WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4097/98 by Konstantinos HATZIDAKIS to the Commission. Problems affecting the implementation of the Fourth Financial Protocol for Cyprus owing to a lack of cooperation from the Turkish Cypriot community
21. 7. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 207/165 Does the Commission envisage amending the annex to the decision of September 1998 in the near future, as permitted by Article 8 thereof, to include alveolar hydatid disease, thus allowing surveillance of the disease which can only be properly carried out at European level? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (23 February 1999) Decision 2119/98/CE of the Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 1998 sets up a network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases in the Community (1). The Commission does not intend at the moment to submit any draft regarding the amendment of the Annex to the Decision to include ‘hepatic alveolar echinococcosis’. However, priorities may vary with time in response to changes in the epidemiological situation within and outside the Community so it is important to monitor potential health problems. The Commission is supporting ‘EurEchinoReg’ a pilot project on alveolar echinococcosis. When the results of the project are known the Commission will decide on any necessary action to be taken. (1) OJ L 268, 3. 10. 1998. (1999/C 207/229) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4097/98 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission (14 January 1999) Subject: Problems affecting the implementation of the Fourth Financial Protocol for Cyprus owing to a lack of cooperation from the Turkish Cypriot community The Fourth Financial Protocol for Cyprus is running into difficulties, and there have been delays in the take-up of funds. One of the basic reasons for this is the refusal by the Turkish Cypriot community to cooperate in order to allow the projects in question to progress. Given the repeated attempts that have been made to overcome the intransigence of the Turkish Cypriots ; attempts which have so far failed to produce any results ;, does the Commission not consider that it is time that these appropriations were allocated to the Government of Cyprus for the implementation of projects possibly benefiting both communities, so as to avert the threat that these appropriations may not be taken up and may eventually even be forfeited? Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (12 February 1999) The Commission shares the Honourable Member’s concern. It is currently assessing the Cypriot authorities’ request to use the funds available under the Fourth Financial Protocol to assist projects to back up Cyprus’s pre- accession strategy and reinforce Cypriot civil society by supporting initiatives that help to bring the two communities together, for example, the restoration of the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque in Larnaca. (1999/C 207/230) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4107/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (14 January 1999) Subject: Infringement of the Treaty on European Union ; UK participation in attack on Iraq The participation of the UK in military operations against Iraq is an infringement of Article J. 1(1) and (2), Article J. 2(1) and Article J. 8 of the Treaty on European Union since there was no information or consultation