92003E0108

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0108/03

by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission

(20 January 2003)

Subject: Funding the recovery of the Joola ferry additional questions

The answer to my earlier question (E-3319/02(1)) begs further questions.

The 8th EDF is not used up for Senegal.

In the view of the Commission, can funds for recovering the bodies of the victims and salvaging the ferry come from the 8th EDF, if Senegal agrees?

Does the Commission not have a moral and political duty to coordinate the recovery operation? Or does the Commission not wish to be involved in any way, and will it leave it to the affected Member States (France, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands) to recover their own citizens themselves?

Is Europe going to fail to extend help to the victims, although its would make funds available immediately if a similar disaster were to take place off its own coast?

(1) See page 29.

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 2003)

The Commission cannot use the financial resources of the eighth European Development Fund (EDF) as they are already earmarked for specific operations determined with the country as part of the cooperation strategy.

The Commission fully understands the concern expressed and the importance of the issue at hand; however, it must stress that the responsibility for taking any kind of initiative concerning the Joola ferry lies first and foremost with the Senegalese authorities.

Moreover, recovering the bodies of EU citizens is not included in the objectives of development cooperation with ACP countries, as defined in Article 177 of the EC Treaty and in the Cotonou Agreement.