WRITTEN QUESTION E-1928/99 by Jan Wiersma (PSE) to the Council. The treatment of Romanies in the Czech Republic.
C 219 E/48 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 (2000/C 219 E/055) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1928/99 by Jan Wiersma (PSE) to the Council (4 November 1999) Subject: The treatment of Romanies in the Czech Republic Is the Council aware that the council of the Czech town Usti Nad Labem is planning to build a wall in a residential area to separate the part where Romanies live from the part where non-Romanies live? Does the Council consider this contrary to the Copenhagen criteria, which must be met by applicant countries? If so, what action will the Council take? Reply (31 January 2000) Yes, the Council was aware of the wall erected between the Romany and the non-Romany populations in Usti Nad Labem and welcomes the fact that it has been demolished by the local authority. The Union had previously joined the Czech Government in condemning the erection of this wall and supported the latter when it urged the local authorities, within whose mandate it fell, to do everything possible to dismantle the wall. The Union is paying close attention to minority rights, not least the rights of the Romanies in all candidate countries. Action is being taken with the governments in these countries to continue the efforts to improve the situation of their Romany populations. The erection of a wall in the Czech town has been but one such occasion to raise the Romany issue. The Union will continue to keep track of the way the situation develops and will be providing support in this matter with other international organisations actively involved (e. g. the OSCE and the Council of Europe). (2000/C 219 E/056) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1937/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (4 November 1999) Subject: Losses from EYDAP (Athens) water supply network The European Union provides funding for projects relating to the water supply network in Attica. As water is a basic human requirement, it must be managed to minimise the risk of wastage so that supplies are secure and in sufficient quantity. The EYDAP network reportedly loses large quantities of water. Are there internationally recognised standards for the quantities of water lost in transit through 1. supply networks? What is the percentage range? Given that a large part of the water supply and sewerage network in Greece is funded by the 2. Community, are there figures for the quantities of water lost from the EYDAP network? 3. Is the Commission aware of the above problem and, if so, what measures does it propose to take?