DIRECTORATE FOR THE PLANNING OF PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS

ACTIVITIES

06/A-2004

Directorate-General for the Presidency

EN EN ABBREVIATIONS USED

Political Groups

PPE-DE Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats PSE Group of the Party of European Socialists ELDR Group of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party Verts/ALE Group of the Greens / European Free Alliance GUE/NGL Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left UEN Union for Europe of the Nations group EDD Group for a Europe of Democracies and Diversities NI Non-attached Members

Committees

AFET Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy BUDG Committee on Budgets CONT Committee on Budgetary Control LIBE Committee on Citizens’ Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs ECON Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs JURI Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market ITRE Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy EMPL Committee on Employment and Social Affairs ENVI Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy AGRI Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development PECH Committee on Fisheries RETT Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism CULT Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport DEVE Committee on Development and Cooperation AFCO Committee on Constitutional Affairs FEMM Committee on Women’s Rights and Equal Opportunities PETI Committee on Petitions MARE Temporary Committee on improving safaty at sea

http://www.europarl.ep.ec/bulletins (Intranet) http://www.europarl.eu.int/bulletins (Internet)

\\Epades\public\bulletin\Activités

Closed on : 16.07.2004 CONTENTS 3

PRESIDENCY

Main decisions of the College of Quaestors ...... 8

MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Appointments/resignations/end of Members' terms of office...... 10

MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Written questions ...... 37 Written declarations...... 53

COMMITTEES

Appointment of rapporteurs and draftsmen...... 60

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

Commission documents...... 62

GENERAL INFORMATION

Common Foreign and Security Policy

Declaration on the parliamentary elections in Georgia ...... 70 Declaration concerning the presidential election held in El Salvador on 21 March 2004... 71 Declaration on the parlimentary elections in Guinea-Bissau...... 71 Declaration on the situation in Côte d'Ivoire ...... 72 Declaration on the Occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Genocide in Rwanda ...... 73 Declaration on the Zengeza by-elections in Zimbabwe...... 74 Declaration on the situation in Darfur, Sudan ...... 75 Declaration concerning Council Common Position 2004/293/CFSP of 30 March 2004 renewing measures in support of the effective implementation of the mandate of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) ...... 75 Declaration on Legislative Elections in Indonesia ...... 76 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the verdict in the case of Leyla Zana ...... 77 Declaration on 10 Years of Democracy in South Africa...... 77 Declaration on the applications of specific measures to combat terrorism ...... 78 Declaration concerning Council Position 2004/423/CFSP renewing restrictive measures against Burma/Myanmar...... 78

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 4 CONTENTS

Declaration on the peace process in Burundi...... 79 Declaration on harassment by the Belarussian Authorities in relation to enlargement celebrations in Minsk ...... 79 Declaration on the events of the last few days at the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda...... 80 Declaration concerning the Georgian Autonomous Republic of Adjara ...... 81 Declaration concerning the Georgian Autonomous Republic of Adjara ...... 82 Declaration on recent events in Nigeria ...... 82 Declaration on the adoption of the Resolution and Recommendations of the Pourgourides Report on "Disappeared Persons in Belarus" by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 28th April 2004...... 83 Declaration on Presidential elections in Panama ...... 84 Declaration on human rights in Cuba...... 85 Declaration in support of the IGAD Ministeiral meeting and the SNRC ...... 86 Declaration on the occasion of the launching of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, Addis Ababa...... 87 Declaration on the situation in Darfur, western Sudan ...... 87 Declaration on the recent serious disturbances in Plateau state in Nigeria and the suspension of the Governor and the State Assembly by President Obasanjo ...... 88 Declaration on Phase III of the Reconciliation Conference for Somalia ...... 89 Declaration on welcoming the decision of the UN Security Council on 21 May 2004 to establish a UN peace-keeping mission in Burundi (ONUB) and renewing the Union's call for intensified efforts to ensure a successful completion of the transition process in Burundi...... 90 Declaration on the Lupane by-elections in Zimbabwe...... 91 Declaration to welcome the signing in Naivasha of the last three protocols leading to a framework peace agreement on Sudan...... 91 Declaration on the situation in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo ...... 92 Declaration on the loss of life in San Pedro Sula prison in Honduras ...... 93 Declaration on the Presidential Elections in the Dominican Republic ...... 93 Declaration on the "reparo" process in Venezuela...... 94 Declaration on the Malawi presidential and parliamentary elections ...... 94 Declaration on Equatorial Guinea...... 95 Declaration on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism ...... 96 Declaration concerning progress in Tajikistan towards a moratorium on the death penalty ...... 97 Declaration on closure of Tribune newpaper, Zimbabwe...... 97

European Economic and Social Committee

Plenary Assembly of 2 and 3 June 2004 ...... 99

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 CONTENTS 5

ACTIVITIES OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

This document is available at :

http://www.europarl.ep.ec/bulletins/postsession.htm (Intranet) http://www.europarl.eu.int/bulletins/postsession.htm (Internet)

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004

PRESIDENCY 7

PRESIDENCY

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 8 PRESIDENCY

MAIN DECISIONS OF THE COLLEGE OF QUAESTORS

The Chairmen-in-Office of the College of Quaestors, have circulated the following communications to the Members of the European Parliament:

No 15/04 Reminder of the new rules in force since 1 June 2003 on visitors (nine or more) invited directly by Members

No 16/04 May 200 part-session in Strasbourg

No 17/04 General information about the European Parliament's restaurant services

No 18/04 Supplies of paper for fax machines and priters

No 20/04 Dates for the hearings of the future Commissioners

No 21/04 Sundry items of office equipment made available to Members

No 22/04 European Parliament restaurant facilities and Staff Shop Opening hours and services fro 10 May to 2 July and during summer 2004

No 23/04 Rules governing the use by Members and political groups of office space in the European Parliament's information offices

No 24/04 Quality of food at receptions supplied by outside cateres

No 25/04 Constituent part-session in July 2004

No 26/04 Payment of travel and subsistence allowances by the Members' Cash Office

No 27/04 Access to the Library in Brussels

No 28/04 Construction site in Brussels

Further information may be obtained from the Secretariat of the College of Quaestors in:

Strasbourg : Salvador de Madariaga (SDM) Building, 6/20 Tel. 74195

Brussels : Paul-Henri Spaak (PHS) Building, 8b/66 Tel. 43722

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Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 9

MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

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APPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS/END OF MEMBERS' TERMS OF OFFICE

REPLACEMENT OF A POLISH MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

By letter of 5 May 2004, the Polish authorities informed Parliament of the appointment of

Mr Zbyszek ZABOROWSKI to replace Mr Ryszard KALISZ (PSE), who had been appointed a minister in the Polish Government.

At its sitting of 5 May 2004, Parliament took note of the end of Mr KALISZ’s mandate with effect from 2 May 2004 and the beginning of Mr ZABOROWSKI’s mandate with effect from 4 May 2004.

______

END OF THE TERM OF OFFICE OF A MALTESE MEMBER

By decision of the Council of Ministers of the European Union of 7 May 2004,

Mr. Josef BONNICI (MT/PPE-DE) has been appointed a member of the Court of Auditors of the European Communities.

As this office is incompatible with that of Member of the European Parliament, Mr BONNICI’s mandate ended on 7 May 2004.

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Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 11

RESIGNATION OF A BELGIAN MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

By letter of 28 June 2004,

Jacqueline ROUSSEAUX (BE-ELDR) informed the President that she had been elected to the Brussels Parliament and was resigning as a Member of the European Parliament.

Consequently her membership of the European Parliament ended with effect from 29 June 2004.

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 12 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN IRELAND

By letter of 15 June 2004, the President received official notification of the 13 Members of the European Parliament elected in Ireland.

The following Members were elected1

Liam AYLWARD Simon COVENEY Brian CROWLEY Proinsias DE ROSSA Avril DOYLE Marian HARKIN Jim HIGGINS Mary Lou McDONALD Mairead McGUINNESS Gay MITCHELL Seán Ó NEACHTAIN Eoin RYAN Kathy SINNOTT

______

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN MALTA

By letter of 16 June 2004, the President received official notification of the 5 Members of the European Parliament elected in Malta.

The following Members were elected1

John ATTARD-MONTALTO Simon BUSUTTIL David CASA Louis GRECH Joseph MUSCAT

______

1 Underlining indicates that the Member has been re-elected.

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 13

OFFICIL NOTIFICATION OF THE MEMEBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN SWEDEN

By letter of 18 June 2004, the President received official notification of the 19 Members of the European Parliament elected in Sweden.

The Following Members were elected1

ANDERSSON Jan IBRISAGIC Anna CARLSHAMRE Maria LUNDGREN Nils CEDERSCHIÖLD Charlotte MALMSTRÖM Cecilia EK Lena SCHLYTER Carl FJELLNER Christofer SEGELSTRÖM Inger GOUDIN Hélène SJÖSTEDT Jonas HEDH Anna SVENSSON Eva-Britt HEDKVIST PETERSEN Ewa WESTLUND Åsa HÖKMARK Gunnar WIJKMAN Anders WOHLIN Lars

______

1 Underlining indicates that the Member has been re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 14 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN ESTONIA

By letter of 21 June 2004, the President received official notification of the 6 Members of the European Parliament elected in Estonia.

The following Members were elected1

ILVES Toomas Hendrik KELAM Tunne-Väldo MIKKO Marianne OVIIR Siiri PADAR Ivari SAVI Toomas

C O R R I G E N D U M

By letter of 1 July 2004, the Competent Authorities of Estonia notified the European Parliament of the replacement of Mr Ivari PADARI by:

Mr Andres TARAND

In view of this change, the list of Members elected in Estonia is as follows:1

Toomas Hendrik ILVES Tunne-Väldo KELAM Marianne MIKKO Siiri OVIIR Toomas SAVI Andres TARAND

1 Underlining indicates that the member has been re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 15

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTD IN LITHUANIA

By letter of 22 June 2004, the President received official notification of the 13 Members of the European Parliament elected in Lithuania.

The following Members were elected1

ANDRIKIENĖ Laima Liucija JUKNEVIČIENĖ Ona BIRUTIS Šarūnas LANDSBERGIS Vytautas BUDREIKAITĖ Danutė PALECKIS Justas Vincas DEGUTIS Arūnas PAVILIONIS Rolandas DIČKUTĖ Jolanta SAKALAS Aloyzas DIDŽIOKAS Gintaras STARKEVIČIŪTĖ Margarita GENTVILAS Eugenijus

______

1 Underlining indicates that the Member has been re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 16 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN THE NETHERLANDS

By letter of 23 June 2004, the President received official notification of the 27 Members of the European Parliament elected in the Netherlands.

The following Members were elected1

BELDER Bastiaan LAGENDIJK Joost van den BERG Margrietus J. LIOTARD Kartika BERMAN Thijs MAAT Albert Jan BLOKLAND Johannes (Hans) MAATEN Jules BOZKURT Emine MANDERS Toine van BUITENEN Paul K.T.J. MARTENS Maria BUITENWEG Kathalijne Maria MASTENBROEK Edith van den BURG Ieke MEIJER Erik CORBEY Dorette MULDER Jan DOORN Bert van NISTELROOIJ Lambert EURLINGS Camiel OOMEN-RUIJTEN Ria G.H.C. de GROEN Els WIERSMA Jan Marinus HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT Jeanine WORTMANN-KOOL Corien IN'T VELD Sophia Helena

______

1 Underlining indicates that the Member has been -re-emected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 17

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN DENMARK

By letter of 24 June 2004, the President received official notification of the 14 Members of the European Parliament elected in Danmark.

The following Members were elected1

AUKEN Margrete BONDE Jens-Peter BUSK Niels CAMRE Mogens N.J. CHRISTENSEN Ole JENSEN Anne Elisabet JØRGENSEN Dan KRARUP Ole KRISTENSEN Henrik Dam RASMUSSEN Poul Nyrup RIIS-JØRGENSEN Karin SAMUELSEN Anders SEEBERG Gitte THOMSEN Britta

______

1 Underlining indicates that the Member has been re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 18 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN POLAND

By letter of 25 June 2004, the President received official notification of the 54 Members of the European Parliament elected in Poland.

The following Members were elected1

ADWENT Filip PISKORSKI Pawel Bartlomiej BIELAN Adam Jerzy PODKAŃSKI Zdzisław Zbigniew BUZEK Jerzy PROTASIEWICZ Jacek CHMIELEWSKI Zdzisław Kazimierz ROGALSKI Bogusław CHRUSZCZ Sylwester ROSATI Dariusz Kajetan CZARNECKI Marek ROSZKOWSKI Wojciech CZARNECKI Ryszard RUTOWICZ Leopold Józef FOTYGA Anna Elżbieta SARYUSZ-WOLSKI Jacek Emil GEREMEK Bronisław SIEKIERSKI Czesław Adam GERINGER DE OEDENBERG Lidia SIWIEC Marek Maciej GIEREK Adam SONIK Bogusław Andrzej GIERTYCH Maciej Marian STANISZEWSKA Grażyna GOLIK Bogdan SZEJNA Andrzej Jan GRABOWSKA Genowefa SZYMAŃSKI Konrad GRABOWSKI Dariusz Maciej TOMCZAK Witold HANDZLIK Małgorzata Maria WIERZEJSKI Wojciech JAŁOWIECKI Stanisław WOJCIECHOWSKI Janusz Czesław JANOWSKI Mieczysław Edmund ZALESKI Zbigniew KACZMAREK Filip Andrzej ZWIEFKA Tadeusz Antoni KAMIŃSKI Michał Tomasz KLICH Bogdan Adam KRUPA Urszula KUC Wiesław Stefan KUDRYCKA Barbara KUŁAKOWSKI Jan Jerzy KUŻMIUK Zbigniew Krzysztof LEWANDOWSKI Janusz LIBERADZKI Bogusław Marian LIBICKI Marcin MASIEL Jan Tadeusz OLBRYCHT Jan Marian ONYSZKIEWICZ Janusz Adam PĘK Bogdan PINIOR Józef PIOTROWSKI Mirosław Mariusz

1 Undelining indicates that the Member has been re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 19

OFFICIAL NOMINATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN AUSTRIA

By letter of 30 June 2004, the President received official notification of the 18 Members of the European Parliament elected in Austria.

The following Members were elected1

BERGER Maria BÖSCH Herbert ETTL Harald KARAS Othmar LEICHTFRIED Jörg LICHTENBERGER Evelin MARTIN Hans-Peter MÖLZER Andreas PRETS Christa RACK Reinhard RESETARITS Karin RÜBIG Paul SCHEELE Karin SCHIERHUBER Agnes SEEBER Richard STENZEL Ursula SWOBODA Johannes (Hannes) VOGGENHUBER Johannes

1 Undelining indicates that has bee re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 20 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

OFFICIAL NOMINATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN SPAIN

By letter of 2 July 2004, the President received official notification of the 54 Members of the European Parliament elected in Spain.

The following Members were elected1

AYALA SENDER Inés MARTÍNEZ MARTÍNEZ Miguel Angel AYUSO GONZÁLEZ María del Pilar MASIP HIDALGO Antonio BADÍA i CUTXET María MATO ADROVER Ana BARÓN CRESPO Enrique MAYOR OREJA Jaime María BORRELL FONTELLES José MEDINA ORTEGA Manuel CALABUIG RULL Joan MÉNDEZ DE VIGO Íñigo CARNERO GONZÁLEZ Carlos MENÉNDEZ del VALLE Emilio del CASTILLO VERA Pilar MEYER PLEITE Willy CERCAS Alejandro MIGUÉLEZ RAMOS Rosa DÍAZ DE MERA GARCÍA CONSUEGRA MILLÁN MON Francisco José Augustín MONTORO ROMERO Cristóbal Ricardo DÍEZ GONZÁLEZ Rosa M. MORENO SÁNCHEZ Javier DÜHRKOP DÜHRKOP Bárbara OBIOLS i GERMÀ Raimon FERNÁNDEZ MARTÍN Fernando ORTUONDO LARREA Josu FRAGA ESTÉVEZ Carmen PLEGUEZUELOS AGUILAR Francisca GALEOTE QUECEDO Gerardo POMÉS RUIZ José Javier GARCÍA-MARGALLO Y MARFIL RIERA MADURELL Teresa José Manuel ROMEVA RUEDA Raũl GARCÍA PÉREZ Iratxe RUDI UBEDA Luisa Fernanda GARRIGA POLLEDO Salvador M. SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA de GRANDES PASCUAL Luis José Ignacio GUARDANS CAMBÓ Ignasi SALINAS GARCÍA María Isabel GUTIÉRREZ-CORTINES Cristina SÁNCHEZ PRESEDO Antolín HAMMERSTEIN MINTZ David SORNOSA MARTÍNEZ María HERRANZ GARCÍA María Esther VALENCIANO MARTÍNEZ-OROZCO HERRERO-TEJEDOR ALGAR María Elena Luis Francisco VARELA SUANZES-CARPEGNA Daniel ITURGAIZ ANGULO Carlos José VIDAL-QUADRAS ROCA Alejo JOAN i MARÍ Bernat YAÑEZ-BARNUEVO GARCÍA Luis LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE Antonio

1 Undelining indicates that has bee re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 21

OFFICIAL NOMINATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN LATVIA

By letter of 6 July 2004, the President received official notification of the 9 Members of the European Parliament elected in Latvia.

The following Members were elected1

ANDREJEVS Georgs DOMBROVSKIS Valdis KRASTS Guntars KRISTOVSKIS Ģirts Valdis KUŠĶIS Aldis PĪKS Rihards VAIDERE Inese ŽDANOKA Tatjana ZĪLE Roberts

1 Undelining indicates that has bee re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 22 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

OFFICIAL NOMINATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN PORTUGAL

By letter of 7 July 2004, the President received official notification of the 24 Members of the European Parliament elected in Portugal.

The following Members were elected1

ASSIS Francisco GOMES Ana CAPOULAS SANTOS Luis GRAÇA MOURA Vasco CASACA Paulo JARDIM FERNANDES Emanuel COELHO Carlos MADEIRA Jamila CORREIA Fausto MARQUES Sérgio COSTA António PORTAS Miguel de DEUS PINHEIRO João QUEIRÓ Luís ESTEVES Assunção RIBEIRO Sérgio ESTRELA Edite RIBEIRO E CASTRO José FERREIRA Elisa dos SANTOS Manuel António FIGUEIREDO Ilda SILVA PENEDA José Albino FREITAS Duarte SOUSA PINTO Sérgio

1 Undelining indicates that has bee re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 23

OFFICIAL NOMINATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN FINLAND

By letter of 22 June 2004, the President received official notification of the 14 Members of the European Parliament elected in Finland.

The following Members were elected1

HASSI Satu Maijastiina ITÄLÄ Ville JÄÄTTEENMÄKI Anneli KAUPPI Piia-Noora KORHOLA Eija-Riitta Anneli LAX Henrik LEHTINEN Lasse Antero MYLLER Riitta PAASILINNA Reino SEPPÄNEN Esko Olavi STUBB Alexander TAKKULA Hannu VÄYRYNEN Paavo VIRRANKOSKI Kyösti Tapio

1 Undelining indicates that has bee re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 24 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

OFFICIAL NOMINATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN GREECE

The President received official notification of the 24 Members of the European Parliament elected in Greece.

The following Members were elected1

M. ARNAOUTAKIS Stavros M. PAFILIS Athanasios Mme BATZELI Katerina Mme PANAGIOTOPOULOU-KASSIOTOU Maria M. BEGLITIS Panagiotis M. PAPADIMOULIS Dimitrios M. DIMITRAKOPOULOS Giorgos M. PAPASTAMKOS Georgios M. GLAVAKIS Ioannis M. SAMARAS Antonis M. HATZIDAKIS Konstantinos M. SIFUNAKIS Nikolaos M. KARATZAFERIS Georgios M. TOUSSAS Georgios Mme KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU Rodi M. TRAKATELLIS Antonios M. LAMBRINIDIS Stavros Mme TZAMBAZI Evangelia Mme MANOLAKOU Diamanto M. VAKALIS Nikolaos Mme MATSOUKA Maria (Mairi) M. VARVITSIOTIS Ioannis M. MAVROMMATIS Emmanouil Mme XENOGIANNAKOPOULOU Marilisa

1 Undelining indicates that has bee re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 25

OFFICIAL NOMINATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN HUNGARY

By letter of 5 July 2004, the President received official notification of the 24 Members of the European Parliament elected in Hungary.

The following Members were elected1

BARSINÉ PATAKY Etelka JÁRÓKA Lívia BECSEY Zsolt KÓSÁNÉ KOVÁCS Magda DEMSZKY Gábor LÉVAI Katalin DOBOLYI Alexandra OLAJOS Péter FAZAKAS Szabolcs ŐRY Csaba GÁL Kinga PÁLFI István GLATTFELDER Béla SCHMITT Pál GURMAI Zita SCHÖPFLIN György GYÜRK András SURJÁN László HARANGOZÓ Gábor SZÁJER József HEGYI Gyula SZENT-IVÁNYI István HERCZOG Edit TABAJDI Csaba Sándor

1 Undelining indicates that has bee re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 26 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

OFFICIAL NOMINATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN SLOVENIA

By letter of 5 July 2004, the President received official notification of the 7 Members of the European Parliament elected in Slovenia.

The following Members were elected1

M. BREJC Mihael Mme DRČAR MURKO Mojca Mme JORDAN CIZELJ Romana M. KACIN Jelko Mme NOVAK Ljudmila M. PAHOR Borut M. PETERLE Alojz

1 Undelining indicates that has bee re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 27

OFFICIAL NOMINATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN FRANCE

By letter of 8 July 2004, the President received official notification of the 78 Members of the European Parliament elected in France.

The following Members were elected1

ARIF Kader FRUTEAU Jean-Claude AUBERT Marie-Hélène GAUBERT Patrick BACHELOT Roselyne GAUZES Jean-Paul BEAUPUY Jean Marie GIBAULT Claire BENNAHMIAS Jean-Luc GOLLNISCH Bruno BERÈS Pervenche GRIESBECK Natalie BONO Guy GROSSETÊTE Françoise BOURLANGES Jean-Louis GUELLEC Ambroise BOURZAI Bernadette GUY-QUINT Catherine CARLOTTI Marie-Arlette HAMON Benoît CASTEX Françoise HAZAN Adeline CAVADA Jean-Marie HENIN Jacky CORNILLET Thierry HORTEFEUX Brice COTTIGNY Jean Louis ISLER BÉGUIN Marie Anne COÛTEAUX Paul Marie LAIGNEL André DAUL Joseph LAMASSOURE Alain DE SARNEZ Marielle LANG Carl DESCAMPS Marie-Hélène LAPERROUZE Anne DÉSIR Harlem LE FOLL Stéphane DE VEYRAC Christine LEHIDEUX Bernard DOUAY Brigitte LE PEN Jean-Marie FERREIRA Anne LE PEN Marine FLAUTRE Hélène LIENEMANN Marie-Noëlle FONTAINE Nicole LIPIETZ Alain FOURTOU Janelly LOUIS Patrick

1 Undelining indicates that has bee re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 28 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

MARTINEZ Jean-Claude SCHAPIRA Pierre Lionel Georges MATHIEU Véronique SCHENARDI Lydia MORILLON Philippe SIMONOT Chantal MOSCOVICI Pierre SUDRE Margie NAVARRO Robert TOUBON Jacques ONESTA Gérard TRAUTMANN Catherine PATRIE Béatrice VATANEN Ari PEILLON Vincent Benoît Camille VAUGRENARD Yannick POIGNANT Bernard VERGES Paul REYNAUD Marie-Line VERGNAUD Bernadette ROCARD Michel de VILLIERS Philippe ROURE Martine VLASTO Dominique SAÏFI Tokia WEBER Henri SAVARY Gilles WURTZ Francis

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 29

OFFICIAL NOMINATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

By letter of 12 July 2004, the President received official notification of the 99 Members of the European Parliament elected in the Federal Republic of Germany.

The following Members were elected1

BEER Angelika HÄNSCH Klaus BEREND Rolf HARMS Rebecca BÖGE Reimer HAUG Jutta D. BREYER Hiltrud HIERONYMI Ruth BRIE André HOPPENSTEDT Karsten Friedrich BROK Elmar HORACEK Milan BULLMANN Hans Udo JARZEMBOWSKI Georg CASPARY Daniel JEGGLE Elisabeth CHATZIMARKAKIS Georgios JÖNS Karin COHN-BENDIT Daniel Marc KALLENBACH Gisela CRAMER Michael KAUFMANN Sylvia-Yvonne DESS Albert KINDERMANN Heinz DUIN Garrelt KLAMT Ewa EHLER Jan Christian KLASS Christa FERBER Markus KLINZ Wolf FLORENZ Karl-Heinz KOCH Dieter-Lebrecht FRIEDRICH Ingo KOCH-MEHRIN Silvana GAHLER Michael KONRAD Christoph Werner GEBHARDT Evelyne KRAHMER Holger GLANTE Norbert KREHL Constanze Angela GOEPEL Lutz KREISSL-DÖRFLER Wolfgang GOMOLKA Alfred KUHNE Helmut GRAEFE zu BARINGDORF Friedrich-Wilhelm LAMBSDORFF GRAF Alexander GRÄSSLE Ingeborg LANGEN Werner GRÖNER Lissy LASCHET Armin

1 Undelining indicates that has bee re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 30 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

LAUK Kurt Joachim ROTHE Mechtild LECHNER Kurt RÜHLE Heide LEHNE Klaus-Heiner SCHMIDT Frithjof LEINEN Jo SCHMITT Ingo LIESE Peter SCHNELLHARDT Horst MANN Erika SCHRÖDER Jürgen MANN Thomas SCHROEDTER Elisabeth MARKOV Helmuth SCHULZ Martin MAYER Hans-Peter SCHUTH Willem NASSAUER Hartmut SCHWAB Andreas NIEBLER Angelika SOMMER Renate ÖGER Vural STOCKMANN Ulrich ÖZDEMIR Cem TRÜPEL Helga PACK Doris UCA Feleknas PFLÜGER Tobias ULMER Thomas PICKART ALVARO Alexander WAGENKNECHT-NIEMEYER Sarah PIECYK Wilhelm Ernst WALTER Ralf PIEPER Markus WEBER Manfred POETTERING Hans-Gert WEILER Barbara POSSELT Bernd WEISGERBER Anja QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL Godelieve WIELAND Rainer RADWAN Alexander von WOGAU Karl RAPKAY Bernhard WUERMELING Joachim REUL Herbert Otto ZIMMER Gabriele ROTH-BEHRENDT Dagmar

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 31

OFFICIAL NOMINATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN CYPRUS

By letter of 9 July 2004, the President received official notification of the 6 Members of the European Parliament elected in Cyprus.

The following Members were elected1

ADAMOU Adamos DEMETRIOU Panayiotis KASOULIDES Ioannis MATSAKIS Marios MATSIS Yiannakis RIANTAFYLLIDES Kyriacos

1 Undelining indicates that has bee re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 32 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

OFFICIAL NOMINATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN BELGIUM

By letter of 9 July 2004, the President received official notification of the 24 Members of the European Parliament elected in Belgium.

The following Members were elected1

BELET Ivo EL KHADRAOUI Saïd BREPOELS Frederika GROSCH Mathieu CLAEYS Philip HUTCHINSON Alain DAERDEN Michel JONCKHEER Pierre DE GUCHT Karel LANGENDRIES Raymond DEHAENE Jean-Luc NEYTS-UYTTEBROECK Annemie DE KEYSER Véronique RIES Frédérique DEPREZ Gérard STAES Bart DE VITS Mia STERCKX Dirk DILLEN Koenraad THYSSEN Marianne DI RUPO Elio VANHECKE Frank DUQUESNE Antoine VAN LANCKER Anne

1 Undelining indicates that has bee re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 33

OFFICIAL NOMINATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

By letter of 14 July 2004, the President received official notification of the 78 Members of the European Parliament elected in the United Kingdom.

The following Members were elected1

ALLISTER Jim FARAGE Nigel Paul ASHWORTH Richard James FORD Glyn ATKINS Robert GILL Neena ATTWOOLL Elspeth HALL Fiona Jane BATTEN Gerard Joseph HANNAN Daniel J. BEAZLEY Christopher J.P. HARBOUR Malcolm BLOOM Godfrey William HEATON-HARRIS Christopher BOOTH Graham H. HELMER Roger BOWIS John HONEYBALL Mary BRADBOURN Philip Charles HOWITT Richard BUSHILL-MATTHEWS Philip HUDGHTON Ian Stewart CALLANAN Martin HUGHES Stephen CASHMAN Michael HUHNE Christopher CHICHESTER Giles Bryan JACKSON Caroline F. CLARK Derek Ronald KARIM Sajjad Haider CORBETT Richard KILROY-SILK Robert DAVIES Chris KINNOCK Glenys de BRUN Bairbre KIRKHOPE Timothy DEVA Nirj KNAPMAN Roger Maurice DOVER Den LAMBERT Jean Denise DUFF Andrew Nicholas LUCAS Caroline ELLES James E.M. LUDFORD Baroness Sarah EVANS Jillian LYNNE Elizabeth EVANS Jonathan McAVAN Linda EVANS Robert J.E. McCARTHY Arlene

1 Undelining indicates that has bee re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 34 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

McMILLAN-SCOTT Edward H.C. STEVENSON Struan MARTIN David W. STIHLER Catherine MORAES Claude STURDY Robert William MORGAN Eluned SUMBERG David MOTE Ashley Dr. TANNOCK Charles NATTRASS Michael TITFORD Jeffrey William NEWTON DUNN Bill TITLEY Gary NICHOLSON James VAN ORDEN Geoffrey NICHOLSON OF WINTERBOURNE VILLIERS Theresa Baroness Emma Harriet WALLIS Diana PARISH Neil WATSON Graham R. PURVIS John WHITEHEAD Phillip SKINNER Peter William WHITTAKER John SMITH Alyn Edward WISE Thomas Harold WYNN Terence

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 35

OFFICIAL NOMINATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN CZECH REPUBLIC

By letter of 14 July 2004, the President received official notification of the 24 Members of the European Parliament elected in Czech Republic.

The following Members were elected1

BOBOŠÍKOVÁ Jana REMEK Vladimir BŘEZINA Jan ROITHOVÁ Zuzana CABRNOCH Milan ROUČEK Libor DUCHOŇ Petr ŠKOTTOVÁ Nina FAJMON Hynek STREJČEK Ivo FALBR Richard STROS Franz FLASAROVÁ Věra VLASÁK Oldřich HYBÁŠKOVÁ Jana ZAHRADIL Jan KOHLÍČEK Jaromír ZATLOUKAL Tomáš MAŠTÁLKA Jiří ŽELEZNÝ Vladimír OUZKÝ Miroslav ZIELENIEC Josef RANSDORF Miloslav ZVĔŘINA Jaroslav

1 Undelining indicates that has bee re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 36 MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

OFFICIAL NOMINATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN SLOVAKIA

By letter of 23 June 2004, the President received official notification of the 14 Members of the European Parliament elected in Slovakia.

The following Members were elected1

BACO Peter BAUER Edit BELOHORSKÁ Irena BEŇOVÁ Monika DUKA-ZÓLYOMI Árpád GAĽA Milan HUDACKÝ Ján KOTEREC Miloš KOZLÍK Sergej MAŇKA Vladimír MIKOLÁŠIK Miroslav PLEŠTINSKÁ Zita ŠŤASTNÝ Peter ZÁBORSKÁ Anna

1 Undelining indicates that has bee re-elected

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 37

MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 38 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

WRITTEN QUESTIONS Situation at 22.06.2004

Author Subject No Helmuth Markov VAT levy on EU aid P-1199/04 Charles Tannock The progress in Ukraine being recognised by the P-1200/04 EU as having Market Economy Status (MES) Roberta Angelilli Municipality of Rome - failure to comply with P-1201/04 Commission Decision 2000/628/EC in relation to State aid granted to ACCL Françoise Grossetête Definitions of waste and waste management and P-1202/04 treatment methods Gianfranco Dell'Alba Suspected irregularities in the management of P-1203/04 European Development Fund (EDF) resources for Project 8.ACP.PNG.003 Charles Tannock The progress in Ukraine being recognised by the E-1204/04 EU as having Market Economy Status (MES) Christopher Huhne Beekeeping E-1205/04 Avril Doyle Waste management E-1206/04 Claude Moraes Human rights in the Maldives E-1207/04 Claude Moraes Readmission agreements E-1208/04 Roberta Angelilli Erroneous exclusion by the Commission of the state E-1209/04 aid assigned to the ACCL [Central Dairy] in Rome Maria Martens Nuisance caused by colonies of rooks E-1210/04 Erik Meijer Construction of a large monitoring station with 22 E-1211/04 dish antennae to intercept international communications on the north coast of the Netherlands near the village of Zoutkamp Erik Meijer Use by the Netherlands of intercepted E-1212/04 communications for international trade in data and violation of national and European rules Erik Meijer Fire hazard due to abandonment of compulsory E-1213/04 periodic inspections of the safety of domestic energy connections on account of liberalisation Christa Prets Croatia's application for accession to the European E-1214/04 Union Proinsias De Rossa Citizenship rights in Latvia E-1215/04

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Roger Helmer NGO funding P-1216/04 Marco Cappato Compatibility between the Urbani law-decree and P-1217/04 EU legislation Jean-Louis Bernié Nitrates P-1218/04 Robert Evans Cooperative movement E-1219/04 Robert Evans Czech Republic's Endowment Fund for Holocaust E-1220/04 Victims Robert Evans Killing of street-children in Honduras E-1221/04 Robert Evans River access E-1222/04 Roger Helmer NGO and civil society funding - European E-1223/04 Convention Koenraad Dillen Access to archives in all Member States for E-1224/04 researchers Erik Meijer Member State nationals employed in another E-1225/04 Member State on low or no wages and subjected to violent intimidation Vincenzo Lavarra Asbestos risk posed by the former Fibronit plant in P-1226/04 Bari Claude Moraes Cooperatives P-1227/04 Antonio Di Pietro Eternal temporary staff at the Land Agency P-1228/04 Maurizio Turco Persecution of the association 'Movimento dei E-1229/04 Finanzieri Democratici' Maurizio Turco Persecution of the association 'Movimento dei E-1230/04 Finanzieri Democratici' Ulpu Iivari The Commission's methods of investigation P-1231/04 Peter Skinner Social Dialogue representation for professional E-1232/04 freelancers Jules Maaten Paper tax stamps E-1233/04 José Ribeiro e Castro East Timor/Australia - negotiations on the sea E-1234/04 boundary between them José Ribeiro e Castro East Timor/Australia - negotiations on the sea E-1235/04 boundary between them José Ribeiro e Castro Angola - the sable antelope E-1236/04 José Ribeiro e Castro Angola - European Union support for the general E-1237/04 election

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 40 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Seán Ó Neachtain Provision of Irish language classes in the European P-1238/04 School(s) in Luxembourg Luigi Vinci Inclusion of Kongra-Gel on the list of associations P-1239/04 considered to be terrorist organisations Ieke van den Burg Review of the Netherlands law on working hours P-1240/04 José Ribeiro e Castro Mozambique - trafficking in human beings and/or E-1241/04 human organs José Ribeiro e Castro Mozambique - trafficking in human beings and/or E-1242/04 human organs Didier Rod Regulation (EC) No 1804/1999: homeopathic and P-1243/04 phytotherapeutic medicinal products Kathalijne Buitenweg General ban on the import of sealskins P-1244/04 Christopher Huhne Working hours E-1245/04 Christopher Huhne Foreign direct investment E-1246/04 Christopher Huhne Foreign direct investment and employment E-1247/04 Christopher Huhne Foreign direct investment and pay E-1248/04 Christopher Huhne Foreign direct investment by sector E-1249/04 Christopher Huhne Payments record E-1250/04 Christopher Huhne Pension payments E-1251/04 Christopher Huhne Impact of plant health measures on imports E-1252/04 Christopher Huhne Public holidays E-1253/04 Christopher Huhne Recycling E-1254/04 Christopher Huhne Trade elasticities E-1255/04 Glenys Kinnock Caribbean rum E-1256/04 Marie Isler Béguin Principle of environmental interference E-1257/04 Marie Isler Béguin Conditionality of the ratification of the Kyoto E-1258/04 Protocol in Agreements between the EU and third countries Alexander de Roo Failure to prosecute environmental offences by JRC E-1259/04 Petten Camilo Nogueira Román Software patents E-1260/04 John Bowis Human rights in Uzbekistan P-1261/04 Christoph Konrad Cross-border VAT fraud E-1262/04

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 41

Christopher Huhne Arms exports as a share of the total of each E-1263/04 Member State Christopher Huhne Arms exports E-1264/04 John Bowis Training standards and mutual recognition in E-1265/04 Accession States John Bowis Protection of fish in the Acheloos river, Greece E-1266/04 John Bowis Tooth-bleaching products for dentists E-1267/04 Glyn Ford Migrants' remittances E-1268/04 José Ribeiro e Castro Mozambique - support for the judicial system, with E-1269/04 a view to combating organised crime in the sphere of trafficking in persons and/or human organs Sérgio Sousa Pinto Building of the Sabor dam E-1270/04 Robert Goodwill Synchronous interconnection of EU/Russia P-1271/04 electricity grids Rosa Miguélez Ramos Crude oil slick on the Galician coast on 4 April P-1272/04 2004 Patricia McKenna Inadequate environmental impact assessments in P-1273/04 urban development in Ireland Patricia McKenna Recognition of Irish as an official language of the E-1274/04 EU Rosa Miguélez Ramos Source of the recent oil slick on the Galician coast E-1275/04 David Bowe UK Government's failure to implement the P-1276/04 Insolvency Directive Alexander de Roo The situation of Lake Pamvotis (Ioannina, north- E-1277/04 west Greece) David Bowe Application of the Posted Workers Directive E-1278/04 96/71/EC in the United Kingdom Franz Turchi Measures protecting the production of chestnuts E-1279/04 Philip Claeys Pre-donor conference for Cyprus E-1280/04 Manuel dos Santos Compensation to the Member States for tax losses E-1281/04 Christopher Huhne EU directive on insurance mediation P-1282/04 Paul Rübig Implementation of Directive 97/55/EC E-1283/04 Cristiana Muscardini Equivalence/equipollence of qualifications E-1284/04 Mario Borghezio Hostages in Iraq E-1285/04

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 42 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Glenys Kinnock Implementation of the Urban Waste Water E-1286/04 Treatment Directive in Spain Glenys Kinnock Economic Partnership Agreements E-1287/04 Philip Claeys Recognition of the Armenian genocide by Turkey E-1288/04 José Ribeiro e Castro Drug trafficking and terrorist networks E-1289/04 Nirj Deva War in northern Uganda E-1290/04 Nirj Deva War in northern Uganda E-1291/04 Paulo Casaca Deficit - proceedings against Portugal P-1292/04 Nirj Deva Human rights in China P-1293/04 Nelly Maes Bulgaria and the Civil Society Development P-1294/04 project/BG 0104.03 Christopher Huhne Care homes E-1295/04 Antonio Di Pietro Construction of a power station at Valle del Biferno E-1296/04 Philip Claeys Limitations of the study 'Migration trends in an E-1297/04 enlarged Europe' Nelly Maes Burundi E-1298/04 Doris Pack Interregional linking of the trans-European E-1299/04 transport network (rail) Belgium - Luxembourg - France - Germany Roberta Angelilli Judicial cooperation on extradition E-1300/04 Antonio Di Pietro and Giorgio Discriminatory treatment of Community research E-1301/04 Calò students by the Max Planck Society Giorgio Calò and Antonio Di Italian cross-border workers in the Principality of E-1302/04 Pietro Monaco Erik Meijer Publicly clarifying responsibility for Phare projects E-1303/04 in Bulgaria and measures to prevent unnecessary delays or cancellations Erik Meijer European measures to discourage the resumption of E-1304/04 massive seal culling in Canada by introducing a total import ban instead of measures taken by individual Member States Erik Meijer Numerical importance of Catalan as a first language E-1305/04 and recognition of its equal status as an EU official language Erik Meijer Europe's failure to protect virtually extinct eels and E-1306/04 elvers from further fishing

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 43

Matti Wuori EU support for indigenous peoples P-1307/04 Robert Goebbels The future of the Paul Finet Foundation E-1308/04 Roberta Angelilli Intervention by the International Court of Justice E-1309/04 and the European Court of Human Rights in the request for the extradition of the convicted criminal Achille Lollo Roberta Angelilli Review of the Stability and Growth Pact E-1310/04 Roberta Angelilli Funding for rural tourism E-1311/04 Roberta Angelilli Funding for sports activities E-1312/04 Roberta Angelilli Interpretation of Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No E-1313/04 2792/1999 as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2369/2002 Koenraad Dillen The Commission's humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe E-1314/04 Claude Moraes Human rights abuses against yoga movement MISA E-1315/04 Roberta Angelilli Refusal to grant the extradition of the convicted E-1316/04 criminal Cesare Battisti Roberta Angelilli Stability Pact: infringement proceedings process E-1317/04 Alexander de Roo Spotter planes for blue fin tuna operating from E-1318/04 Libya in the banned period Claude Moraes Expulsion of members of the PMOI E-1319/04 Graham Watson Gibraltar E-1320/04 Robert Goebbels Checks at the border between France and E-1321/04 Luxembourg Theresa Villiers Internet service providers E-1322/04 John Bowis and Ria Oomen- Implementation of worker safety directives and E-1323/04 Ruijten protection of health-care workers and their patients Marie-Thérèse Hermange Implementation of Directive 92/85/EEC on women E-1324/04 who are pregnant, have recently given birth or are breastfeeding Erik Meijer Systematic use of Structural and Cohesion Funds in E-1325/04 the new Member States to overcome as quickly as possible the disadvantages suffered by the large Roma population Erik Meijer Continuing extreme restrictions on the freedom of E-1326/04 the Israeli citizen Mordechai Vanunu and possibilities of restoring his freedom in Europe

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 44 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Wolfgang Ilgenfritz Real estate tax in Hungary E-1327/04 Stavros Xarchakos Violation of property rights E-1328/04 Brice Hortefeux Harmonisation of tobacco taxes E-1329/04 Marco Cappato Preparatory meetings prior to the World Summit on E-1330/04 the Information Society in Tunisia Marco Cappato Preparatory meetings prior to the World Summit on E-1331/04 the Information Society in Tunisia Roberto Bigliardo Counterfeiting of the European Community E-1332/04 trademark (EC) Marie-Hélène Descamps Managing workplace health and safety conditions P-1333/04 during the assembly and dismantling of fairs and exhibitions Mario Mauro Procedure for appointing the Director of the E-1334/04 European Training Foundation Mario Mauro Procedure for appointing the Director of the E-1335/04 European Training Foundation Camilo Nogueira Román President Arafat's request for an international force E-1336/04 to intervene between Palestine and Israel Camilo Nogueira Román Fifteen more people (including a nine-month-old E-1337/04 baby) drowned off the coast of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands Camilo Nogueira Román World peace and Israeli attacks on the Palestinian E-1338/04 people. Mere expressions of regret on the part of the EU and the latter's subordination to the US President's serious, irresponsible attitude Camilo Nogueira Román Effects of cohesion policy on the EU's economy as E-1339/04 a whole Camilo Nogueira Román Female employment and the Lisbon objectives E-1340/04 Camilo Nogueira Román Financial resources per EU inhabitant which will be E-1341/04 allocated to the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund during the enlarged EU's 2007-2013 programming period Camilo Nogueira Román Comparative results of the implementation of the E-1342/04 Cohesion Fund: the case of Ireland Camilo Nogueira Román Actual per capita budget to be implemented in the E-1343/04 Objective 1 regions following enlargement of the EU to include a further 12 countries Camilo Nogueira Román Productivity gains in the cohesion States E-1344/04

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Peter Pex Activities of EMSA P-1345/04 Cristiana Muscardini Agricultural products from acceding countries and E-1346/04 food security Ilda Figueiredo Subsidies for the Panasqueira Mines E-1347/04 Willi Görlach Subsidies for greyhound racing P-1348/04 Bart Staes Investigation into protection of the ink cartridge P-1349/04 market Luís Queiró Javier Solana's statements to journalists at the P-1350/04 General Affairs Council in Tullamore Nelly Maes Kongra-Gel on the list of terrorist organisations E-1351/04 Camilo Nogueira Román Attempt by Ariel Sharon to alter the pre-1967 E-1352/04 Palestine-Israel borders, culpably abetted by the US President and in opposition to the Road Map Camilo Nogueira Román Privatisation of military forces by the US and UK: E-1353/04 an army of 20 000 soldiers recruited by private companies is fighting in the Iraq war Camilo Nogueira Román Killing of Abdelaziz Rantisi by the Israeli army: an E-1354/04 appalling act of state terrorism undermining the peace process Camilo Nogueira Román Implementation of the Cohesion Fund in the less- E-1355/04 developed areas of the beneficiary countries Camilo Nogueira Román Member States and definition of ports and places of E-1356/04 refuge Camilo Nogueira Román Inquiry into the long-term environmental, economic E-1357/04 and social impact of the 'Prestige' disaster Camilo Nogueira Román Frequent disagreements between Commission and E-1358/04 Council on measures to improve safety at sea Camilo Nogueira Román 20 000 tonnes of fuel oil still on the surface of the E-1359/04 sea or under it: further grave pollution must be avoided Camilo Nogueira Román Full compensation for the 'Prestige' victims E-1360/04 Camilo Nogueira Román Community employment policy and the conjunction E-1361/04 of low per capita income and high unemployment in Objective 1 regions such as Galicia Camilo Nogueira Román Emigration of graduates and professionals E-1362/04 Ulla Sandbæk Saami indigenous rights P-1363/04

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 46 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Juan Ferrández Lezaun Evaluation of the Ebro river transfer project E-1364/04 José García-Margallo y Marfil and Ebro transfer E-1365/04 Cristina Gutiérrez-Cortines José García-Margallo y Marfil and Ebro transfer E-1366/04 Cristina Gutiérrez-Cortines José García-Margallo y Marfil and Spanish National Hydrological Plan E-1367/04 Cristina Gutiérrez-Cortines Roberta Angelilli Funds for the growing of lavender and hops E-1368/04 Camilo Nogueira Román The International Maritime Organisation and flags E-1369/04 of convenience Camilo Nogueira Román EU legislation on sea transport in European waters E-1370/04 Ilda Figueiredo Seconded and seasonal workers E-1371/04 Giorgio Celli Failure to comply with the aims of the Llubí- P-1372/04 Crestaxt watercourse project Hiltrud Breyer Support for high-temperature reactors (HTR) E-1373/04 Brice Hortefeux Successive increases in the price of steel E-1374/04 Bernard Poignant Funds earmarked for clean-up vessels E-1375/04 Jillian Evans Answer to Written Question P-0524/04 P-1376/04 Monica Frassoni EU funding of Portuguese waste incineration E-1377/04 capacity in the light of EU waste policy objectives José García-Margallo y Marfil and Ebro transfer E-1378/04 Cristina Gutiérrez-Cortines Nikolaos Chountis Equal treatment of all European Union citizens E-1379/04 Joke Swiebel Wage differentials between men and women E-1380/04 Joke Swiebel European Gender Institute E-1381/04 Joke Swiebel Domestic work E-1382/04 Joke Swiebel Implementation of EU legislation on equal E-1383/04 treatment of men and women Joke Swiebel Gender mainstreaming and financing programmes E-1384/04 Ilda Figueiredo Closure of applications to the Agro Programme in E-1385/04 Portugal Ilda Figueiredo Credit line for support to farmers E-1386/04 Ilda Figueiredo Support for farmers in vulnerable areas E-1387/04

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 47

Sérgio Ribeiro Borrowing books from libraries E-1388/04 Camilo Nogueira Román High speed rail links between Galician and E-1389/04 Portugal, and the centre of the Union Francesco Speroni Iraq P-1390/04 Michl Ebner The Toledo-Ciudad Real-N IV motorway E-1391/04 Mario Borghezio Violation of political freedoms in Belgium: E-1392/04 judgment against the Vlaams Blok José Ribeiro e Castro Portuguese workers - Netherlands E-1393/04 José Ribeiro e Castro EU - Mercosur relations E-1394/04 José Ribeiro e Castro New drugs E-1395/04 Joke Swiebel European Gender Institute E-1396/04 Anna Karamanou Report on Turkey's progress - reopening of Halki P-1397/04 seminary Maurizio Turco Detention and prosecution of a Syrian human rights P-1398/04 activist Marie-Arlette Carlotti Political situation in the Dominican Republic P-1399/04 Pasqualina Napoletano Advertising broadcasts P-1400/04 Helle Thorning-Schmidt Rheumatic disorders E-1401/04 Glyn Ford North Korean railway explosion E-1402/04 Graham Watson Rules governing holiday pay E-1403/04 Benedetto Della Vedova and Psychiatric and judicial weapon used by the E-1404/04 Olivier Dupuis authorities against the Italian citizen Gian Piero Buscaglia Cristiana Muscardini Delays in the granting of PDO status E-1405/04 José Ribeiro e Castro Angola - HIV/AIDs E-1406/04 David Bowe Exemptions from the Packaging and Packaging E-1407/04 Waste Directive Giovanni Fava Gioiosa Marina (Messina) section of trunk road SS E-1408/04 113 Philip Claeys Statement by Commissioner Patten concerning a P-1409/04 referendum on the Constitution Nikolaos Chountis Mr Verheugen's statements that he was misled over E-1410/04 the Cyprus issue Ward Beysen Parallel trade in medicines E-1411/04

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Graham Watson Suicide internet sites E-1412/04 Graham Watson Amendment of the Maldives Constitution E-1413/04 Koenraad Dillen Legal proceedings against a political party in a E-1414/04 Member State Koenraad Dillen Legal proceedings against a political party in a E-1415/04 Member State Philip Claeys Gerhard Schröder's desire to introduce the E-1416/04 Constitution without ratification in all Member States Philip Claeys Muslim women exempted from having a E-1417/04 photograph included on their identity cards Nirj Deva Good governance, democracy and the rule of law as E-1418/04 pre-conditions for aid effectiveness and sustainable development Gianfranco Dell'Alba and others Violation of the rule of law in Syria and arrest of E-1419/04 Mr Aktham Naisse Nikolaos Chountis Implementation in Greece of clause 4 of Directive E-1420/04 1999/70/EC Joan Vallvé Environmental, social and heritage impact in Ibiza E-1421/04 Karin Riis-Jørgensen EU export subsidies E-1422/04 Christopher Huhne Tetra masts E-1423/04 Graham Watson Repressive measures against Kurds in Syria E-1424/04 Paolo Bartolozzi Crisis in the high-quality knitwear (cashmere) E-1425/04 sector Paolo Bartolozzi Fraudulent commercial transactions in trade E-1426/04 between Italy and Bulgaria Ole Krarup Extension of Schengen cooperation and choice of P-1427/04 legal basis Torben Lund Rheumatic disorders and future EU measures P-1428/04 Heinz Kindermann Animal welfare standards in the ten new Member P-1429/04 States Paul Lannoye Cogema production capacity P-1430/04 Ole Krarup Extension of Schengen cooperation and choice of E-1431/04 legal basis Michl Ebner Problems with the implementation of the smoking E-1432/04 ban in Italian catering establishments

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Enric Morera Català Subsidies for 'Pelota-Jeu de Balle' E-1433/04 Enric Morera Català Ecological damage to the Serra Mariola (Valencian E-1434/04 Autonomous Community) Enric Morera Català Ecological damage to the Serra Mariola (Valencian E-1435/04 Autonomous Community) Enric Morera Català Ecological damage to the Serra Mariola (Valencian E-1436/04 Autonomous Community) Enric Morera Català Ecological damage to the Serra Mariola (Valencian E-1437/04 Autonomous Community) Enric Morera Català Regenerating Valencia's beaches E-1438/04 Marianne Thyssen Evaluation of Council Directive 2002/38/EC of 7 E-1439/04 May 2002 concerning e-commerce Marianne Thyssen Interpretation of European rules on the approval of E-1440/04 concrete products Dorette Corbey Discharges of surplus milk into ditches and drains E-1441/04 José Ribeiro e Castro The Azores and Madeira: regular sea transport, E-1442/04 particularly passengers Niels Busk Feta P-1443/04 Ioannis Marinos Referendums in Cyprus E-1444/04 Paul Lannoye European Living Environment Cup E-1445/04 Paul Lannoye HAARP project and Commission follow-up to the E-1446/04 resolution adopted by Parliament in 1999 Anne Van Lancker and Saïd El Media subsidy rules too bureaucratic E-1447/04 Khadraoui Jan Mulder Distortion of competition by CO2 allocation plans E-1448/04 Karin Riis-Jørgensen Protection against terrorism at sea E-1449/04 Olle Schmidt Directive on the electricity market and the internal P-1450/04 market Johanna Boogerd-Quaak Communication of data on European commercial P-1451/04 flight crew - PNR Agreement Bernd Lange Infringement proceedings due to failure to E-1452/04 transpose rules giving priority to the regeneration of waste oil Catherine Stihler Definition of the 'proximity principle' in relation to E-1453/04 landfill waste disposal

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Catherine Stihler Commission action on the European Parliament E-1454/04 written declaration on cat and dog fur Catherine Stihler Transportation and sale of puppies in Member E-1455/04 States Glyn Ford Tetra mast emissions E-1456/04 Paul Lannoye Dangerous and polluting installations E-1457/04 Roberta Angelilli Funding to safeguard the small mountain E-1458/04 municipalities in the province of Rieti Koenraad Dillen Financial aid to Northern Cyprus E-1459/04 Johanna Boogerd-Quaak Communication of data on European commercial E-1460/04 flight crew - PNR Agreement Wilhelm Piecyk, Georg Financial requirements of the European Maritime E-1461/04 Jarzembowski and Dirk Sterckx Safety Agency Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Ancona under the E-1462/04 Culture 2000 programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Pisa under the E-1463/04 Culture 2000 programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Pistoia under the E-1464/04 Culture 2000 programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Prato under the E-1465/04 Culture 2000 programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Siena under the E-1466/04 Culture 2000 programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Terni under the E-1467/04 Culture 2000 programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Perugia under the E-1468/04 Culture 2000 programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Carrara under the E-1469/04 Culture 2000 programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Florence under the E-1470/04 Culture 2000 programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Livorno under the E-1471/04 Culture 2000 programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Macerata under the E-1472/04 Culture 2000 programme

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 51

Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Massa under the E-1473/04 Culture 2000 programme Margrietus van den Berg Liberalisation of public transport E-1474/04 Roberta Angelilli Update on use of funding from the Daphne E-1475/04 programme by the municipality of Florence Roberta Angelilli Update on use of funding from the Daphne E-1476/04 programme by the municipality of Pesaro-Urbino Roberta Angelilli Update on use of funding from the Daphne E-1477/04 programme by the municipality of Siena Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Terni under the E-1478/04 Community's 2000 City Twinning Programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Ancona under the E-1479/04 Community's 2000 City Twinning Programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Florence under the E-1480/04 Community's 2000 City Twinning Programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Livorno under the E-1481/04 Community's 2000 City Twinning Programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Macerata under the E-1482/04 Community's 2000 City Twinning Programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Perugia under the E-1483/04 Community's 2000 City Twinning Programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Pesaro under the E-1484/04 Community's 2000 City Twinning Programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Pisa under the E-1485/04 Community's 2000 City Twinning Programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Pistoia under the E-1486/04 Community's 2000 City Twinning Programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Siena under the E-1487/04 Community's 2000 City Twinning Programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Prato under the E-1488/04 Life III Programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Massa under the E-1489/04 Life III Programme Roberta Angelilli Funding for the Municipality of Florence under the E-1490/04 Life III Programme Roberta Angelilli Update on use of funding from the Leonardo E-1491/04 programme for the municipality of Carrara

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 52 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

Roberta Angelilli Update on use of funding from the Leonardo E-1492/04 programme for the municipality of Florence Roberta Angelilli Update on use of funding from the Leonardo E-1493/04 programme for the municipality of Livorno Roberta Angelilli Update on use of funding from the Leonardo E-1494/04 programme for the municipality of Macerata Roberta Angelilli Update on use of funding from the Leonardo E-1495/04 programme for the municipality of Massa Roberta Angelilli Update on use of funding from the Leonardo E-1496/04 programme for the municipality of Perugia Roberta Angelilli Update on use of funding from the Leonardo E-1497/04 programme for the municipality of Pistoia Roberta Angelilli Update on use of funding from the Leonardo E-1498/04 programme for the municipality of Prato Roberta Angelilli Update on use of funding from the Leonardo E-1499/04 programme for the municipality of Siena Roberta Angelilli Update on use of funding from the Leonardo E-1500/04 programme for the municipality of Terni Roberta Angelilli Update on use of funding from the Leonardo E-1501/04 programme for the municipality of Ancona Roberta Angelilli Update on use of funding from the Leonardo E-1502/04 programme for the municipality of Pisa Paulo Casaca Refusal to provide lists of deep-sea and demersal E-1503/04 fish species Ingo Schmitt Grants to driving schools E-1504/04 Jan Mulder Requirements in connection with payments from P-1505/04 the FMD Fund in the Netherlands province of Friesland Ilda Figueiredo End of the fisheries agreement with Morocco - E-1506/04 Compensation for fishermen Ilda Figueiredo Changes to the agreements on the reform of aid in E-1507/04 the olive oil and cotton sectors Michl Ebner Liberalisation of the electricity market - E-1508/04 concessions for major water transfers for hydroelectric purposes Dorette Corbey and Jan Wiersma Checks on ships carrying hazardous substances E-1509/04 ______

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 53

WRITTEN DECLARATIONS1

5/2004 341.531 Claude Moraes, Stephen Hughes, Outsourcing (offshoring) of European jobs to Asia, 04.02.2004 04.05.2004 71 Imelda Read, Marie-Hélène Gillig and Africa and South America Alejandro Cercas

6/2004 342.099 Piia-Noora Kauppi, Sarah Ludford, Full and equal participation of Roma in the 'expanding 09.02.2004 09.05.2004 76 Johannes Swoboda and Nelly Maes Europe'

7/2004 342.101 Ward Beysen Postponing the enlargement of the European Union 09.02.2004 09.05.2004 7

8/2004 342.102 Philip Claeys, Koenraad Dillen, Bruno Organising a European multidisciplinary conference on 09.02.2004 09.05.2003 13 Gollnisch and Mario Borghezio demography, the ageing of the population and the European identity

9/2004 342.103 Marie Anne Isler Béguin and Jean The Community status of ecological refugee 09.02.2004 09.05.2004 34 Lambert

10/2004 342.304 Mario Borghezio Compensation for the victims of Communism in Istria, 11.02.2004 11.05.2004 9 Dalmazia and Venezio-Giulia

11/2004 342.557 Marie-Thérèse Hermange, Marie- On supplying approved charities working to implement 20.02.2004 20.05.2004 194 Hélène Gillig, Joseph Daul, the European food aid programme for the most Giorgio Lisi and Georges Garot deprived citizens

1 Situation as at 06.05.2004

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 54 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

12/2004 342.558 Thierry Cornillet, Monica Frassoni, Jo On organisation of a debate on adoption of a 20.02.2004 20.05.2004 146 Leinen, Mariotto Segni and Diana constitutional treaty Wallis

13/2004 342.559 Gary Titley, Richard Corbett, Martin On the 60th anniversary of the Normandy landings 20.02.2004 20.05.2004 59 Schultz and Olivier Duhamel

14/2004 342.561 Robert Evans, Alima Boumediene- On religious rights and freedoms in France and the 20.02.2004 20.05.2005 50 Thiery, Neena Gill and European Union Olle Schmidt

152004 342.763 Philip Bushill-Matthews, Bashir On religious freedom 23.02.2004 23.05.2004 26 Khanbhai and Nirj Deva

17/2004 343.865 Glenys Kinnock, Michael Gahler, On strengthening EU arms export controls and 25.02.2004 25.05.2004 156 Johan Van Hecke, Nelly Maes and working towards an international Arms Trade Treaty Pernille Frahm

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 55

18/2004 343.701 Anne Van Lancker, Jan Dhaene, Säid On airport noise nuisance 10.03.2004 10.05.2004 54 El Khadraoui and Nelly Maes

19/2004 344.007 Nello Musumeci On organised crime 17.03.2004 06.05.2004 11

20/2004 344.008 Marie Anne Isler Béguin On fundamental rights in the EU and a new European 18.03.2004 06.05.2004 20 sense of public-spiritedness based on solidarity

21/2004 344.009 Jean-Louis Bernié, Yves Butel, Alain On recognition of the specificity of wine and defence 18.03.2004 06.05.2004 65 Esclopé, Véronique Mahtieu and Jean of the European wine-growing industry Saint- Josse

22/2004 344.010 Dana Scallon, Hiltrud Breyer, Patsy On child protection in the context of paraphilias 22.03.2004 06.05.2004 80 Sörensen and Hans Blokland

23/2004 344.011 Marie Anne Isler Béguin On optimising arrangements for trade between the EU 22.03.2004 06.05.2004 16 and third countries

24/2004 344.012 Jean-Thomas Nordmann, Glyn Ford On anti-Semitism 29.03.2004 06.05.2004 100 and Lennart Sacrédeus

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 56 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES

25/2004 344.264 Caroline Lucas, Jean Lambert and On health problems associated with exposure to 29.03.2004 06.05.2004 31 Paul Lannoye TETRA radiation

26/2004 344.265 Marie Anne Isler Béguin, Jan On a programme of Community action to assist the 29.03.2004 06.05.2004 59 Wiersma, Hans Modrow, Charles residents of the areas contaminated by Chernobyl Tannock and Samuli Pohjamo,

27/2004 344.467 Marie Anne Isler Béguin, On the principle of environmental intervention 29.03.2004 06.05.2004 20

28/2004 344.468 Hans-Gert Poettering, Enrique Barón On the plight of the hostages in Colombia 31.03.2004 06.05.2004 203 Crespo, Graham R. Watson and Charles Pasqua

29/2004 344.741 Miquel Mayol i Raynal, Ian Hudghton, On the recognition of the right to self-determination 19.04.2004 06.05.2004 21 Nelly Maes, Camilo Nogueira Román and Josu Ortuondo Larrea

30/2004 344.894 John Bowis, Jillian Evans, Imelda On endometriosis 19.04.2004 06.05.2004 73 Read, Catherine Stihler and Diana Wallis

31/2004 344.895 Caroline Lucas, Paul Lannoye, Inger On the marketing of foods to children 19.04.2004 06.05.2004 38 Schörling and Patricia McKenna

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES 57

32/2004 344.896 Jean Lambert, Caroline Lucas, Matti On the deaths of Sikh civilians in Panjaab and India in 19.04.2004 06.05.2004 30 Wuori and Alima Boumediene-Thiery 1984

33/2004 345.097 Carmen Cerdeira Morterero On access for the disabled in the 2004 European 21.04.2004 06.05.2004 84 Elections

34/2004 345.783 Jacqueline ROUSSEAUX, John On the fight against Alzheimer's disease and brain 28.04.2004 06.05.2004 196 BOWIS and Miguel Angel diseases MARTÍNEZ MARTÍNEZ

35/2004 345.784 Bart STAES, Eurign WYN and Säid On devoting attention to youth in policy measures 03.05.2004 06.05.2004 26 EL KHADRAOUI outside youth policy

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004

COMMITTEES 59

COMMITTEES

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 60 COMMITTEES

APPOINTMENT OF RAPPORTEURS AND DRAFTSMEN (Referral: R = Responsible / O = Opinion)

Name Subject Committee Date Doc.

BOOGERD- Report on the level of protection provided LIBE (R) 19.05.04 C5-0124/04 QUAAK by the USA on air passenger name (ELDR) records (PNR)

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Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS 61

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 62 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

COMMISSION DOCUMENTS

Reports and Communications

Subject Referral Doc.

Commission Staff Working document: simplified customs procedures in JURI SEC (04) 333 short sea shipping: 'authorised regular shipping service' RETT final

Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament, the Council, the BUDG SEC (04) 379 Commission, the Court of Justice, the Court of Auditors, the European JURI final Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the CULT Ombudsman

Community Rule laying down the procedure for the transfer of part of an JURI SEC (04) 411 official's emoluments BUDG final

Recommendation for a Council Decision On the European Capital of CULT SEC (04) 464 Culture event for the year 2008 final

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council AGRI SEC (04) 489 on EAGGF Guarantee Section expenditure - Early warning system - N 3/ BUDG final 2004

Recommendation for a Council Decision on the European Capital of CULT SEC (04) 521 Culture event for the year 2007 final

Report from the Commission: Interim report on the implementation of the CULT COM (04) 152 second phase of the Leonardo da Vinci Programme (2000-2006) EMPL final

Report from the Commission: Interim evaluation report on the results CULT COM (04) 153 achieved and on the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the final implementation of the second phase of the Community action programme in the field of education "Socrates"

Communication from the Commission: Making citizenship Work: EMPL COM (04) 154 fostering European culture and diversity through programmes for Youth, LIBE final Culture, Audiovisual and Civic Participation CULT

Communication from the Commission : The new generation of community EMPL COM (04) 156 education and training programmes after 2006 CULT final

Report from the Commission: Interim evaluation of the Youth Programme BUDG COM (04) 158 2000-2006 (covering the period 2000-2003) EMPL final CULT

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS 63

Subject Referral Doc.

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council ITRE COM (04) 160 concerning existing Community measures relating to sources of RETT final environmental noise, pursuant to article 10.1 of Directive 2002/49/EC ENVI relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council AGRI COM (04) 161 on management of planting rights (Chapter I of Title II of Council final Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999)

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European LIBE COM (04) 165 Parliament: Crime prevention in the European Union final

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European PECH COM (04) 167 Parliament: Improving the monitoring of industrial fishing within the EU . final

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament on the RETT COM (04) 180 implementation of budget heading B5-504 "Measures to assist the ITRE final phasing-in in the general budget of the activities financed through the ECSC"

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European RETT COM (04) 191 Parliament on the results of the eligibility mid-term review in accordance final with article 2 of the Council regulation (EC)n 1164/1994 establishing a Cohesion Fund

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European CULT COM (04) 196 Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the final Committee of the Regions on implementing the information and communication strategy for the European Union

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the ENVI COM (04) 200 Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the final Committee of the Regions: Reinforcing the Civil Protection Capacity of the European Union

Commission Working Document on Community Influenza Pandemic COM (04) 201 Preparedness and Response Planning final

Report from the Commission: The Stabilisation and Association process BUDG COM (04) 202 for South East Europe - Third Annual Report FEMM final ITRE AFET

Communication from the Commission to the Council and to the European JURI COM (04) 207 Parliament: Regulation of UCITS depositaries in the Member States: ECON final review and possible developments

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 64 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

Subject Referral Doc.

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the DEVE COM (04) 220 Council on the Commission's objectives, in the framework of the relations AFET final between the European Union and Latin America, in view of the 3rd Summit of Heads of State and Government of the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean to be held in Guadalajara (Mexico) on 28 May 2004.

Report from the Commission to the Council and the Europesn Parliament: PECH COM (04) 225 Implementation of the Community framework for the collection and final management of data needed to conduct the common fisheries policy

Report from the Commission based on Article 6 of the Council JURI COM (04) 230 Framework Decision of 26 June 2001 on money laundering, the LIBE final identification, tracing, freezing, seizing and confiscation of instrumentalities and the proceeds of crime

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European AGRI COM (04) 240 Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee on ITRE final implementation of the Community Strategy for dioxins, furans and ENVI polychlorinated Biphenyl (COM(2001)0593)

Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament : COM (04) 247 Assessment at 31 December 2003 of the Commission's 2001 Action Plan final

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council ITRE COM (04) 249 concerning the Implementation of the Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) ECON final Nr 58/97

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and AGRI COM (04) 250 the European Economic and Social Committee: Life sciences and CULT final biotechnology - A strategy for Europe - Second Progress Report and future ENVI orientations JURI ITRE

Green Paper on maintenance obligations LIBE COM (04) 254 JURI final

Report: State Aid Scoreboard - spring 2004 update ECON COM (04) 256 final

Communication from the Commission: Opinion on Croatia's Application TOUT COM (04) 257 for Membership of the European Union AFET final

Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament CONT COM (04) 260 on the use of administrative cooperation arrangements in the fight against JURI final VAT fraud ECON

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS 65

Subject Referral Doc.

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European CULT COM (04) 261 Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee: The JURI final Management of Copyright and Related Rights in the Internal Market

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European CONT COM (04) 262 Parliament on the prevention of an fight againt organised crime in the ECON final financial sector JURI LIBE

Communication from the Commission: Fostering structural change: an ECON COM (04) 274 industrial policy for an enlarged Europe EMPL final ITRE

Proposal for a Council Decision on the principles, priorities and conditions ITRE COM (04) 275 contained in the European Partnership with Croatia AFET final

Communication from the Commission: A pro-active Competition Policy ECON COM (04) 293 for a Competitive Europe final

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European ITRE COM (04) 297 Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee on the work of the ECON final EU Joint Transfer Pricing Forum in the field of business taxation from October 2002 to December 2003 and on a proposal for a Code of Conduct for the effective implementation of the Arbitration Convention (90/436/EEC of 23 July 1990)

Mid-term report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the BUDG COM (04) 298 Council on the implementation of Edicom II programme ITRE final ECON

Communication from the Commission: Follow-up to the high level ENVI COM (04) 301 reflection process on patient mobility and healthcare developments in the final European Union

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European EMPL COM (04) 304 Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the ENVI final Committee of the Regions: Modernising social protection for the development of high-quality, accessible and sustainable health care and long-term care: support for the national strategies using the "open method of coordination"

Report from the Commission: Quality of gasoline and diesel fuel used for RETT COM (04) 310 road transport in the European Union: First annual report (Reporting years ENVI final 2001 and 2002)

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 66 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

Subject Referral Doc.

Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European ECON COM (04) 312 Parliament: Clearing and Settlement in the European Union - The way final forward

Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament AGRI COM (04) 316 on the implementation of Title II of Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000 of the ENVI final European Parliament and of the Council establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding the labelling of beef and beef products

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the EMPL COM (04) 323 Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the final Committee of the Regions: Community activities concerning analysis, research and co-operation in the field of employment-Final report

Green paper on public-private partnerships and community law on public COM (04) 327 contracts and concessions final

Green Paper on the approximation, mutual recognition and enforcement of CONT COM (04) 334 criminal sanctions in the European Union JURI final LIBE

Communication from the Commission to the Council: Follow-up to the FEMM COM (04) 336 White Paper on a New Impetus for European Youth. Proposed common CULT final objectives for a greater understanding and knowledge of youth, in response to the Council Resolution of 27 June 2002 regarding the framework of European co-operation in the youth field

Communication from the Commission to the Council: Follow-up to the EMPL COM (04) 337 White Paper on a New Impetus for European Youth - Proposed common FEMM final objectives for voluntary activities among young people in response to the CULT Council Resolution of 27 June 2002 regarding the framework of European cooperation in the youth field

Report from the Commission based on Article 14 of the Council CONT COM (04) 346 Framework Decision of 28 May 2001 combating fraud and counterfeiting ECON final of non-cash means of payment LIBE

Report from the Commission on the application in 2003 of Regulation AFCO COM (04) 347 (EC) No 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, LIBE final Council and Commission documents

Report from the Commission on the implementation in 1999-2000 of EMPL COM (04) 360 Regulation (EEC) 3820/85 on the harmonisation of certain social TRAN final legislation relating to road transport (21st report from the Commission on the implementation of the social legislation relating to road transport)

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS 67

Re-examined proposals (Art. 252 (d) of the EC Treaty)

Subject Referral Doc.

Amended proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the ITRE COM (04) 361 Council on Intermodal Loading Units RETT final COD 030056

Amended proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the BUDG COM (04) 367 Council establishing a multiannual Community programme to make digital CULT final content in Europe more accessible, usable and xploitable JURI COD 040025 ITRE

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Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004

GENERAL INFORMATION 69

GENERAL INFORMATION

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 70 GENERAL INFORMATION

COMMON FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY

41/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the Parliamentary elections in Georgia Brussels, 2 April 2004

The European Union welcomes the Preliminary Findings and Conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) to the Parliamentary Elections in Georgia on 28 March 2004. The findings state that the elections demonstrated commendable progress compared with previous elections and that the conduct of the elections has brought Georgia closer to meeting OSCE and Council of Europe standards for democratic elections. The European Union welcomes, inter alia, the IEOM findings that ballot secrecy was improved during this election and that freedom of expression was enjoyed by the media in general, with the exception of Adjara.

The EU has also taken note of the concerns of the IEOM outlined in their preliminary report, including the complete lack of commitment by Adjaran authorities to guarantee sufficient conditions for the conduct of a meaningful democratic election in that region; the failure of the State television to provide a balanced coverage of the election campaign and the continuing lack of a clear separation between State administration and political party structures. We expect the Georgian authorities to address the IEOM’s concerns and to continue to work constructively with the OSCE and the Council of Europe to further democratisation.

The EU recalls its willingness to help Georgia overcome its pressing difficulties through the full range of EU instruments and policies. The EU calls on all parties to ensure the continued calm and to make progress on the important economic and political reform challenges facing the country.

The EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Ambassador Heikki Talvitie, has been in Georgia for the period of the elections, and continues to keep the Council informed of developments there. On Wednesday 31 March he is due to visit Adjara.

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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42/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the presidential election held in El Salvador on 21 March 2004 Brussels, 2 April 2004

The European Union welcomes the successful holding of El Salvador's presidential election on 21 March 2004. It wholeheartedly congratulates the winning candidate, Mr Antonio Saca.

The high voter turnout for the poll, which was freely and fairly conducted, shows the political maturity of the Salvadoran people and confirms its commitment to peace and democracy.

The European Union will continue with its support for the consolidation of democracy in El Salvador and for the country's development.

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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43/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the parliamentary elections in Guinea-Bissau Brussels, 7 April 2004

On the occasion of the parliamentary elections which took place in Guinea-Bissau on 28 and 30 March, the European Union wishes to emphasise the importance of the completion of the electoral process in that country, which is a fundamental stage in the process of transition towards the normalisation of the country's democratic and constitutional institutions. The European Union, in reference to the international observers' communiqué issued in the evening of 30 March, welcomes the calmness and public-spiritedness which characterised the electoral process. Logistical problems, which even forced a delay in opening a number of polling stations, in particular in Bissau, were overcome and no significant act of violence was recorded. The elections were fair, free and transparent. The European Union congratulates the people of Guinea-Bissau on the high turnout in the recent election in that country. The European Union urges all parties concerned to accept and comply with the outcome of the electoral process. The European Union reaffirms its willingness to help Guinea-Bissau in the process of normalisation of its economic and social situation and also reaffirms its commitment to helping the country in its efforts to consolidate its institutions.

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004 72 GENERAL INFORMATION

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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44/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the situation in Côte d'Ivoire Brussels, 8 April 2004

Referring to the Presidency's declaration of 25 and 26 March, the European Union:

1. Deeply deplores the events of 25 March and subsequent days, which call into question the process of reconciliation in Côte d'Ivoire;

2. Expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the victims of those events;

3. Is concerned at reports of raids and other serious violations of human rights in the days that followed;

4. Welcomes the fact that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has announced the setting up of an international commission of inquiry to investigate these events;

5. Calls on the Government of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire to take all necessary measures to restore confidence in the security forces and guarantee the safety and human rights of all Ivorian and foreign nationals in the country;

6. Reiterates its firm belief that full implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis agreement is the only solution to the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire;

7. Emphasises the importance of the efforts made by the Monitoring Committee, firstly to prevent these events and later to re-establish coexistence by encouraging implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis agreement;

8. Urges all parties which signed the Linas-Marcoussis agreement to resume political dialogue and participate again in the Government of National Reconciliation;

9. Emphasises the importance of prompt deployment of the UN peacekeeping forces in Côte d'Ivoire in support of full implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis agreement by the Government of National Reconciliation in the run-up to the elections scheduled for October 2005;

10. Supports the long-term efforts being made by the United Nations and ECOWAS to help the parties concerned to find a solution to the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire.

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The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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45/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the Occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Genocide in Rwanda Brussels, 8 April 2004

NEVER AGAIN

The commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda is an occasion for reflection and sadness on the part of all in the international community. The European Union would like to pay tribute to those who died and render homage to the strength and courage of the survivors. The European Union also salutes the effort and success of the Rwandan people in re-building their country following the horrific events of 1994. The progress which has been achieved in Rwanda over the past decade and the efforts underway to achieve national reconciliation demonstrate the strength of purpose of the Rwandan people to ensure that there is “never again” a re-occurrence of such atrocities to the Rwandan people.

It is clear that tragic mistakes were made by the international community before and during the genocide. The international community’s response to the genocide came too late and proved insufficient. The challenge to never again fail to prevent such horrors lies at the heart of the European Union's policy. The European Union is ambitious in its objective to avoid the recurrence of genocide anywhere in the world, yet humble in knowing that whatever it does, it may not be enough.

The European Union is heartened by the efforts of the UN to forewarn and forearm the world against future genocide and supports the UN Secretary General's proposals, first made in connection with the Stockholm International Forum on Preventing Genocide, for a stronger UN role in the effective prevention of genocide. In particular, the EU welcomes the decision by the UN Secretary-General to appoint a Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide. The EU will support the Special Advisor, and will make full use of the advice and information generated The European Union itself is also increasing its work to prevent genocide, through its programme on the prevention of armed conflict, its support to the International Criminal Court, its development co-operation, its commitment to human rights, as well as by other means. The EU has also been working hard to take on board the lessons deriving from the experience of the 1994 genocide, through improving its capacities to react quickly to crisis situations. This is why the European Union launched “Operation Artemis”, in cooperation with the UN, in Ituri in the DRC last summer. This can be considered the first case where the European Union effectively helped to prevent acts of genocide taking place. The European Union will continue its efforts to improve its capacities in the area of early warning and conflict prevention.

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The European Union renews its commitment to the people of Rwanda and will continue to support Rwanda as it continues on the path of national recovery. The lessons of the genocide in Rwanda must never be forgotten. This fact will continue to inspire and motivate the European Union as it works, both through its own instruments and with its international partners, for improved collective action in the areas of conflict prevention, early warning and defence of human rights. Continuing human rights abuses and humanitarian crises across the world need our concerted attention.

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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46/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the Zengeza by-elections in Zimbabwe

Declaration by the EU in the wake of the Zengeza parliamentary by-elections.

The European Union condemns the violence, intimidation and irregularities before and during the Zengeza parliamentary by-elections on 27-28 March 2004. The electoral environment cannot be deemed to have been free, fair or safe for the voters of Zengeza. The shooting incidents, which left one person dead and others wounded, are of special concern. The events in Zengeza set a worrying precedent for future elections, including the upcoming by-elections in Lupane in May 2004 and the planned March 2005 parliamentary elections.

The European Union calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to allow every political party an equal level of electoral freedom. The EU emphasises the importance of creating an electoral environment conducive to free and fair elections, in line with international standards such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum’s Norms and Standards for Elections in the SADC Region. The European Union calls on all political parties to refrain from violence and intimidation, before, during and after elections, and for the authorities to prevent violence, intimidation and irregularities.

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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47/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the situation in Darfur, Sudan Brussels, 15 April 2004

The European Union welcomes the signing of the humanitarian ceasefire agreement between the Government of Sudan and the SLM/SLA and JEM. It calls on all parties to observe and scrupulously respect the rules of that agreement.

It congratulates the Chadian mediators for their efforts to promote the conclusion of the agreement.

It salutes the commitment of all parties to authorise unrestricted humanitarian access and facilitate the distribution of humanitarian assistance to the people of the Grand Darfur region.

In this context it is essential that the Sudanese Government fulfil its commitment to control the irregular armed forces known as the Janjaweed.

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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48/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning Council Common Position 2004/293/CFSP of 30 March 2004 renewing measures in support of the effective implementation of the mandate of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Brussels, 15 April 2004

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, declare that they share the objectives of Council Common Position 2004/293/CFSP of 30 March 2004 renewing measures in support of the effective implementation of the mandate of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). They will ensure that their national policies conform to that Council Decision.

The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it.

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49/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Legislative Elections in Indonesia Brussels, 26 April 2004

The European Union has followed the legislative elections in Indonesia for several representative bodies on 5 April last with great interest. The elections were among the largest ever organised anywhere in the world and the organisation was a monumental logistical task for the National Electoral Commission (KPU) as more than 650 million ballot papers needed to be prepared and distributed and voting for 4 representative bodies took place at almost 600,000 voting stations.

Although the official results of the elections will not be known for some time, the European Union takes the opportunity to congratulate the people and the government of Indonesia on the generally peaceful and competitive way in which the pre-election process and polling have taken place, and hopes that the coming presidential elections can be conducted in the same positive manner.

More than 200 independent EU observers were stationed in the country to follow the election process. The European Union expresses its great appreciation for the work of the EU Election Observation Mission, led by Mr Glyn Ford, which provided a comprehensive statement on the electoral process in Indonesia. The European Union, through the continued efforts of the EU EOM, will continue to follow the coming presidential elections with great attention as well.

The European Union notes with great satisfaction that the elections have taken place in a positive spirit. Overall the elections appear to have been a success, although the preparations were marked by shortcomings and delays, especially in the production and distribution of ballot papers, and on Election Day there were a few delays and postponements in isolated parts of the country. The process appears to have been conducted peacefully, except for some incidents reported from Aceh. Regretfully it was not possible for observers to observe fully in the province, so that information on Aceh’s elections remains scarce. The European Union expresses the hope that during the coming presidential elections its observers will be able to observe fully the election process.

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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50/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the verdict in the case of Leyla Zana Brussels, 22 April 2004

The European Union expresses deep disappointment at the decision on 21 April 2004 by the Ankara State Security Court confirming the prison sentence imposed in 1994 on Ms. Leyla Zana, Mr. Hatip Dicle, Mr.Orhan Dogan and Mr. Selim Sadak. The retrial of the case following the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in July 2001 was possible because of the important political reforms adopted in Turkey over the past two years. The EU has followed the retrial closely and, while respecting fully the principle of the independence of the judiciary, has repeatedly raised with the Turkish authorities its concerns at the handling of the case by the Ankara State Security Court. The EU regrets that the conduct of the retrial and the outcome are clearly at variance with the reform process to which the Government of Turkey is committed and which is central to the development of closer relations between the EU and Turkey.

The Acceding Countries, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia align themselves with this declaration. ______

51/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on 10 Years of Democracy in South Africa Brussels, 27 April 2004

The European Union extends warm congratulations and good wishes to the Government and people of South Africa on the tenth anniversary of the achievement of democracy.

The European Union recognises South Africa’s remarkable achievement in establishing a strong and functioning democracy in a post-apartheid context. Faced with the legacy of the all-encompassing evil that was the apartheid regime, the EU acknowledges South Africa’s significant progress in terms of economic, social and constitutional reform.

South Africa has taken an active role on the international stage, especially on the continent of Africa in its continued efforts to bring peace to troubled regions and in supporting the economic revitalisation of the continent.

The European Union looks forward to working closely with South Africa in the further deepening of our bilateral relations and in international fora.

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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52/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism Brussels, 30 April 2004

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, declare that they share the objectives of Common Position 2004/309/CFSP of 2 April 2004 updating Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism and repealing Common Position 2003/906/CFSP. They will ensure that their national policies conform to that Common Position.

The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it.

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53/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning Council Common Position 2004/423/CFSP renewing restrictive measures against Burma/Myanmar Brussels, 30 April 2004

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, declare that they share the objectives of Council Common Position 2004/423/CFSP renewing restrictive measures against Burma/Myanmar defined on 26 April 2004 by the Council of the European Union on the basis of Article 15 of the Treaty on the European Union. They will ensure that their national policies conform to that Common Position.

The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it.

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54/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the peace process in Burundi Brussels, 30 April 2004

The European Union welcomes the PALIPEHUTU-FNL congress that took place in Kigoma, Tanzania, on 18-21 April 2004, as a hopeful signal on the way to all-inclusive peace in Burundi, in particular the announcement of the FNL to 'immediately cease hostilities against government forces' and of its determination to negotiate a cease fire with the transitional government. However, the EU deplores the resumption of fighting in Burima, in the Province Bujumbura Rurale. In order for a cease-fire to be effective, commitment is needed by all parties involved. The EU urges both government troops and FNL to end all attacks, to clearly commit themselves to a cease-fire and to elaborate, without delay, modalities thereof with a view to its immediate implementation. The European Union also renews its call upon the FNL to abandon the military option and commit fully to the peace process. There is no alternative for negotiations. The EU hopes that the parties will commit themselves to bringing an end to the suffering of the Burundian population. It reaffirms its commitment to help pave the way to a peaceful solution of the Burundian conflict.

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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55/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on harassment by the Belarusian Authorities in relation to enlargement celebrations in Minsk Brussels, 4 May 2004

The EU Heads of Mission in Minsk had arranged to celebrate on 30th April the accession of the 6 new Member States represented in Minsk to the European Union. The programme for this Enlargement celebration included a gala which was open to the public during which there would be a performance by young European circus stars. This public event was to begin with the transmission on a screen of a message from the President of the Commission, Romano Prodi. It had to be cancelled, however, at the last moment because the administrative authorizations necessary for holding it were not received from the Belarus authorities.

The European Union regrets that the only events likely to take place on 1st May will be confined to embassy enclosures and cannot therefore involve the general public of Belarus. It fails to understand why the authorizations have not been forthcoming and wonders about the consistency of this refusal with the reaffirmation by the highest authority of the State of the wish on the part of Belarus “to have not only good relations with the European Union but very good relations” (address to Belarus Members of Parliament on 14th April 2004).

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The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro align themselves with this declaration.

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56/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the events of the last few days at the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda Brussels, 10 May 2004

The EU expresses grave concern at recent reports of an attack apparently led by the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR) on Rwandan territory and of an incident involving Rwandan troops said to have taken place on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The EU wishes to point out that the presence of any foreign troops from any country whatsoever on the territory of the DRC is a violation of international law and an attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The EU believes that the United Nations Organisation Mission in the Congo (MONUC) should intervene actively as a matter of urgency in order to counter any attempt on the part of the FDLR to infiltrate Rwandan territory, with a view to establishing real stability in the east of the DRC.

The EU condemns equally strongly the restrictions placed on the free movement through Congolese territory of soldiers of the MONUC which prevent them from fulfilling their mission.

The potential seriousness of the situation in the east of the DRC compels the EU to call on the Congolese and Rwandan governments to hold direct consultations to prevent any aggravation of the tension and to intensify their efforts to improve relations between the two countries.

The EU makes a fresh appeal for the highest authorities in Kigali and in Kinshasa to respect scrupulously the spirit of the declaration on good-neighbourly relations which they both signed on 25 September 2003, as well as the Pretoria Agreement of 30 July 2002 and the commitments which they both entered into at the Pretoria meeting on 27 November 2003.

In particular, the EU would support the establishment by the two countries of a bilateral mechanism for monitoring the border area, backed by the MONUC. In that connection, the disarmament and demobilisation of the former Rwandan armed forces and Interahamwe combatants are essential in order to resolve the conflict in the region.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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57/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the Georgian Autonomous Republic of Adjara Brussels, 4 May 2004

The European Union is seriously concerned at latest developments in the Georgian Autonomous Republic of Adjara. The destruction on Sunday 2 May of bridges connecting Adjara with the rest of Georgia, at the initiative of the Adjaran authorities, is a most negative act. A further escalation of tension between Tbilisi and Batumi must be avoided.

The European Union calls on the Autonomous Republic of Adjara and on the Georgian government to use only peaceful means in the resolution of outstanding issues. All threats or acts of violence are unacceptable and must be avoided.

The European Union reiterates its full support to the territorial integrity of Georgia. The European Union also reiterates the need for relations between the Autonomous Republic of Adjara and the rest of Georgia to develop within the framework of the Georgian constitution, which recognises the autonomy of Adjara. It welcomes the statement from the government of Georgia declaring as inviolable the status of Adjara. In this context, a Law on the Status of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara should be adopted in the near future, as provided for in paragraph 3 (3) of the Constitution of Georgia.

The European Union is concerned about the social consequences of the de facto blockade of Adjara, and appeals to Batumi to restore all transport communications between Adjara and the rest of Georgia.

The European Union continues to follow the situation closely.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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58/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the Georgian Autonomous Republic of Adjara Brussels, 6 May 2004

The European Union welcomes the positive developments in Adjara and the peaceful manner in which these have come about.

The restoration of Georgian government authority in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara marks an important step in extending rule of law and respect for human rights throughout Georgia.

The European Union now looks forward to the holding of democratic elections to the Supreme Council of Adjara within an appropriate timeframe.

The European Union reiterates its support for the territorial integrity of Georgia and welcomes the confirmation by the Georgian government of its respect for the autonomous status of Adjara within Georgia.

The European Union welcomes the constructive role played by the Russian Federation in helping to bring the situation concerning Adjara to a peaceful resolution.

The Candidate Countries Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Liechtenstein, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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59/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on recent events in Nigeria Brussels, 17 May 2004

The Presidency, on behalf of the European Union, expresses its serious concern and distress at the constant incidents of death and destruction that are taking place in Nigeria. The European Union wishes to express its utter dismay at the recent outbreak of violence in the town of Yelwa in Plateau state in central Nigeria and at the one that followed in the town of Kano. Likewise, the European Union transmits its deepest sympathy to the government of Nigeria and to the families of the victims for such dramatic events.

The European Union notes the rapid response of the Nigerian Government in despatching additional security forces to the areas concerned and in imposing a curfew in order to stop this dramatic cycle of violence. The European Union urges restraint on both communities and the need to avoid any acts of retaliation or provocation which will only result in renewed bloodshed and loss of life.

The European Union welcomes the move by the government of Nigeria to restore peace in the areas concerned. Any intervention should be carried out with full respect for human rights and the rule of law.

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The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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60/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the adoption of the Resolution and Recommendations of the Pourgourides Report on « Disappeared Persons in Belarus» by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 28th April 2004 Brussels, 14 May 2004

The European Union takes note of the adoption of the Resolution and Recommendations of the Report on “Disappeared Persons in Belarus” by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 28th April 2004. The European Union is gravely concerned about the findings of the Report, which raises issues of the most fundamental concern in relation to human rights and the rule of law in Belarus.

The European Union notes that the report refers to high-level State involvement in politically motivated disappearances. The report concludes that the disappearances have not been properly investigated and that steps were taken at the highest level to cover up the disappearances.

The European Union supports the request made by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe that the competent Belarusian authorities launch a truly independent investigation into the disappearances. This investigation should examine, inter alia, the conduct of the Prosecutor General, Minister for Sport and Tourism and others named in the Pourgourides Report. The European Union calls for such an investigation to be opened under a neutral investigator. Pending such investigation, the EU questions whether those named should remain in their current positions of authority.

Given the seriousness of the findings of the Pourgourides Report, and the length of time which has already passed, the European Union believes that the early publication of the findings of such an independent report is required. If criminal proceedings are warranted, these should be instituted without delay.

The European Union will remain seized of this issue and of follow-up actions by the Government of Belarus. The Union will study further the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Assembly as part of its ongoing concern about the human rights situation in Belarus.

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The European Union also takes note of the adoption of the Resolution and Recommendations of the report on “The Persecution of the Press in the Republic of Belarus” by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The European Union remains extremely concerned about the situation of the press in Belarus and calls on the Government of Belarus to act on the Recommendations in the report.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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61/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Presidential elections in Panama Brussels, 13 May 2004

The European Union welcomes the successful holding of elections in Panama on 2 May 2004 and expresses its sincere congratulations to the President-elect, Mr. Martin Torrijos Espino.

The high voter turnout for the poll, which was freely and fairly conducted, confirms the strength and maturity of Panamanian democracy.

The EU will continue its support for the economic development of Panama and looks forward to strengthening its ties with Panama, in particular within the framework of the Union's regional cooperation with Central America.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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62/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on human rights in Cuba Brussels, 13 May 2004

The European Union is deeply concerned at the recent trials and sentencing of a further group of 13 Cuban human rights activists and journalists, all of whom were arrested while peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, opinion, association and assembly, principles the EU strongly defends.

The EU strongly condemns the conduct of the trials, which once again failed to meet international standards in relation to due process. The EU also deplores the disproportionate severity of the sentences handed down to the dissidents, viz. prison sentences of up to seven years for nine activists and house arrest for four others.

The EU recalls the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in Cuba, adopted by the UN Commission on Human Rights on 15 April 2004, which “deplores the events which occurred last year in Cuba involving verdicts against certain political dissidents and journalists”, a reference to the trials and sentencing of 75 dissidents in March and April 2003. The EU calls on the Cuban authorities to release all prisoners of conscience and political prisoners without delay and joins the Commission on Human Rights in urging the Cuban authorities to cooperate with the Personal Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

In the light of continuing disturbing reports that some dissidents have suffered from ill-treatment and ill- health, the EU once again urges the Cuban authorities to comply with international human rights standards and norms for the treatment of prisoners.

The EU will continue to monitor flagrant violations of fundamental civil and political rights by the Cuban authorities - which negatively affect relations and cooperation between the EU and Cuba - and will take these violations into account in its re-evaluation of the Common Position on Cuba in June 2004.

The EU’s serious concerns, as outlined above, have been conveyed directly to the Cuban authorities.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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63/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union in support of the IGAD Ministerial meeting and the SNRC Brussels, 18 May 2004

The European Union welcomes the outcome of the IGAD Ministerial meeting in Nairobi 6–7 May which:

1) Witnessed the presence of all IGAD Ministers involved in the Somalia Peace Process and their common position on the future development of the Somalia National Reconciliation Conference; 2) Reaffirmed the crucial importance of inclusiveness and Somali ownership.

The European Union hopes that the course taken by IGAD will be reinforced in the upcoming IGAD Ministerial meeting and expresses the hope that an appropriate political framework, including a power sharing arrangement and reflected in a broadly owned roadmap, will lead to the successful conclusion of the conference within a defined time limit.

As previously stated by the General Affairs and External Relations Council in July 2002, the EU will support, technically and financially, emerging all-inclusive, broad-based governance, as well as existing and emerging regional governance, which is to the benefit of the Somali people.

The European Union calls upon all leaders in Somalia and all relevant Somali forces to rise to the challenge of a process that has reached a decisive stage and to take part in the IGAD consultations in a genuine spirit of compromise while observing maximum restraint and the cessation of hostilities on the ground. The EU notes the commitment of IGAD Foreign Ministers to use their influence to persuade missing Somali leaders to return to Nairobi and also urges them and those leaders to help facilitate the movement of traditional leaders to Nairobi. The EU reiterates the responsibility of all States to strictly abide by the UN arms embargo and supports current efforts by the UN to re-invigorate the embargo. The EU takes note of the UN Security Council meeting on Somalia scheduled for 25 May.

The European Union stands ready to provide its support to achieve an early and positive conclusion to the Somalia National Reconciliation Conference and promote effective governance in Somalia.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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64/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the occasion of the launching of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, Addis Ababa, 25 May 2004 Brussels, 25 May 2004

The European Union salutes the African Union on the historic occasion of the solemn launching of the Peace and Security Council in Addis Ababa on this Africa Day, 25 May 2004. The European Union warmly welcomes the establishment of this new institution, which has been conceived with a view to equipping the African Union with a more robust and proactive mechanism to deal with peace and security issues in Africa. The EU also congratulates the Federal Republic of Nigeria on its assumption of the Chairmanship of the Peace and Security Council.

The major progress which Africa has made in addressing conflicts on the continent and developing an institutional capacity to deal with conflict prevention and resolution has been impressive. The establishment of the Peace and Security Council is central to this response and demonstrates Africa’s determination to take the lead in strengthening its own conflict prevention and management efforts. The European Union is equally determined to work with Africa in supporting this important institutional development and helping to build up African capabilities for addressing and resolving conflicts, including through deployment of African peacekeeping missions. The EU African Peace Facility, which becomes operational today, will provide the context for developing and strengthening the already strong practical co-operation between the European Union and Africa in the crucial task of preventing and responding to conflict on the continent.

The Peace and Security Council is faced with major responsibilities as it begins its work. The European Union is confident that it can respond effectively to these challenges. The Peace and Security Council and its members will carry with them the good wishes of all concerned for the future of Africa as they formally assume their responsibilities.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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65/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the situation in Darfur, western Sudan Brussels, 26 May 2004

The European Union welcomes the decision by the Government of Sudan to lift restrictions on humanitarian agency workers travelling to Darfur. The EU expects that the Sudanese authorities will implement the decision expeditiously and that access to Darfur for humanitarian agencies will be unhindered at all levels.

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The European Union is deeply troubled by the recent report of the acting UN High Commissioner on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Darfur region. The European Union calls on the Government of Sudan to publicly condemn the actions of the Janjaweed militias in Darfur and bring the militias under control. The Government of Sudan has a responsibility to effectively protect local populations and IDPs from gross abuses by armed groups. The EU welcomes the establishment by the Government of Sudan of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate human rights violations by armed groups in Darfur and expects that swift action will be taken on findings of the Commission.

The European Union commends the work of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Darfur and expresses its strong commitment to work with the UN to combat malnutrition, disease and the threat of famine in the Darfur region. The EU welcomes OCHA’s decision to convene a donors’ meeting on 3 June in Geneva and will participate fully in the occasion.

The EU fully supports the work of the African Union to establish a cease-fire commission and monitoring mechanism for the Darfur region. The EU strongly urges all parties to co-operate fully with the AU and to participate in co-ordination meetings as scheduled.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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66/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union in view of the recent serious disturbances in Plateau state in Nigeria and the suspension of the Governor and the State Assembly by the President Obasanjo Brussels, 28 May 2004

The European Union takes note of the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of the Governor, Deputy Governor and State Assembly in Plateau State by the President of the Federal Republic on 18 May 2004. The EU reiterates its condemnation of the recent violence in that state and other parts of Nigeria and extends its deepest sympathy to the victims and their families. It hopes that the recent exceptional steps taken will lead to an improvement in the security situation and bring peace to the affected areas of Plateau State and elsewhere in the country.

In this difficult time the European Union highlights the necessity to uphold democracy and the rule of law and to avoid any statements or actions which might however inadvertently increase tension. The EU welcomes the briefing offered to the Diplomatic Corps on 19 May by H.E. the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Union will continue to monitor developments.

In the meantime it is advised that EU citizens intending to travel to the areas affected by violence should first consult with the respective Consular offices in their capitals or with their Embassies in Nigeria.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia

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and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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67/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Phase III of the Reconciliation Conference for Somalia Brussels, 3 June 2004

The European Union welcomes the outcome of the IGAD Ministerial meeting in Nairobi on 21-22 May which officially launched Phase III of the Reconciliation Conference for Somalia. It welcomes the ongoing commitment of IGAD member states to adopt a common approach based on political consensus.

The European Union stresses the importance of the main outcomes of the meeting and appeals to all parties involved to continue in their engagement with:

1) A demonstrated commitment by all parties to moving Phase III of the process forward;

2) The reaffirmation of the crucial importance of Somali ownership and consensus by all Somali clans on the principles and guidelines for the third and final phase of the Conference. An appropriate political framework including all leaders and relevant forces in Somalia is now a real possibility;

3) Agreement reached on a timetable for the remainder of the Conference and on a list of MPs by the next IGAD ministerial meeting on 21 June. The timetable and the list should be final and absent leaders should not be permitted to hold the process hostage;

The European Union stands ready to continue to assist the Somalia National Reconciliation Conference in its efforts to reach an early and positive conclusion.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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68/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union, welcoming the decision of the UN Security Council on 21 May 2004 to establish an UN peace-keeping mission in Burundi (ONUB) and renewing the Union’s call for intensified efforts to ensure a successful completion of the transition process in Burundi. Brussels, 3 June 2004

The European Union welcomes UN Security Council resolution 1545 of 21 May 2004 and its decision to deploy a peacekeeping operation in Burundi (ONUB) in support of the efforts of the Burundian people to restore lasting peace and to bring about national reconciliation as provided for under the Arusha Peace Agreement.

The European Union wishes the operation success in the execution of its mandate and it assures the UN of its support for this operation, reinforcing the prospects for peace and stability in the Great Lakes Region in general and in Burundi in particular. It takes this opportunity to express its sincere appreciation for the efforts made by the Governments of South Africa, Mozambique and Ethiopia as well as by the African Union through AMIB in assuring peace and stability during the past months of Transition and preparing for this new phase in the Burundi peace process.

The European Union seizes this opportunity to welcome the efforts already made by so many in Burundi to make the Transition work and urges all parties in the Burundi peace process to continue the dynamic of the Arusha Peace Accord, to respect all subsequent agreements, to implement the required reforms, in particular within the security sector, and to prepare for elections in a spirit of serenity and mutual respect.

The European Union strongly supports the UN’s call for all parties to observe an immediate cease-fire, and once more makes an urgent appeal to the Palipehutu-FNL to seize this opportunity for peace, to bring an end to armed opposition and join the other parties in a negotiated settlement.

The European Union encourages the Regional Initiative, in particular the Governments of Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa, to continue their efforts to support the Transition in Burundi and to bring an end to conflict in favour of an all-inclusive cease-fire and comprehensive peace agreement.

The European Union and its member States reassure all parties in the peace process of their continued close attention and they reiterate their support for the challenges confronting Burundi in the months to come, in particular as far as security sector reform, DDR and the election process are concerned. They furthermore reconfirm the commitments made at the Brussels Partner Forum in January 2004 to accompany Burundi in its project of reconstruction and economic and social development.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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69/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the Lupane by-elections in Zimbabwe Brussels, 3 June 2004

The European Union condemns the intimidation and irregularities before and during the Lupane by-elections on 15-16 May 2004 which, together with continuing restrictions on freedom of association and on equal access to the media, meant that these elections cannot be judged free and fair.

The intimidation of voters and obstruction of campaigning by war veterans and youths, the registration of voters at polling stations by traditional leaders, the use of State apparatus in favour of the ruling party, and lack of access by the opposition to the voters roll that had been amended until days before the election, are just illustrations of an unacceptable electoral environment.

The European Union calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to allow every political party an equal level of political freedom. The European Union emphasises the importance of creating an electoral environment conducive to free and fair elections - such as an independent electoral commission, equal access to the media, equal possibilities of holding political meetings - in line with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum Norms and Standards for Elections in the SADC Region.

The European Union calls on all political parties to refrain from violence and intimidation before, during and after elections, and for the authorities to prevent violence, intimidation and irregularities.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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70/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union to welcome the signing in Naivasha of the last three protocols leading to a framework peace agreement on Sudan Brussels, 4 June 2004

The European Union welcomes the signing of the three protocols by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement which took place in Naivasha, Kenya on 27 May 2004. This represents a significant step towards a lasting peace in southern Sudan and both parties are to be congratulated on their commitment to the peace process in Naivasha. The dedication of the IGAD facilitators, in particular the chief mediator Gen. Lazaro Sumbeiyo, and Kenya as hosts to the peace talks for the past two years has played a significant role in this achievement.

The European Union urges both parties to sustain this momentum towards peace and to begin immediately a discussion on a comprehensive peace agreement for Sudan. The EU stands ready to assist in the development and implementation of a just and peaceful future for all of Sudan.

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The EU reiterates its concern at the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Darfur and calls on the Government of Sudan and all parties to show a similar commitment to bring peace and stability to that region.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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71/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the situation in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo Brussels, 4 June 2004

1. The EU vigorously condemns the clashes in Bukavu in the last few days, triggered by armed rebels opposed to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The EU also condemns the deaths of several innocent civilians, and the human rights violations accompanying the violence in Bukavu.

2. This insurrection threatens the territorial integrity of the DRC, prevents the re-establishment of the State's powers in the eastern regions and, as a result, seriously undermines the pursuit of the transition process. The EU calls on all the parties to the interim government to work together to resolve this crisis.

3. The EU calls for an immediate end to all hostilities, for the safety of the civilian population to be secured and for order and the rule of law to be restored to South Kivu. The EU urges the rebel forces to lay down their weapons and leave the town of Bukavu. The EU firmly supports the legitimate steps being taken by the interim government to negotiate a peaceful solution to the crisis in South Kivu.

4. The EU recalls the various declarations and agreements signed during the last two years by the countries of the region, under which they are committed to normalising their relations and observing the principles of non-interference and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their neighbours. It recalls the terms of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1493 of 28 July 2003 and, notably, the references to mutual security in the Great Lakes region. In this context, the EU roundly condemns all supplies of arms or equipment to the armed rebels, as well as all foreign interference in the DRC. All the countries of the Great Lakes region should step up their efforts to improve their bilateral relations. The DRC, Rwanda and Uganda should, in particular, cooperate wholeheartedly to reduce the tension in the east of the DRC.

5. The EU urges all sides in the DRC to cooperate with the MONUC to facilitate the achievement of its objectives of supporting the transition and the disarmament and demobilisation process. All sides and political leaders in the DRC should demonstrate restraint and a spirit of cooperation to solve as quickly as possible the serious situation created by the events in Bukavu.

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The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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72/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the loss of life in San Pedro Sula prison in Honduras Brussels, 4 June 2004

The European Union offers its condolences to the Honduran people regarding the tragedy which occurred in the Central Prison of the city of San Pedro Sula on 17 May 2004, involving a significant loss of life.

The European Union welcomes the announcement by the Government of Honduras that it is to carry out investigations into the event and expresses its hope that these will be conducted in a comprehensive, transparent and independent manner.

The European Union looks forward to hearing the outcome of this enquiry and investigations into a similar incident at La Ceiba Prison, which occurred last April.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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73/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the Presidential Elections in the Dominican Republic Brussels, 4 June 2004

The European Union welcomes the fair and transparent way in which the presidential elections were held on May 16, 2004, thereby strengthening democracy in the Dominican Republic.

The European Union congratulates President-elect Dr. Leonel Fernandez on his victory and recognises the important role played by President Mejia in safeguarding the democratic principles of the election process.

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The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration

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75/04 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the "reparo" process in Venezuela Brussels, 7 June 2004

The European Union has followed closely and with interest the “reparo” process in Venezuela and congratulates the Venezuelan people on this peaceful and democratic expression of its political will.

The European Union welcomes the fact that all parties concerned have accepted the outcome of this process.

The European Union recognises the importance of the role of the CNE and expresses its confidence that all parties will continue to faithfully respect the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and undertake the steps that must necessarily follow the outcome of the “reparo” process.

The European Union fully supports the important contribution of the OAS and the Carter Center, and other international observers, whose participation was fundamental to achieving transparency and confidence among the parties involved, and looks forward to continuing such support in the future.

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76/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the Malawi presidential and parliamentary elections Brussels, 9 June 2004

The European Union refers to the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections in Malawi on 20 May 2004 and welcomes Malawi’s third multi-party elections, since their introduction in 1994.

At the invitation of the Malawi Electoral Commission, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has been present in Malawi since 5 April and has reported preliminary findings to member states.

On a positive note, the European Union welcomes the role played by polling station officials, political party and civil society observers and voters in contributing to a generally peaceful and orderly election day.

The role of the High Court and Supreme Court in Malawi in dealing with electoral complaints in an independent and timely manner is also recognised. The increase in the number of women elected to parliament is also to be welcomed.

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However, the European Union is troubled by certain serious shortcomings in the electoral process. The pre- election period failed to provide a level playing field for all political contestants – the state-controlled broadcast media showed bias in favour of the ruling coalition in its news coverage. There was also widespread and overt abuse of state resources by the ruling party. However, private stations and print media provided a balanced approach to all candidates. The post-election violence in Malawi, in which at least four people are reported to have been killed, is also a matter of serious concern.

Major shortcomings were also evident in the performance of the Malawi Electoral Commission. The voter registration process was particularly unsatisfactory and the tabulation of results was not carried out in an adequately transparent manner.

The European Union urges the Malawi Electoral Commission to swiftly publish detailed results, down to polling station level, to allow for an independent audit of results.

Post-election complaints and appeals will be followed closely by the EU. Final assessment of the elections by the EU will be reserved until the entire electoral process has been concluded.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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77/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Equatorial Guinea Brussels, 17 June 2004

The European Union welcomes the forthcoming opening of the new Parliament of Equatorial Guinea after the holding of Parliamentary and Municipal elections last April 25th. The European Union believes that the process leading to the opening of the new Parliamentary session contains both positive and negative aspects which the new Government should consider in the future.

The European Union considers that the electoral campaign took place in a peaceful way and allowed political parties to carry out their activities in an atmosphere of relative normality. The European Union welcomes the government's decision to introduce the use of transparent ballot boxes. Nevertheless, the Spanish Parliamentary observers present in the country detected important irregularities that have distorted the electoral process in contradiction to the Agreements between the Government and the democratic opposition, reached in Mbini in August 2003.

Therefore, while recognising some steps forward in the process of transition to democracy, the European Union believes the elections failed to constitute a Parliament reflecting the political diversity of Equato- Guinean society, without adequate representation of the opposition in the elections.

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The European Union wishes to welcome the participation of the opposition, which will be represented in the new Parliament only by two MPs, once they finally decided to accept the two seats allocated in the official results.

In this context, the European Union calls upon the Equato-Guinean authorities to allow this opposition to participate in the parliamentary sessions exercising their freedoms and rights and for them to be provided with the necessary material means. The EU also considers they should be granted free and substantive access to the public media, so they can inform the whole of the population about their activities.

The European Union hopes that the Parliament will be in a position to exert its monitoring role over the executive, that it will contribute to implementing a programme of good economic governance, equitable distribution of the national wealth and sound and transparent management of oil revenues, in the furtherance of a sustainable development policy benefiting the whole Equato-Guinean population.

Finally, the European Union expresses its commitment to co-operate with the Government of Equatorial Guinea with the goal of promoting a transition to a full democracy within a framework of respect for fundamental rights and freedoms. The EU welcomes the letter from the Guinean government of 14 April, inviting the Commission to carry out a mission to Equatorial Guinea to discuss these issues. The signing of the National Indicative Programme for the 9th EDF is dependent on the willingness of the Guinean authorities to observe these principles in an internationally accepted manner.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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78/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism Brussels, 28 June 2004

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, declare that they share the objectives of Common Position 2004/500/CFSP of 17 May 2004 updating Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism and repealing Common Position 2004/309/CFSP. They will ensure that their national policies conform to that Common Position.

The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it.

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79/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf on the European Union concerning progress in Tajikistan towards a moratorium on the death penalty Brussels, 16 June 2004

The European Union welcomes the political decision to introduce a moratorium on the death penalty, which President Rakhmonov has taken and announced in his annual message to Parliament on 30 April 2004. The European Union further welcomes the passing, on 2 June 2004, of a moratorium on the death penalty by Tajikistan’s lower house of parliament (Majilisi Namoyandagon) and looks forward to its early approval by the upper house of parliament (Majlisi Oli) and signing into law by the President.

The European Union considers that the abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights. It reaffirms its objective of working towards universal abolition of the death penalty, and considers that the introduction of moratoria on executions is an important step towards that aim.

The European Union considers that the decision by the Majilisi Namoyandagon represents an important advance in the promotion of human rights in Tajikistan. The EU also encourages the Government of Tajikistan to continue its valuable cooperation with the OSCE in the democratic development of its country.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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80/04

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on closure of Tribune newspaper, Zimbabwe Brussels, 23 June 2004

The European Union condemns the closure of the Tribune newspaper by Zimbabwe’s Media and Information Commission (MIC). The EU reiterates its call on the Government of Zimbabwe to suspend the implementation of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), under which the MIC took this action, so as to ensure full freedom of expression and the removal of unnecessary restrictions on accreditation.

The EU views this action as a further attack on freedom of expression and democratic space in Zimbabwe. This is of particular importance in the context of approaching elections – free press being a necessary prerequisite of a democratic society.

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The EU calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to respect the freedom of the media and to desist from using repressive legislation, such as the AIPPA, to silence critical voices.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

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ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE

PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF 2 AND 3 JUNE 2004

SUMMARY OF OPINIONS ADOPTED

Full text versions of EESC opinions are available in the 20 official languages on the Committee's web site at the following address:

http://www.esc.eu.int (Documents)

Ms Dalia Grybauskaite, member of the European Commission, attended the plenary session, speaking on behalf of the European Commission.

1. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

• Communication Environmental Technologies Action Plan

– Rapporteur: Mr Buffetaut (Employers – FR)

– References: COM(2004) 38 final – CESE 854/2004

– Key points:

The EESC recognises the importance of the Commission's action in drawing up the environmental technologies action plan and considers that the practical development of environmental technologies inevitably means making choices, establishing a hierarchy for these choices and drawing up a classification for funding, which is limited and must be used wisely: risk capital for launches, more traditional loans during the development phase, tax incentives to consolidate the market, and possibly taxes which internalise the environmental costs of less environmentally- friendly technologies. The EESC calls for supporting those environmental technologies which are most promising with regard to their effectiveness, the conditions on the market, environmental constraints, the employment situation in both quantitative and qualitative terms, living standards and the level of development.

When establishing the appropriate legal framework, the legislator should take into account the innovative strength of the economy and of science, by setting targets without specifying the steps or

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technologies that are needed to achieve those targets. Whilst such legislation may result in higher costs at a microeconomic level, these costs may prove to be worthwhile in macroeconomic terms. The increasing awareness that fulfilling additional social and environmental criteria may bring opportunities for increasing sales is an important driving force for the action plan and for strengthening the competitiveness of the European economy.

The EESC considers it necessary to define ways and means (loans, subsidies, tax incentives) of promoting good practice that is in line with environmental policy goals or the development of appropriate environmental technologies in order to encourage and facilitate market access, or even market creation. The EESC would emphasise the importance of a system for validating the effectiveness of environmental technologies and the dissemination of the data available on such technologies. This is one of the prerequisites for the spread of environmental technologies and their application by enterprises and public authorities.

– Contact: Mr Johannes Kind (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 91 11 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Regional Integration and Sustainable Development

– Rapporteur: Mr Dimitriadis (Employers – EL)

– Reference: Own initiative – CESE 852/2004

– Key points:

The topic of Regional Integration and Sustainable Development constitutes a horizontal theme for the work of the Specialised Section for External Relations of the EESC, for the years of 2003 and 2004. The topic has been discussed within the framework of relations with numerous countries and regions with which the EESC has ongoing relations.

This opinion is intended as a contribution towards identifying the basic elements of a working framework through with European regional development policies, as framed through intergovernmental and regional agreements and development programmes, can incorporate the concept of sustainable development. On this basis, the added value of the opinion lies in the proposals it puts forward for making the incorporation of the concept of sustainable development in regional integration measures a key point on the agenda of working discussions between the EESC delegations and the representatives of developing countries and the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership countries.

The opinion adopts the definition of sustainable development given in previous EESC opinions1, which in turn is based on the Brundtland report and the Gothenburg summit. Particularly important

1 EESC opinion on The preparation of a European Union strategy for sustainable development, OJ C 221, 7.8.2001 EESC opinion on A sustainable Europe for a Better World, OJ C 48, 21.2.2002

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is the breakdown of the definition of sustainable development into three pillars, namely economic development, environmental compatibility and social justice.

Sustainable development is, and must be treated as, an overarching, and not complementary, dimension of regional integration. The goals set for the EU’s efforts in this direction may bring substantial results. By way of regional cooperation programmes, the EU not only helps the developing countries and LDCs, but also conveys cultural, political and social messages. These messages can be summed up in the concept of sustainable development and implemented, inter alia, through regional integration.

One of the EU’s concerns as part of its effort in this field should be to seek out opportunities for international cooperation. On this subject, special mention must be made of cooperation with the United Nations.

With respect to regional integration the EU cooperation programmes, in particular those that concern regional integration with the developing countries and LDCs, must therefore place special emphasis on the various dimensions of sustainability, i.e. economic, social and environmental.

The EESC can contribute greatly to the success of these efforts, since it is the EU body with the most appropriate remit to address these questions within civil society.

– Contact: Ms Susanna Baizou (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 98 45 – e-mail: [email protected])

2. COMBATING ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AND INEQUALITIES IN ACCESS TO THE LABOUR MARKET AND OTHER FIELDS

• Equal

– Rapporteur: Mr Sharma (Various Activities – UK)

– References: COM(2003) 840 final – CESE 849/2004

EESC opinion on a Sustainable Development Strategy: Signals for Barcelona, OJ C 94, 18.4.2002 EESC opinion on The Lisbon strategy and sustainable development, of 27.2.2003

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– Key points:

The enthusiasm for partnership (Section 3) is welcomed and recognition of the importance of encouraging partnership between groups that have not previously collaborated is endorsed. This is one of the most significant factors in the success of EQUAL.

The EESC welcomes discussion of the inclusion of those directly affected by discrimination but it should be recognised that implementation of EQUAL through European, national, regional and local levels is often hierarchical and can increase bureaucracy and reduce ownership unless such problems are foreseen and avoided.

The evaluation process recommends greater focus on job retention, quality of employment and direct job creation.

– Contact: Mr Pierluigi Brombo (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 18 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Equal treatment between women and men / access to goods and services

− Rapporteur: Ms Carroll (Employers – IE)

− References: COM(2003) 657 final – 2003/0265 (CNS) – CESE 853/2004

− Key points:

This proposal is the first step of the Commission's response to the European Council's request concerning reinforcing of gender equality rights in areas other than employment and professional life pursuant to Article 13 of the European Community Treaty. After consulting different stakeholders the Commission has noted great consensus on the need for regulation in the field of access to goods and services. On the other hand, it has concluded that it should not, at this stage, make proposals which deal with the areas of education, taxation or the content of the media.

The Committee:

• stresses the importance of the principle of banning sex discrimination in relation to men's and women's access to and supply of goods and services; it finds it unwise to allow Member States to defer implementation of equal treatment in the field of insurance for six years; • finds the exclusion of education from the scope of the Directive regrettable, although there may be problems of Community competence in this area; the Commission should do whatever is within its powers to encourage the Member States to ensure that there is equality of access to and provision of educational opportunities for both boys and girls; • calls on the Commission to continue its consultations on the content of media and advertising and take appropriate action;

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• welcomes the fact that men and women would have equal access to finance and financial services but it must be recognised that there will be some adverse as well as positive effects for consumers, especially in the field of insurance; the proposal, however, should not allow any risk of new discriminatory criteria being created; a more specific assessment of the long-term impact on the insurance/pensions industry is required; likewise, it is important to monitor events after the Directive has entered into force; • welcomes Article 5, which permits positive action, and strongly approves the provision on dialogue with non-governmental organisations; • underlines that information and publicity for the Directive when adopted will be vital to ensure that consumers are fully aware of their rights and that providers of goods and services understand their obligations under it.

– Contact: Mr Torben Bach Nielsen (Tel.: 00 32 546 96 19 – e-mail : [email protected])

3. INTERNAL MARKET AND HARMONISATION OF PRIVATE LAW

• Non-contractual obligations

– Rapporteur: Mr von Fürstenwerth (Employers – DE)

– References: COM(2003) 427 final – 2003/0168 COD – CESE 841/2004

– Key points:

The Committee suggests several practical amendments to the proposal and calls on the Commission, once corrections have been made, to complete work on the regulation as rapidly as possible so that it can enter into force.

– Contact: Mr João Pereira dos Santos (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 92 45 – e-mail: [email protected])

4. INDUSTRIAL AND SECTORAL POLICIES

• Pharmaceutical industry

– Rapporteur: Ms O'Neill (Various Activities – UK)

– References: COM(2003) 383 final – CESE 842/2004

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– Key points:

The EESC supports the comprehensive programme, which is set out in the Communication from the Commission.

The EESC acknowledges the difficulties in achieving an integrated single market in respect of the pharmaceutical sector in view of its complexity and dependence on Member States competencies and differing systems. However, it stresses the importance of putting in place clear strategies to achieve this goal.

The EESC supports a strong pharmacovigilance system which must continue to be strengthened, and emphasises that the protection of human health should take precedence in all areas of regulation.

The EESC recommends continued dialogue and the simplification of systems to allow innovation, sharing of knowledge and a better coordinated approach to the research agenda, both to strengthen the industry but also to sustain and develop the skills and employment capacity resulting from a competitive pharmaceutical industry.

– Contact: Ms Aleksandra Klenke (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 98 99 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Amendment/European Audiovisual Observatory

– Rapporteur: Mr Green (Employers – DK)

– References: COM(2003) 763 final – 2003/0293 COD – CESE 843/2004

– Contact: Mr Raffaele Del Fiore (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 94 – e-mail: [email protected])

5. ENERGY

• Access conditions / gas transmission networks

– Rapporteur: Ms Sirkeinen (Employers – FI)

– References: COM(2003) 741 final – 2003/0302 COD – CESE 851/2004

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– Key points:

The EESC welcomes the Commission proposal. The Committee supports a wide scope of coverage in order to complete a stable, effective and harmonised regulatory framework for the internal gas market. The Commission proposal should also, as soon as possible, be extended to cover storage facilities, based on an agreement at the Madrid Forum.

The EESC believes it is important that the Regulation provide for the involvement of stakeholders (transmission system operators and network users) in the proposed comitology procedure. Any amendments to the definitions of network points, on which information must be published, should be possible only by co-decision. Finally, the Committee stresses that the Regulation should provide means and measures to facilitate forward planning and proper regulation by operators in this area.

– Contact: Mr Siegfried Jantscher (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 82 87 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Review of guidelines for trans-European energy networks

– Rapporteur: Ms Sirkeinen (Employers – FI)

– References: COM(2003) 742 final – 2003/0297 COD – CESE 844/2004

– Contact: Mr Siegfried Jantscher (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 82 87– e-mail: [email protected])

6. TRANSPORT

• Amendment / Charging of heavy goods vehicles

– Rapporteur: Mr Simons (Employers – NL)

– References: COM(2003) 448 final – 2003/0175 COD – CESE 856/2004

– Key points:

The Committee values the Commission's initiative but considers it too ambitious; with a single proposal for amendment of Directive 1999/62/EC the Commission is attempting to solve too many different problems.

The Committee feels that:

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• the "user pays" principle could only be implemented if there were a thorough analysis of the relative value of the different cost components and a level playing field for all transport modes; • fiscal neutrality which is the Commission's stated objective can only be guaranteed by also reducing excise duty on diesel fuel; • the current mosaic of national rules and systems makes it impossible to achieve a harmonised method of charging for infrastructure use; • the Commission is being inconsistent in its argument when it excludes private passenger vehicles which are responsible for a major part of congestion costs, the cost of road accidents and environmental costs; • the provision in the Commission proposal for using the revenue from an increase in tolls to finance the investment costs of other transport infrastructures of a high European interest in the same corridor should be used as sparingly as possible and that no transport infrastructure should be excluded. If this is done, the proceeds should be paid into a Community account pending completion of the project.

– Contact: Mr Luís Lobo (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 17 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Modification / road transport checks

– Rapporteur: Mr Simons (Employers – NL)

– References: COM(2003) 628 final – 2003/0255 COD – CESE 857/2004

– Contact: Mr Luís Lobo (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 17 – e-mail: [email protected])

7. TRANSATLANTIC DIALOGUE

• Transatlantic dialogue

– Rapporteur: Ms Belabed (Employees – AT)

– References: Own-initiative opinion – CESE 855/2004

– Key points:

As the European Council of December 2003 stated in its conclusions, “the transatlantic relationship is irreplaceable and the EU remains fully committed to a constructive, balanced and forward- looking partnership with our transatlantic partners”.

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Although Americans and Europeans share the basic convictions of democracy and the basic principles of a market economy, their values and goals are not always identical.

The EESC, based on its consultative role within Europe and its cooperation activities with social partners and civil society throughout the world, may be well placed to support activities to reinforce the Transatlantic Dialogue and give it a new impetus. The Transatlantic Dialogue in fact comprises different forms: the Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD); the Transatlantic Labour Dialogue (TALD); the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) and the Transatlantic Environmental Dialogue (TAED), not all of which are equally active.

The Transatlantic Economy has become even more intertwined over time with direct investments clearly ahead of trade in importance. Although trade disputes mark the headlines, they account for less than 1% of transatlantic commerce.

The EU and the US, by combining their efforts, can contribute to give effect to the economic, social and environmental potential of globalisation by improving governance both at national and at international level, including social and civil dialogue.

The EESC strongly supports transatlantic cooperation and the constructive involvement of relevant communities of interest from American and European Civil Society. The EESC advocates strengthening civil society networks, which could lead to regular and continuous cooperation and to establishing a Transatlantic and/or US Economic and Social Committee.

The EESC offers to serve as a forum for promoting the dialogue and bringing together the relevant parties. The Committee in this context offers to organise a conference together with the relevant actors and institutions to strengthen the dialogue. The benefit of a reinforced dialogue would consist in activating civil society on both sides of the Atlantic not only in the long-term interest of the EU and the US but also for the rest of the world.

– Contact: Mr Michael Wells (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 82 83 – e-mail: [email protected])

8. EUROPEAN ASYLUM POLICY

• European Refugee Fund

– Rapporteur: Ms Cassina (Employees – IT)

– References: COM(2004) 102 final – 2004/0032 CNS – CESE 850/2004

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– Key points:

The EESC considers that the proposal for a European Refugee Fund (ERF) for the period 2005- 2010 is justified, is equipped with significant resources and is organised in such a way as to facilitate the joint responsibility of the Member States and the Community. It also stresses that reception and integration must continue to be seen as the cornerstone of a sound asylum policy.

The EESC hopes that a decision on the ERF II proposal will be taken without delay and will be backed by appropriate and transparent implementing provisions.

– Contact: Mr Pierluigi Brombo (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 18 – e-mail: [email protected])

9. PRE-ACCESSION AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT MEASURES

● Pre-accession measures: Agriculture and rural development

– Rapporteur: Mr Donnelly (Various Activities – IE)

– References: COM(2004) 163 final – 2004/0054 CNS – CESE 847/2004

– Contact: Ms Katalin Gönczy (Tel: 00 32 2 546 98 18 – e-mail: [email protected])

10. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTON

• Packaging and packaging waste – Rapporteur: Mr Adams (Various Activities – UK)

– References: COM(2004) 127 final – 2004/0045 COD – CESE 846/2004

– Contact: Ms Katalin Gönczy (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 98 18 – e-mail: [email protected])

11. CODIFICATION AND SIMPLIFICATION OF COMMUNITY LEGISLATION

• Foodstuffs particular nutritional uses

– Rapporteur: Mr Donnelly (Various Activities – IE)

– References: COM(2004) 290 final – 2004/0090 COD – CESE 848/2004

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– Contact: Ms Eleonora Di Nicolantonio (Tel.: 00 32 546 94 54 – e-mail: [email protected])

• Codification/carriage of goods by road

– Rapporteur: Mr Simons (Employers – NL)

– References: COM(2004) 47 final – 2004/0017 COD – CESE 845/2004

– Contact: Mr Luís Lobo (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 17 – e-mail: [email protected])

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ACTIVITIES OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 111

ACTIVITIES OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Summary of resolutions and decisions adopted, subjects discussed in plenary and action taken

This document is available at :

http://www.europarl.ep.ec/bulletins/postsession.htm (Intranet) http://www.europarl.eu.int/bulletins/postsession.htm (Internet)

Section produced by the Directorate-General for Committees and Delegations

Bulletin 20.07.2004 - EN - PE 344.004