91999E1740

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1740/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 September 1999)

Subject: Difficulties facing EU students in Yugoslavia as a result of the bombing

A significant number of students from the Member States, particularly Greece, had embarked on courses of study in Yugoslavia before war broke out. Those students and their families are now having to cope with very serious problems in the form of pollution, shortage of drinking water, the collapse of infrastructure, lack of medical care, the terrible difficulties of travelling, fuel shortages and rising crime owing to the breakdown of society following the war. Naturally, many students are reluctant to return and there is a risk that they will abandon their courses midway through.

The following questions are put to the Commission:

1. In the light of the information available, does the Commission consider that current conditions are sufficiently safe to enable EU students to continue their courses in Yugoslavia?

2. Does the Commission not agree that the best solution would be to transfer students to universities in their countries of origin so that they avoid the mounting dangers and continue their courses undistracted?

3. What initiatives could the Commission take to deal effectively with the problems of these students?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 1999)

As regards the general issues raised concerning the environmental consequences for Serbia of the Kosovo conflict, the Honourable Member is referred to the answer given by the Commission to written question P-498/99 by Mr Watts(1) and the answer given to the Honourable Member's written question E-1512/99(2).

The Commission cannot comment on whether the conditions within a third country are sufficiently safe to enable students from Member States to pursue their chosen studies. The question of transfer of students from universities in third countries to those in Member States is a matter for the students themselves and for the universities concerned. The Commission does not intend to take any initiative in this regard.

(1) OJ C 348, 3.12.1999, p. 85.

(2) OJ C 27 E, 29.1.2000, p. 103.