# CE2004078EN.01063801.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/638 |
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27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/638

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(2004/C 78 E/0673)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3733/03

by Constanze Krehl (PSE) to the Commission

(10 December 2003)

Subject:   Social partnerships for regional structural development in Saxony

Subject:

The ‘Stiftung Innovation und Arbeit Sachsen’ (‘Foundation for Innovation and Employment in Saxony’) is a specific example of one of Saxony's ‘Alliances for Employment’. Employers, employees and the state are represented in equal numbers in the foundation's bodies, and one of its tasks is to provide expert advice to small and medium-sized enterprises. The regional forums provide an infrastructure enabling regional actors to become involved in the development of regional models and projects.

| 1. | How important does the Commission believe it is to support social partnerships for regional structural development? |
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1.

How important does the Commission believe it is to support social partnerships for regional structural development?

| 2. | What forms of EU aid are available to social partnerships for regional structural development, such as the ‘Stiftung Innovation und Arbeit Sachsen’? |
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2.

What forms of EU aid are available to social partnerships for regional structural development, such as the ‘Stiftung Innovation und Arbeit Sachsen’?

| 3. | Is it necessary to change from institutional to project-based aid for regional offices for technical reasons? |
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3.

Is it necessary to change from institutional to project-based aid for regional offices for technical reasons?

| 4. | In view of the principle of additionality, has a firm deadline been set for the granting of aid to organisational structures such as the regional offices? |
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4.

In view of the principle of additionality, has a firm deadline been set for the granting of aid to organisational structures such as the regional offices?

| 5. | How does the Commission believe Structural Fund aid should interact with measures taken by the Free State of Saxony in order to ensure the lasting success of social partnerships for regional structural policy? |
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5.

How does the Commission believe Structural Fund aid should interact with measures taken by the Free State of Saxony in order to ensure the lasting success of social partnerships for regional structural policy?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(3 February 2004)

(3 February 2004)

| 1. and 2. | The role of the social partners in implementing the programmes supported by the Structural Funds is clearly recognised in the relevant legislation. In accordance with Article 8 of the general regulation on the Structural Funds (1), the social partners feature among authorities and bodies designated by the Member States for the ‘preparation, financing monitoring and evaluation of assistance’. Article 8 also provides for the annual consultation of ‘the European-level organisations representing the social partners about the structural policy of the Community’.
  Social partner organisations may also act as project promoters, either alone or with other partners. In addition, the Member State may sub-delegate responsibility to such organisations for the implementation of (parts of) programmes, subject to national and Community rules, where this helps to realise the objectives of the programmes concerned.
  For actions in the field of human resource development supported by the European Social Fund (ESF) the social partners can and should play a key role, in particular, in developing lifelong learning policies and strategies to increase adaptability of companies and their workers. |
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1. and 2.

The role of the social partners in implementing the programmes supported by the Structural Funds is clearly recognised in the relevant legislation. In accordance with Article 8 of the general regulation on the Structural Funds (1), the social partners feature among authorities and bodies designated by the Member States for the ‘preparation, financing monitoring and evaluation of assistance’. Article 8 also provides for the annual consultation of ‘the European-level organisations representing the social partners about the structural policy of the Community’.

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Social partner organisations may also act as project promoters, either alone or with other partners. In addition, the Member State may sub-delegate responsibility to such organisations for the implementation of (parts of) programmes, subject to national and Community rules, where this helps to realise the objectives of the programmes concerned.

For actions in the field of human resource development supported by the European Social Fund (ESF) the social partners can and should play a key role, in particular, in developing lifelong learning policies and strategies to increase adaptability of companies and their workers.

| 3. | The current legislation remains in force until 31 December 2006. The Commission will in due time bring forward proposals on the future of cohesion policy, including aspects relating to the involvement of the social partners. |
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3.

The current legislation remains in force until 31 December 2006. The Commission will in due time bring forward proposals on the future of cohesion policy, including aspects relating to the involvement of the social partners.

| 4. | For the current generation of programmes financed by the Structural Funds, funds must be committed at the level of the final beneficiaries by 31 December 2006. As it is an Objective 1 region, Saxony co-finances substantial parts of its development activities in the context of Structural Funds programmes. At the same time, the vast majority of expenditures under the state budget have no tie to Structural Funds. It is for the State authorities to ensure that both elements are complementary with a view to maximising the benefits for the citizens of Saxony. |
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4.

For the current generation of programmes financed by the Structural Funds, funds must be committed at the level of the final beneficiaries by 31 December 2006. As it is an Objective 1 region, Saxony co-finances substantial parts of its development activities in the context of Structural Funds programmes. At the same time, the vast majority of expenditures under the state budget have no tie to Structural Funds. It is for the State authorities to ensure that both elements are complementary with a view to maximising the benefits for the citizens of Saxony.

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

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