91997E2645

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2645/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Activities of the Conflict Prevention Network and its implications for the Commission

The bureau of the EU-Cyprus Joint Parliamentary Committee received an invitation to attend a meeting on 16 July 1997 in Brussels concerning the situation in Cyprus. The invitation was issued by the Conflict Prevention Network (CNP), which receives Commission funding and uses its name, together with the European Union emblem, on its logotype.

The letter of invitation also indicates that 'the admission of the Greek section of the island alone, as a result of Greek pressure within the EU, will, in the long term, lead to a dramatic geostrategic shift in the south-eastern Mediterranean'.

The inaccurate nature of such observations concerning the future accession of Cyprus and the spirit behind them give a wholly distorted and imprecise picture of the situation on the island.

The meeting in question was cancelled following a timely response by the bureau of the Joint Parliamentary Committee. Nevertheless, this is a particularly serious matter since the Commission is revealed to be funding a body which is, in fact, propagating official positions adopted by Turkey, which has for 23 years, been occupying 37% of Cyprus.

What view does the Commission take of the above 'initiative'? What funding is being received by the CNP? Who is contributing and what criteria were applied in deciding to espouse its cause?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (24 September 1997)

On the basis of the Resolution on conflict prevention, adopted by the Parliament on 15 June 1995, requesting the Commission to set up a body responsible for collecting information on conflicts for the purpose of analysis and the drafting of proposals, the Commission has launched a pilot project for one to two years. The pilot programme 'Crisis prevention network' (CPN) consists of studies, briefs, advice and evaluations aiming to augment non-governmental analysis capacity on conflict prevention. It serves as a tool of information and analysis for both the Commission and the Parliament on conflict prevention issues. Any study or advice can be used by the institutions in their respective institutional responsibilities, without binding these institutions.

The work programme of the CPN is guided by a group of experts from the Parliament, academia and the Commission. At present, seven members of the Parliament participate in the group of experts. CPN is managed by Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik in Ebenhausen (Germany) and is directed by Dr Rummel. The contract with the Stiftung was awarded after an open tender procedure. The total value of the contract of the CPN is ECU 646 000.

The programme of the confidential briefing discussion on Cyprus planned by the CPN was not approved by the Commission and the text of the invitation does not represent the views of the Commission.