91998E3673

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3673/98

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: Financing agreements with the Czech Republic

On the occasion of his visit to the Czech Republic in early October Commissioner van den Broek signed three financing agreements with the Czech Finance Minister, Mr Svoboda, involving payments of ECU 36,9 million to the Czech Republic from PHARE funds. Part of this money is to be spent on projects concerning democratisation and the protection of minorities.

Can the Commission answer the following questions:

1. Do these projects include funding for the German-speaking minority?

2. Is the conclusion of the financing agreements connected with obligations concerning improving the rights guaranteed in the European Convention on Human Rights (annulment of the Bene[scaron] Decrees)?

3. Does the Commission believe that the Bene[scaron] Decrees, which are still in force and which violate international law and human rights, satisfy the Copenhagen criteria (respect for and compliance with human rights)?

4. Has the Commission ever raised the question of the Bene[scaron] Decrees in the acquis screening?

5. If not, why not? If so, with what result?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(13 January 1999)

1. On 12 October 1998 the Czech Finance Minister and the responsible member of the Commission signed documents related to the 1998 national Phare programme for the Czech Republic, which includes a project supporting the further integration of Roma into Czech society.

2. Phare assistance is conditional on the Czech Republic's respect of its commitments under the Europe agreement, further steps towards satisfying the political and economic criteria established by the Copenhagen European Council of June 1993 and progress in implementing the accession partnership of March 1998.

3. The implementation of the European Human Rights Convention (EHRC) is the responsibility of the Council of Europe. Questions on the compatibility of the Benes decrees with the EHRC can only be answered by that organisation. Furthermore, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the provisions of the Czech-German Declaration of January 1997.

4. and 5. No questions related to the issues raised by the Honourable Member have arisen under the negotiating chapters already examined during the screening exercice.