# CE2004084EN.01042001.xml

| 3.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 84/420 |
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3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 84/420

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(2004/C 84 E/0490)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0507/04

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(24 February 2004)

Subject:   Outermost regions

Subject:

According to media reports the European Commissioner responsible for regional policy, speaking at a conference of EU officials from the outermost regions which took place on 28 January 2004 in Brussels, issued a warning that those regions were likely to lose influence once the Union was enlarged to take in a further 10 members.

This is a highly disturbing view and it must be taken as a basis for adopting more intensive and more effective compensatory measures.

According to the same source the Commission is to respond by proposing the establishment of a ‘specific competitiveness programme’ worth EUR 1 billion to be added to the existing structural funds. This will enable regional policy to be implemented consistently with a view to fostering sustainable development in the outermost regions, depending on each region's shortcomings and degree of economic backwardness.

In view of the above, would the Commission answer the following questions:

| — | What action does the Commission think should be taken by and within each region in order to prevent or reduce a region's loss of influence? |
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What action does the Commission think should be taken by and within each region in order to prevent or reduce a region's loss of influence?

| — | Can it say which sectors will mainly be involved in the programme? |
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Can it say which sectors will mainly be involved in the programme?

| — | How does it intend to apportion the available funding in both percentage and absolute terms? |
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How does it intend to apportion the available funding in both percentage and absolute terms?

| — | Does it consider that, in view of the repeatedly stated intention to give priority to achieving genuine convergence between the regions, the programme in question is sufficient not only to prevent divergence but also to ensure that the outermost regions are brought up to the EU average in terms of living standards and quality of life? |
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Does it consider that, in view of the repeatedly stated intention to give priority to achieving genuine convergence between the regions, the programme in question is sufficient not only to prevent divergence but also to ensure that the outermost regions are brought up to the EU average in terms of living standards and quality of life?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(26 March 2004)

(26 March 2004)

On 18 February the Commission adopted the Third report on economic and social cohesion. This specifically indicates the strategy for the outermost regions:

The Commission intends, within the convergence objective, to set up a specific programme to compensate for the specific constraints of the outermost regions, as recognised by Article 299.2 of the Treaty and requested by the European Council of 21/22 June 2002 in Seville. In addition, an action ‘Grand Voisinage’ aimed at facilitating cooperation with the neighbouring countries would be included under the new ‘European territorial cooperation’ programmes. In accordance with the request of the Council, the Commission will shortly present a report on an overall strategy for the outermost regions.

The outermost regions as defined under Article 299 of the Treaty that would not be covered by the new convergence objective would also benefit from a specific transitional State aid regime setting limits on aid that would be comparable, initially, to those defined under Article 87.3(a), followed by a gradual reduction.

We are now preparing the report on an overall strategy mentioned above.

Due for adoption in the immediate future, it sets out to reply to the very questions the Honourable Member puts.

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