4.4.

2002 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 81 E/135

(2002/C 81 E/160) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2239/01

by Isidoro Sánchez García (ELDR) to the Council

(26 July 2001)

Subject: Situation in Western Sahara

On 24 March 2000 I tabled a written question to the Council on the referendum in Western Sahara
(E-0908/00) (1), specifically on whether the Council intended, via the High Representative for the Common
Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, to include in its work programme participation in the control
and monitoring of issues affecting the future of the Sahara, in particular as regards the referendum.

The Council answered my question on 10 July 2000, when it expressed its willingness to contribute to this
process and help build a climate of confidence among the interested parties in order to find an acceptable
negotiated solution based on respect for human rights and democratic principles.

One year on, the European Union’s High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy
Javier Solana has stated in Rabat that the European Union supports the position taken by the United
Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan regarding the Sahara conflict, i.e. the temporary freezing of the
settlement plan under which a referendum was to be held on self-determination in exchange for granting a
degree of autonomy to the former Spanish colony, which would remain under Moroccan sovereignty.

Is this the case?

(1) OJ C 46 E, 13.2.2001, p. 77.

Reply

(26 November 2001)

The Council fully supports the process within the UN as set out in the UN Security Council resolutions,
and particularly Mr James Baker’s efforts. In its resolution 1359 of 29 June 2001, the Security Council
clearly indicated the course to be followed, inter alia encouraging the parties to examine, whether directly
or indirectly, the draft framework agreement on the status of the Western Sahara contained in Annex 1 to
the UN Secretary-General’s report of 20 June 2001 (S/2001/613), and any other proposal for a political
settlement which might be put forward by the parties in order to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
The resolution also calls for the proposals submitted by the Polisario with a view to overcoming the
obstacles to applying the UN settlement plan to be examined while these talks continue. Moreover,
Mr Solana, Secretary-General/High Representative of the EU for the CFSP, has never spoken of the freezing
of the settlement plan, with the latter still remaining a basis for a solution. Whatever solution that may be,
it should be based on full compliance with democratic principles and human rights, and encompass the
worrying issue of Moroccan refugees and prisoners, particularly those who are in urgent need of medical
attention.

(2002/C 81 E/161) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2241/01

by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) and Mikko Pesälä (ELDR) to the Commission

(26 July 2001)

Subject: Need to develop assessment instruments for the EU structural funds

In our view there are shortcomings in the assessment, follow-up and monitoring of structural fund
projects, because no common and comparable assessment instruments or output quality indicators have
been developed.

In particular there is a need for both quantitative and qualitative assessment instruments for employment,
social and health projects.