Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-01-21-Speech-5-046"
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"en.20000121.3.5-046"2
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"Mr� President, the statements by Commissioner Diamantopoulou reassure us as they demonstrate that the Commission is aware of the problems caused by the lack of security for volunteer workers in certain countries. Mrs� Sauquillo has highlighted, in both her oral question and her intervention, that this problem is not specific to one country. While Colombia is certainly one of the countries whose situation does not allow the security of volunteers to be guaranteed, this is also true of many other countries in Africa, Asia and other places.
The motion for a resolution asks the Commission to draw up a communication in this respect. I am not sure if this is the most appropriate instrument but it seems that the Commission is ready to work in this direction. It would probably be useful to look at preparing a document.
The aspect which does not make much sense to me is the singling out of Colombia and the support for some of the amendments tabled which are aimed, for example, at suspending cooperation. The suspension of cooperation with these countries causes great harm to their people. We must not curtail this cooperation when this is unselfishly provided by people who know the risks to which they are exposed.
Furthermore, to suggest that we might stop governmental participation in the channelling of aid is to ignore the real situation. I have visited many areas of Colombia and, apart from the natural factors – it is difficult terrain – there is the added problem of the existence of several movements of different types. We never know which one may end someone’s life. Without a minimum amount of governmental aid, cooperation would be absolutely impossible.
I therefore believe that this debate is very useful as a reminder to the Commission of what is happening. To a certain extent, the Commission has reassured us by indicating that this is an issue of concern to it but we must look at the situation calmly. International cooperation must continue. This European Community has to continue setting an example in international cooperation. We have to support our volunteers and it would therefore be desirable for the Community institutions, the governments of the Member States and the governments of the recipient countries to guarantee the security of these workers. This protection could be provided firstly through prevention and secondly through legal action. The Colombian authorities assure me that they have already initiated legal proceedings based on the detention of one person. Colombia is a country in which the judiciary enjoys great independence and the executive does not have the power to judge criminals. The standard legal channels must therefore be followed.
So, Commissioner Diamantopoulou, I encourage you to follow the course which has been set. In this way we hope that the security of our volunteer workers can be improved."@en1
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