91996E1410

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1410/96 by Jan Wiebenga (ELDR) to the Commission (6 June 1996)

Subject: Transit of cocaine via the French Antilles

1. A report in the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf indicated that consignments of cocaine can enter the European Union almost without hindrance from the French Antilles in particular ((De Telegraaf, 3 February 1996. )). Can these French islands be counted as part of the territory of the European Union and also as part of the territory to which the Schengen Agreements apply?

2. Is the Commission willing to bring pressure to bear on the French Government to ensure that these gaps in the external frontiers of the European Union and Schengen area are stopped as soon as possible?

3. Has Europol (European Drugs Unit) adequate powers to take action in this matter and is this organization actively seeking to combat these illegal consignments?

4. Is action being taken to develop a plan, drawn up by all European countries which have links with the Caribbean region and South America, to halt the transit of cocaine and other drugs from this region? If so, what progress has been made? If not, does the Commission share the view that it is highly necessary for such a plan of action to be drawn up?

Anwer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (25 June 1996)

The Commission is not aware of the allegation in the question concerning the situation in the French Antilles which, as a French overseas department, is an integral part of Community territory. According to Article 138 of the Schengen Agreement, as regards the French Republic, the provisions of this Agreement only apply to the European territory of the French Republic.

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's concern at the threat posed by imports of cocaine into the Community but has no legal power to influence the way drugs policies are enforced by the Member States.

In this context, the work of the European drugs unit in the area of intelligence to fight against drugs trafficking is very valuable and needs to be continued.

Further to a request by the Madrid European Council, the Council and the Commission are preparing a report and proposals for action targeted to Latin America and the Caribbean including the setting up of a cooperation mechanism in the fight against drugs between the Community on the one hand, and Latin America including the Caribbean ACP states and OCT (oversea countries and territories) on the other.