. The municipalities affected are situated in an upland area with particular social and economic problems, together with a lack of transport links. Because of the historic nature of the towns and villages in question, many buildings had not been brought into line with recent legislation on protection against earthquakes, and were therefore highly vulnerable. The initial estimate of the visible damage ü subject to investigations being made by the authorities ü is tens of billions of lire (tens of millions of euro). The people affected have had to find temporary accommodation in tents, containers or with relatives living far away. Generally speaking, these people are in difficult financial circumstances or are elderly, and are therefore particularly upset by the situation. Given the above: 1. what urgent measures does the Commission intend to take in order to begin, without delay, the process of restoring the areas in question? 2. what action does it appropriate measures? intend to take to encourage the regional and national authorities to take Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (10 May 2000) The Commission is fully aware of the social and economic consequences for the Lazio municipalities struck by the earthquake on 11 March. Although there is no longer a budget heading specifically for emergency aid in the event of natural disaster, the Commission will do all in its power to assist rebuilding in the areas concerned and to provide the necessary help to the people affected. It is important to stress that, while the main aim of the Communityís structural and cohesion policies is to help reduce economic and social disparities, the Structural Funds do not constitute emergency aid. However, their scope is such that they are able to provide significant assistance towards economic and social reconstruction in disaster regions