# CE2004084EN.01012501.xml

| 3.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 84/125 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 84/125

---

(2004/C 84 E/0161)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3983/03

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(6 January 2004)

Subject:   Closure of the multiregional operational programme for water resources under Objective 1 for Italy in the context of the 1994-1999 Community Support Framework

Subject:

Given that:

| — | In letters dated 31 March, 29 April and 25 November the questioner asked the Regional Policy DG for access — by virtue of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 (1) on public access to documents — to the final assessment report on the multiregional operational programme on water resources in the Objective 1 regions - Regulation (EEC) No 2081/93 - CSF 1994-1999. |
| --- | --- |

—

In letters dated 31 March, 29 April and 25 November the questioner asked the Regional Policy DG for access — by virtue of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 (1) on public access to documents — to the final assessment report on the multiregional operational programme on water resources in the Objective 1 regions - Regulation (EEC) No 2081/93 - CSF 1994-1999.

1

| — | Each time the Commission replied that it was waiting until the end of the programme when the documents would be available and then that it was waiting a few more months, the next deadline specified being January 2004. |
| --- | --- |

—

Each time the Commission replied that it was waiting until the end of the programme when the documents would be available and then that it was waiting a few more months, the next deadline specified being January 2004.

| — | On 19 November 2002, in its press release 47/2002 on Special Report 1/2002 concerning the multiregional operational programme for water resources — CSF 1994-1999 — the Court of Auditors pointed out, pending certification of the expenditure balance, which was expected to be forwarded during 2002, the achievement of two not insignificant results: full utilisation of the Community funds and completion of the planned measures. |
| --- | --- |

—

On 19 November 2002, in its press release 47/2002 on Special Report 1/2002 concerning the multiregional operational programme for water resources — CSF 1994-1999 — the Court of Auditors pointed out, pending certification of the expenditure balance, which was expected to be forwarded during 2002, the achievement of two not insignificant results: full utilisation of the Community funds and completion of the planned measures.

Can the Commission say:

| — | when Italy sent the final assessment report, or what the timetable was for the final closure of the programme; |
| --- | --- |

—

when Italy sent the final assessment report, or what the timetable was for the final closure of the programme;

| — | whether and how many times it asked for explanations about and corrections to the final report; |
| --- | --- |

—

whether and how many times it asked for explanations about and corrections to the final report;

| — | whether it is normal for a programme, which was supposed to be concluded in 1999, to be concluded four years later and why, one year after the actual conclusion, the final report is still not available? |
| --- | --- |

—

whether it is normal for a programme, which was supposed to be concluded in 1999, to be concluded four years later and why, one year after the actual conclusion, the final report is still not available?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(17 February 2004)

(17 February 2004)

We can inform the Honourable Member that the final assessment report from the national authorities reached us on 24 November 2003.

In his second question he speaks of the ‘final report’ and not of the ‘final assessment report’. These are in fact two different documents.

The ‘final report’, which is required before action can be taken to close the programme, was sent by Italy on 7 March 2003, i.e. within the time limit set in Article 52(5) 2nd subparagraph of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 (2).

2

In a note of 12 May we then asked for further information on this ‘final report’ and by a note of 24 November received a full reply from Italy.

On that basis we sent a proposal for closure to Italy on 4 December, and received Italy's assent to this on 16 January.

In reply to the Honourable Member's last question, the programme was closed in line with the Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 procedures.

---

(1)  OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43.

1

(2)  Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds, OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

2

---