92002E2162

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2162/02

by Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 July 2002)

Subject: EU Special Representative in Bosnia

Can the Commission say how much Lord Ashdown is paid in his capacity as EU Special Representative in Bosnia? What financing is provided by the EU for his office?

With reference to the sacking and barring from future public office by Lord Ashdown of the democratically-elected Deputy Prime Minister of the Muslim-Croat Federation, Nikola Grabovac, can it say whether democratic standards will really be fostered in the new country when an unelected foreigner wields such arbitrary power in this manner? To quote the office of the Special Representative: This is about political responsibility. If Bosnia is to become part of Europe, then it needs to adopt these sorts of European standards. Is Lord Ashdown teaching Bosnians a European standard of public behaviour? If so, why has the Commission never publicly condemned any of the instances of massive fraud revealed in political parties in the EU? If not, will the Commission be reprimanding Lord Ashdown for his dictatorial behaviour, which is unacceptable from a representative of democratic European countries?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

Lord Ashdown was appointed Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (double-hatted) under a Council Joint Action (2002/211/CFSP) of 11 March 2002. He receives no Union remuneration in his capacity as Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). However, financing is provided for the operating costs of the Office of the High Representative under Council Regulation (EC) No 1080/2000 of 22 May 2000. In 2002 this financing is set at EUR 13 307 million.

Lord Ashdown dismissed Nikola Grabovac because, in his judgement, the latter had failed to supervise actively his ministry and to perform effectively the function of the Federation Minister of Finance. Mr Grabovac also failed to show the required leadership by taking political responsibility for the loss of 1,7 million KM from the public purse. The powers of the High Representative do not derive from democratic election; but they are not arbitrary. They are conferred on him by annex 10 of the Dayton Peace Agreement and by the December 1997 Bonn Peace Implementation Council. In exercising his Bonn powers the aim of the High Representative is to promote implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and a self-sustaining peace in Bosnia in which international supervision is, in due course, no longer necessary. The Union's efforts in BiH are designed to help the country make progress in the Stabilisation and Association process, and to realise its aspirations as a potential candidate for Union membership to become a member of the Union one day. But like other potential candidates, BiH must show that is willing, over time, to take on the obligations that would come with eventual Union membership.

The Commission strongly supports Lord Ashdown in his work as High Representative, and his decision in this case.