91998E1428

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1428/98 by John Iversen (PSE) to the Council (11 May 1998)

Subject: Football international between Germany and Nigeria

According to the British Presidency, does the international between Germany and Nigeria on 22 April 1998 conflict with the boycott imposed by the EU countries on Nigeria? The EU countries have undertaken to impose extensive sanctions, including a sports boycott, on Nigeria.

A friendly between Germany and Nigeria cannot be compared to a world cup match for which Nigeria has been granted an exemption. Entry permits for Nigerian players to participate in a two-nation friendly on German territory must therefore conflict with EU sanctions.

Joint answer to Written Questions P-1386/98 and E-1428/98 (6 July 1998)

The European Union has repeatedly expressed its grave concern at the situation in Nigeria. The Council reflected this on 28 November 1997 with its decision to extend the EU Common Position on Nigeria of 4 December 1995 (95/544/CFSP) until 1 November 1998. The Council remains firmly committed to securing change in Nigeria, to which it believes the measures set out against Nigeria in Common Position 95/544/CFSP, including the interruption of EU-Nigeria sporting links, are making a useful contribution.

Article 1, paragraphe 2, of Council Decision 97/820/CFSP on the implementation of Common Position 95/544/CFSP allows Member States to decide not to apply the restrictions on sporting links in order to fulfil prior undertakings given in respect of sporting events organised by international sports federations, that is to say the 1998 World Cup finals and matches already organised in preparations for it and the 1998 World Basketball Championships. The match between Germany and Nigeria on 22 April 1998 was a preparatory match for the World Cup already organised before the adoption of Council Decision 97/820/CFSP. The Council was aware of this at the time it adopted this Decision and agreed that Germany could issue visas to members of the Nigerian team. Germany did not, therefore, contravene Common Position 95/544/CFSP by issuing them.

The Council is satisfied that Member States are complying fully with Common Position 95/544/CFSP and Council Decision 97/820/CFSP on its implementation. The latter implies no change EU policy towards Nigeria and no relaxation of EU measures against it. Indeed, the Council's Conclusions of 28 November 1997 accompanying the Decision to renew Common Position 95/544/CFSP make it clear that if elections in Nigeria this year fail to permit a return to democracy and the rule of law before 1 October 1998, the EU will adopt measures in addition to those adopted in Common Position 95/544/CFSP.