WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4053/98 by Nelly MAES Misuse of humanitarian aid to countries at war
C 325/50 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 12. 11. 1999 (1999/C 325/061) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4042/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (13 January 1999) Subject: Export incentives in Turkey The Turkish Government has recently announced the introduction of an export incentive scheme consisting of: % funding for export companies formed by joint ventures which open branches abroad, % payments of $ 400 000 to $ 900 000 for export operations resulting from mergers and % additional export subsidies. Since such subsidies infringe competition rules, are detrimental to undertakings and products in the Member States and are contrary to Turkey’s undertakings to the European Union in connection with the Customs Union: % can the Commission confirm the above? % is the payment of export subsidies in accordance with the spirit and letter of Customs Union? % in any event, the EU must be informed in advance of any export subsidies. Was this done? % what steps will the Commission take to put an end to measures by the Turkish Government which infringe the Customs Union agreement? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (2 March 1999) The Commission has recently been informed about the adoption in July 1997 by the Turkish government of a communiqué 97/9 on supporting the activities of opening and operating offices and stores and promoting trademarks abroad. This communiqué contains in particular a provision for the support by the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat of part of the establishment, operation and promotion expenses of companies, stores, warehouses and branch offices already established and operating or to be established abroad. The Commission is examining the conformity of these provisions with the rules established by the customs union Decision 1/95 and especially its Article 34 on state aids. If these provisions were considered as incompatible with these rules, the Commission would ask for immediate consultation in the customs union joint committee under Article 38 of the customs union Decision. (1999/C 325/062) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4053/98 by Nelly Maes (V) to the Commission (13 January 1999) Subject: Misuse of humanitarian aid to countries at war On 18 September 1998, the President of the Commission said that the European Union should review its aid to countries at war and refuse to provide financial assistance if it was used for war purposes. Afterwards, the Commission is said to have instituted an internal inquiry to identify any diversion of European aid funds and determine what measures can be taken against those responsible