# CE2004065EN.01007901.xml

| 13.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 65/79 |
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13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 65/79

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(2004/C 65 E/088)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1411/03

by Ioannis Marínos (PPE-DE) and Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Council

(23 April 2003)

Subject:   Implementation of Interreg programme in Albania

Subject:

Representatives of the Greek ethnic minority in southern Albania and Mr Karamelos, a Member of the Albanian Parliament, claimed in a recent press conference at the European Parliament (2 April 2003), that only 30 % of the funding under the Community's Interreg II programme for measures on both sides of the Greek-Albanian border has been utilised, while Interreg III (which was set up for the period 2000-2006) has not yet begun. Consequently, no support has been received from Community sources for projects and initiatives to improve the position of the internationally recognised Greek minority in southern Albania. The Greek minority suffered persecution at the hands of the tyrannical totalitarian regime of Enver Hoxha for decades and still does not enjoy the fundamental democratic rights that are its due, as the EU institutions have repeatedly pointed out. During their visit to Parliament, these same representatives stressed that, twelve years after the collapse of the above regime, no census has been taken of the Greek population of Albania as a whole in accordance with practices in all well-governed European countries.

Are these claims concerning the implementation of Interreg II and III correct? If so, what is the reason for this delay, which is having an impact on the quality of life of thousands of Greeks and Albanians living in southern Albania? How does the Council intend to exert pressure on Albania to carry out a credible census of the Albanian population, along European lines, in order to determine the size of the Greek and other minorities (gypsies, Roma, Slavs, etc.) living in that country?

Reply

(17 November 2003)

(17 November 2003)

| 1. | The Council is not in a position to confirm the information reported by the Honourable Members. According to Chapter III ‘Community Initiatives’ of Title II of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds, the Commission is to lay down guidelines describing, for each initiative, the aims, scope and the appropriate method of implementation. In compliance with these rules, the Commission approved a communication on 28 April 2000 laying down guidelines for Interreg III. In accordance with that communication, it is the responsibility of the Commission to monitor, implement and evaluate the interventions covered by this Community initiative. |
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1.

The Council is not in a position to confirm the information reported by the Honourable Members. According to Chapter III ‘Community Initiatives’ of Title II of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds, the Commission is to lay down guidelines describing, for each initiative, the aims, scope and the appropriate method of implementation. In compliance with these rules, the Commission approved a communication on 28 April 2000 laying down guidelines for Interreg III. In accordance with that communication, it is the responsibility of the Commission to monitor, implement and evaluate the interventions covered by this Community initiative.

| 2. | The Council welcomed the commitment undertaken by Albania within the Joint Consultative Task force context to try to provide accurate data on the size of its minorities by the end of 2003 at the latest. |
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2.

The Council welcomed the commitment undertaken by Albania within the Joint Consultative Task force context to try to provide accurate data on the size of its minorities by the end of 2003 at the latest.

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