WRITTEN QUESTION P-2245/00

by Ari Vatanen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 June 2000)

Subject: Position of border areas in the management of the TACIS CBC programme

The land border between the EU and Russia represents the world's largest gap in living standards. In its communication Strategic Objectives 2000-2005 the Commission stated that it would pay particular attention to speeding up cooperation with Russia. In his answer to my question (P-1379/00)(1) Commissioner Barnier said that in the implementation of Interreg III, the management of small projects promoting cross-border activities could be directly entrusted to cross-border cooperation initiatives such as Euregios.

There are problems with decision-making in the TACIS CBC programme which hinder its coordination with the Interreg programme in border areas between the EU and Russia. Decisions on the TACIS CBC programme are taken in Brussels and this decision-taking is not programme-based, whereas decisions on Interreg are taken at regional level on a programme basis.

According to the North Karelian Union (Finland) and the Republic of Karelia (Russia), the Commission has not asked the regions, or the Karelia Euregio comprising the regions, for opinions on TACIS CBC projects concerning which the Commission's decision is due to be taken on 28 June and confirmed in July. The Commission also states that opinions have been requested only from the TACIS office in Moscow, the TACIS regional technical offices and the Ministry in Moscow.

In the interest of developing the quality of cooperation in border areas and improving coordination between TACIS and Interreg it would be desirable for the management of TACIS CBC projects as with Interreg to be transferred to regional level, e.g. to the Euregio. At the very least, opinions on proposed TACIS CBC projects should be requested from the Euregio or the recipient region, which (e.g. in the case of the Republic of Karelia) has its own border areas programme.

1. What is the Commission's attitude to the Karelia Euregio's proposal for a pilot scheme whereby the Euregio management committee would take decisions on projects for TACIS CBC as for Interreg on a programme basis at regional level?

2. Does the Commission intend in future to hear the views of the recipient regions (e.g. the Russian Republic of Karelia) on proposed projects as part of decision-making on TACIS CBC projects?

(1) See p. 34.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2000)

On 27 June 2000 the Commission presented, for discussion, to the TACIS management committee a strategy paper on the TACIS CBC programme, outlining its future orientations. This paper will now lead, first, to a full 4-year indicative programme detailing objectives and priorities, and then, to an annual programme with a list of concrete projects to be financed under the budget 2000. Both programmes will be presented to the TACIS committee later this year.

During the preparation of these strategic documents, opinions have been widely sought from a number of partners. TACIS technical offices in St. Petersburg and Petrozavodk have, indeed, been particularly active in channelling ideas coming from the relevant regions.

In addition, all TACIS CBC projects have local authorities and operators as counterparts, ensuring the full involvement of the regions in the whole programme. This applies particularly to the demand-driven Small project facility, promoting grass-root initiatives in the area.

Regarding the pilot scheme proposed by Karelia Euroregio, TACIS procedures do not allow the Commission to transfer the decision-making responsibility to third parties.