Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-03-09-Speech-3-190"
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"en.20050309.16.3-190"2
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".
Mr President, thank you for this opportunity to discuss the very difficult issue of the health professionals detained in Libya, which indeed casts a shadow over international relations with that country. In order to fully address this issue, it is necessary to widen the scope of the discussion to also address the issue of the families in Benghazi affected by the mass HIV infection. The Commission considers these to be two separate dramas, but they have been linked by the verdict pronounced in May 2004 against the Bulgarian and Palestinian medical staff currently detained in Libya.
The EU has decided to embark upon a policy of engagement with Libya and has already given considerable recognition to the significant steps taken by Libya to secure reintegration into the international community. Libya has been invited to move towards formal relations with the EU as a Mediterranean partner and as a close neighbour. In this context, the issue of the medical workers remains a serious problem and one which, as Libya understands very well, needs to be brought to an acceptable end.
I shall first address the issue of the Benghazi families. They are confronted with this infection which, either directly or indirectly, has affected many people. We have recently been reminded again of this tragedy by the recent deaths of some of the children and adults affected. The EU has a deep understanding of the serious consequences of the kind of large-scale accidental infection that affected Benghazi. Having faced similar tragedies in European countries, we have developed programmes to alleviate the effects of such tragedies and a system to prevent similar outbreaks from reoccurring.
We can use this extensive experience to help the Libyan authorities deal with this situation and contribute to alleviating the plight of the stricken families in Benghazi. On numerous occasions the Commission and the EU have expressed their utmost compassion and solidarity as regards the situation in Benghazi. On the basis of a technical assessment carried out by the Commission in August 2004 and endorsed by the Council, the EU is now implementing an action plan aimed at addressing some of the issues faced by the Bengahzi families and also at enhancing capacities in the health sector in Libya.
The implementation of this action plan is an act of solidarity aimed at expressing EU compassion by addressing specific identified needs in Libya. It is the responsibility of all of us to make sure that the action plan is implemented rapidly, completely and efficiently.
In November 2004, the Commission organised an international meeting to launch the action plan and it is working closely with the Gaddafi Foundation to implement it. Success will depend on contributions by various public and private donors from the international community.
I shall now address the issue of the five Bulgarian and Palestinian medical staff detained in Libya since 1999. The EU has repeatedly expressed serious reservations over the basis on which the trial was conducted, the treatment of the defendants, and delays in the process. It therefore came as a great disappointment and a source of concern when last May they were condemned to death on grounds that remain, in the Commission's view, unclear and unsatisfactory. Immediately after the verdict was pronounced, the EU and the Commission emphasised the importance we attach to a satisfactory and just outcome of the trial, and requested a reconsideration. An appeal process will soon be examined by the Libyan Supreme Court.
The Commission has remained involved in working with the Libyan authorities to reach a satisfactory outcome to this issue. The EU made two formal approaches, at Prime Ministerial level, on 12 June and 27 June 2004. On 3 October 2004, a Commission official visited the Bulgarian and Palestinian medical staff to express its support for the detainees and to convey its concerns to the Libyan authorities. On 11 October 2004, the Council again expressed its grave concern over the plight of the medical workers and asked Libya to consider the release of the medical staff on the basis of a re-examination of the existing evidence.
The Commission will continue to attach high priority to this dramatic issue and is constantly seeking ways to contribute to a positive outcome. It will remain in contact with the Libyan authorities, the Gaddafi Foundation and the Bulgarian authorities.
I am convinced that all those concerned would like to turn the page on this tragedy as soon as possible. On the basis of the existing evidence, that is what must be done. At the same time, we will continue to focus on ways of alleviating the suffering of the Benghazi families and of helping the Libyan authorities build systems that will prevent a repetition of this contamination."@en1
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