WRITTEN QUESTION E-2099/99

by Gilles Savary (PSE) to the Commission

(19 November 1999)

Subject: Al Invest Programme

For the 1995-2000 period the Commission launched an EU-Latin America economic cooperation programme to enable economic operators on both continents and from various sectors to meet and to set up partnerships, particularly in the form of investment projects, distribution agreements, technology transfers, joint ventures and strategic alliances. The Commission has proposed extending the Al Invest programme for a further period (2000-2004) and increasing its funding, and has forwarded such a proposal to the European Parliament. During the programme's initial period of operation there was evidence that the procedures for making payments to operators were becoming cumbersome.

With this in mind and with the aim of identifying ways in which proper account could be taken of operators' views and needs, and given that the new Al Invest guide to procedure is currently in preparation at the Commission, would the Commission answer the following questions:

- What arrangements does the Commission intend to make for involving operators in the establishment of procedures for the implementation of the new Al Invest programme?

- To what extent may one look forward to the implementation of procedures for communication and cooperation with operators which are more flexible than was the case during the Al Invest programme's initial period of operation?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 1999)

In reply to the first part of the question, the Commission stresses that nothing can replace direct contact with operators. In 1998 (London) and 1999 (Barcelona), meetings were arranged under the name Connect to allow operators to exchange ideas with the Commission for about two days (in addition to direct contact among operators in order to prepare proposals for meetings of firms, which are the main function of Connect). At each of the meetings stock was taken of all the technical, administrative and financial aspects, on which the success of the programme depends. Connect meetings will be arranged in the last three months of every year from 2000 to 2004. Direct, individual contact with operators will also take place, where necessary, by electronic and ordinary mail. There is now also a web site with an Intranet (members only) part reserved for operators (www.al-invest.org). A technical secretariat, which provides support and advice for operators, will be maintained until the end of 2005.

In reply to the second part of the question, the Commission stresses that a number of measures will be progressively introduced, starting with the maintenance of a specific standard contract for Al-Invest throughout stage 2 (similar to what was done in stage 1). A full-scale test was launched at the end of 1998 and since then the Commission has also taken the measures needed to ensure that payments are made quickly and regularly. Further improvements could still be made. The technical secretariat pays special attention to the presentation by operators of their technical reports and financial reports, so as to limit requests for additional information and rejections by the Commission. Payment deadlines are now under control. In agreement with operators, the date for presenting proposals for activities will gradually be brought forward by three months so that between receipt of the signed contract and the date on which a sectoral meeting is held there is sufficient time for thorough preparations.

These measures were agreed with operators at a number of meetings held this year: European operators (February); Latin American operators (June); French operators (September, Lille); European and Latin American operators (October, Connect Barcelona).