WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1422/99 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI Bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade
29. 1. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 27 E/61 (2000/C 27 E/073) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1421/99 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: Recognition of Antonio Zottiís parental rights For a number of years Antonio Zotti, an Italian citizen, has been engaged in a fierce legal battle to secure recognition of his parental rights over his own daughter Sabrina, who has not yet reached the age of majority and who is currently living with her Romanian mother Alina Bodea. Despite the fact that the Italian authorities have awarded custody to the father and although the visas allowing his daughter to leave the country have expired, the mother has taken the child to Romania and is refusing to allow Antonio Zotti any contact with her. In view of the above, could the Commission say: 1. whether or not it thinks that representations should be made to the Romanian authorities in order to secure recognition of Antonio Zottiís parental rights? 2. which directives regulate such issues at European level? 3. whether it is to express a general view on the matter as a whole? Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission (15 October 1999) According to the Honourable Memberís description of the case, an Italian national has been awarded custody of his child by the Italian authorities. The mother, a Romanian national, has taken the child to Romania in breach of the custody order and has even deprived the father of his visiting rights since she refuses to allow him any contact with his daughter. There is as yet no Union legislation for resolving such cases where a child has been abducted across frontiers. Neither the Commission nor any other Union institution would therefore be 1. international competent to approach the Romanian authorities concerning this unfortunate case. On 25 October 1980 a Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction was 2. concluded in The Hague. According to Article 1 of this Convention, its aims are á(a) to secure the prompt return of children wrongfully removed to or retained in any Contracting State; and (b) to ensure that rights of custody and of access under the law of one Contracting State are effectively respected in the other Contracting States. í The Hague Conference on Private International Law has supplied information to the effect that the Convention has been signed and ratified by Italy and that Romania has acceded to the Convention but Romanian accession has not yet been accepted by Italy. Once this formality has been completed, the case could be referred to the central authorities whom Italy and Romania have designated under Article 6 áto discharge the duties imposed by the Conventioní. Particulars of the Italian and Romanian central authorities are being sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliamentís Secretariat. (2000/C 27 E/074) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1422/99 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Council (1 September 1999) Subject: Bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade The ámistakeí which led to the bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade is a serious event on account of the diplomatic and strategic implications it may have, but it also highlights once again the role (and the associated responsibilities) of the EU Member Statesí governments within the Atlantic Council and of the NATO military bodies which are an offshoot thereof