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Document 92001E002656
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2656/01 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Reconsideration of the EU's foreign policy.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2656/01 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Reconsideration of the EU's foreign policy.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2656/01 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Reconsideration of the EU's foreign policy.
UL C 172E, 18.7.2002, p. 11–11
(ES, DA, DE, EL, EN, FR, IT, NL, PT, FI, SV)
92001E2656
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2656/01 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Reconsideration of the EU's foreign policy.
Official Journal 172 E , 18/07/2002 P. 0011 - 0011
WRITTEN QUESTION E-2656/01 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission (1 October 2001) Subject: Reconsideration of the EU's foreign policy According to information so far made public by the American authorities, Muslim extremists led by bin Laden are implicated in the terrorist attack on the USA, while Afghanistan's Islamic leadership is accused of providing him with support. It is worth noting that in the past information has been published in the European press concerning the involvement of bin Laden's followers in the Bosnian war, while Muslim extremists also participated in the conflict in Kosovo in 1999. It should be remembered that many EU countries helped the Bosnians and the Kosovans both militarily and politically in their conflict with the Serbs. Does the EU intend to reconsider the policy of support which it has given to Muslim extremist cells in the Balkans? Does it consider that the USA's planned retaliation is placing EU countries in danger? Can accurate figures be provided for the total humanitarian aid given by the EU to Pakistan and Afghanistan during the last five years? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (27 November 2001) The Community's support in the Balkans is designed to build stability, democracy and the rule of law; it aims to counter extremism in all its forms which has wreaked such havoc across the region in the last decade. The Commission considers that the attacks in the United States on 11 September represented an attack on open and free societies everywhere. The threat of terrorism is a danger to us all, and the firm action being taken to deal with it is necessary and legitimate. The most dangerous course of action would be to not take action. Commitments of Community aid to Pakistan for development and economic cooperation over the last five years amount to: >TABLE> Pakistan can further benefit under decentralised regional projects, on the basis of calls for proposals. Humanitarian aid for Pakistan and Afghanistan for the period 1997-2001. >TABLE>