WRITTEN QUESTION E-2136/96 by Felipe Camisón Asensio (PPE) to the Commission (3 August 1996)

Subject: URB-AL programme

It may not be generally known that the URB-AL programme for the exchange of experiences between local and regional authorities in Latin America and the EU via the creation of subject-based networks was adopted by the Commission in December 1995, the legal basis being Regulation 443/92 ((OJ L 52, 27.2.1992, p. 1.)) on cooperation with the countries of Latin America.

The budget allocation for this programme is ECU 21 665 m.

On the subject of this programme, can the Commission provide information on the following points:

1. How many members does the statutory Technical Committee have, and on what basis are they appointed?

2. How many of the members of this Committee have been appointed to date, and who are they?

3. What are the functions of the Committee?

4. How many seminars have been programmed to date, where will they be held, and what were the criteria of choice employed?

5. What are the criteria for applications in this connection?

6. When will the Technical Secretariat be operational?

7. Can the Commission specify the particular actions or cooperation projects which are planned?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (13 September 1996)

The Commission's financial contribution to URB-AL, a programme it adopted in December 1995, is ECU 14 million. Contributions from other partners bring the total budget to about ECU 21 million.

The high-level technical committee is to have six members. Its role is to provide the Commission with technical advice on key urban issues in Europe and Latin America, on the choice of topics for seminars and experts in the areas covered, and on any other matter the Commission may wish to put to it in the course of URB-AL's implementation.

This is a high-level technical advisory committee; it is not political. Its members are supposed to have extensive knowledge and proven experience of the different aspects of urban problems, and of cooperation in the field. The Commission is still considering the definitive composition of the committee, its aim being to ensure that different regions and specializations are evenly represented.

The themes and the cities for the first two seminars have been chosen by the Commission in the light of the priorities and centres of interest that emerged from early discussions and suggestions. It is intended that they should be pilot events, establishing the approach to be followed for the rest of the programme.

The first seminar, on cities and drug abuse, will take place in the Chilean capital, Santiago, and the second, on the conservation of towns' historical fabric, in Vicenza.

There will be a call for expressions of interest for the other six seminars. Proposals will be examined by the Commission, with technical help from the high-level advisory committee.

The secretariat will be recruited by open invitation to tender, starting work as soon as all the requisite procedures have been accomplished. The Commission hopes that it will become operational in the first half of next year.

The programme is chiefly aimed at promoting and organizing topical seminars that will incite city and other local authorities to form networks, establishing a framework conducive to cooperation between all the different players.