# CE2004070EN.01014502.xml

| 20.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 70/145 |
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20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 70/145

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(2004/C 70 E/150)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2835/03

by Heinz Kindermann (PSE) to the Commission

(18 September 2003)

Subject:   Approval of TERRA project ‘Geoplantour’ — OLAF investigations

Subject:

The European Anti-Fraud Office, OLAF, is investigating suspected irregularities (case reference IO/2001/4030) in connection with the approval of a project entitled Geoplantour submitted under the EU's TERRA programme in 1997.

Can the Commission answer the following:

| 1. | Is the Geoplantour project approved in 1997 simply a modified version of the original project No 57 B, ‘Bugewitzer Oderhaff-Zone’, or is a totally new project actually involved? |
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1.

Is the Geoplantour project approved in 1997 simply a modified version of the original project No 57 B, ‘Bugewitzer Oderhaff-Zone’, or is a totally new project actually involved?

| 2. | How does the Commission explain the fact that Directorate-General XVI (currently regional policy) approved a Geoplantour project in the summer of 1997, i.e. a year after the deadline of 8 July 1986, contrary to the implementing provisions for the TERRA programme and the principle of equal treatment? |
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2.

How does the Commission explain the fact that Directorate-General XVI (currently regional policy) approved a Geoplantour project in the summer of 1997, i.e. a year after the deadline of 8 July 1986, contrary to the implementing provisions for the TERRA programme and the principle of equal treatment?

| 3. | How does the Commission explain the fact that the Directorate-General for Regional Policy has to date failed to answer two written inquiries from OLAF, thereby delaying OLAF's investigations into this matter? |
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3.

How does the Commission explain the fact that the Directorate-General for Regional Policy has to date failed to answer two written inquiries from OLAF, thereby delaying OLAF's investigations into this matter?

| 4. | What does the Commission now intend to do to step up the investigation into this case? |
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4.

What does the Commission now intend to do to step up the investigation into this case?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 2003)

(1 December 2003)

| 1. | Geoplantour is a new project, with a new partnership, based on an initial proposal — Project No 57 Β ‘Bugewitzer Oderhaff-Zone’ — submitted under a call for projects for the TERRA programme, submitted by the Gemeinde (municipality) of Bugewitz/Amt Ducherow (Germany). |
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1.

Geoplantour is a new project, with a new partnership, based on an initial proposal — Project No 57 Β ‘Bugewitzer Oderhaff-Zone’ — submitted under a call for projects for the TERRA programme, submitted by the Gemeinde (municipality) of Bugewitz/Amt Ducherow (Germany).

| 2. | The Geoplantour project was approved in accordance with the project selection procedures set out in Article 10 of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the period 1994-1999 and the procedure indicated in the call for proposals. Moreover, the text published in the Official Journal made it clear that the Commission reserved the right to propose amendments to the programme or strategy before a proposal regarded as innovative was definitively approved.
  The final date for the submission of proposals, laid down in the call for proposals (1), was 8 July 1996. The projects received were examined in depth by a committee of 12 independent experts on 23/24 September 1996, and then by an interdepartmental working party on regional planning on 22 October 1996. Fifteen pilot projects were selected. The financing decisions were signed with the lead partners of each project following a detailed consultation between the Commission and the local authorities responsible and their partners in the successful projects, in accordance with the call for proposals.
  The Bugewitz/Ducherow project was not originally selected, as it did not meet all the eligibility criteria (in particular, there was no transnational partnership). However, the Commission persuaded it to work with a Greek partner from one of the 15 successful projects. The original proposal was reworked on this basis by the new partnership. The project partnership, now dubbed Geoplantour, was expanded to regional level in Germany and its content was improved.
  During the negotiating period which preceded the final decision to grant funding, the Commission received complaints about the project from a consultant who had worked with the German partner. The Commission consulted the German authorities to clarify the situation before it took its final decision, which explains the late approval of the project at the end of 1997.
  The Commission finally granted funding under the TERRA programme to the municipality of Bugewitz/Amt Ducherow, as the local authority responsible for carrying out the project. It is not for the Commission to comment on the problems between the body responsible for the project and the consultant who had been involved in drafting the original proposal.
  The Commission closed the project at the beginning of 2003. |
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2.

The Geoplantour project was approved in accordance with the project selection procedures set out in Article 10 of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the period 1994-1999 and the procedure indicated in the call for proposals. Moreover, the text published in the Official Journal made it clear that the Commission reserved the right to propose amendments to the programme or strategy before a proposal regarded as innovative was definitively approved.

The final date for the submission of proposals, laid down in the call for proposals (1), was 8 July 1996. The projects received were examined in depth by a committee of 12 independent experts on 23/24 September 1996, and then by an interdepartmental working party on regional planning on 22 October 1996. Fifteen pilot projects were selected. The financing decisions were signed with the lead partners of each project following a detailed consultation between the Commission and the local authorities responsible and their partners in the successful projects, in accordance with the call for proposals.

1

The Bugewitz/Ducherow project was not originally selected, as it did not meet all the eligibility criteria (in particular, there was no transnational partnership). However, the Commission persuaded it to work with a Greek partner from one of the 15 successful projects. The original proposal was reworked on this basis by the new partnership. The project partnership, now dubbed Geoplantour, was expanded to regional level in Germany and its content was improved.

During the negotiating period which preceded the final decision to grant funding, the Commission received complaints about the project from a consultant who had worked with the German partner. The Commission consulted the German authorities to clarify the situation before it took its final decision, which explains the late approval of the project at the end of 1997.

The Commission finally granted funding under the TERRA programme to the municipality of Bugewitz/Amt Ducherow, as the local authority responsible for carrying out the project. It is not for the Commission to comment on the problems between the body responsible for the project and the consultant who had been involved in drafting the original proposal.

The Commission closed the project at the beginning of 2003.

| 3. | OLAF contacted the Directorate-General for Regional Policy as part of its investigation. In the meantime, in accordance with the rules in force, the Commission had provided OLAF with the documents and information requested and all relevant information. |
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3.

OLAF contacted the Directorate-General for Regional Policy as part of its investigation. In the meantime, in accordance with the rules in force, the Commission had provided OLAF with the documents and information requested and all relevant information.

| 4. | OLAF has full control of its investigations; the Commission provides OLAF with existing documents, ensures the cooperation of its departments, and, if necessary, reminds its departments of their obligation to cooperate if OLAF reports any problems. OLAF is already working in collaboration with the German authorities in order to speed up the investigation. |
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4.

OLAF has full control of its investigations; the Commission provides OLAF with existing documents, ensures the cooperation of its departments, and, if necessary, reminds its departments of their obligation to cooperate if OLAF reports any problems. OLAF is already working in collaboration with the German authorities in order to speed up the investigation.

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(1)  OJ C 119, 24.4.1996.

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