Presence of US military bases in Europe and espionage against EU citizens by the US security services
31.10.2013
Question for written answer E-012377-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Sergio Berlato (PPE)
The recent news in the international press has highlighted the will of the United States to monitor every tiny detail of the policies of the main EU Member States. To achieve their strategic and military objectives the Americans are able to take advantage of formidable technological capabilities as well as an extensive network of military facilities throughout Europe. These are military structures that are designed for the sole use of the US Army, even though they are formally under the command of the host state. They were established as a result of international agreements signed at the end of the Second World War, based on mutual friendship and mutual military interests. Italy, for example, has six US military bases. Of these, the two bases in the city of Vicenza alone accommodate around 5 000 soldiers. This presence of the US armed forces on the European continent, given the espionage activities carried out by US government agencies, raises serious questions as to the possible threat to the true freedom of the peoples of Europe and the real sovereignty of their governments.
That said, can the Commission answer the following questions:
- —Is it aware of any illegal data collection activity carried out by military personnel housed in US army bases in Europe?
- —Does it believe that the presence in Europe of US military bases, in the light of the ‘Datagate’ scandal, could be a danger for the full expression of the self-determination of EU citizens, as enshrined in the Treaty of Lisbon?
- —Will it propose, to the Member States concerned, a review of the internationaltreaties governing the presence of US military bases in Europe, in order to protect theexercise of the full sovereignty of those Member States?
- —In the context of the common foreign and security policy, does it not agree that it might be useful to install European military contingents on US soil, on grounds of reciprocity in US-EU bilateral relations as regards military affairs?
OJ C 230, 17/07/2014