EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/258

(2004/C 84 E/0306)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3885/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: Alcatel Italia: possible checks on funding granted by the EU

The multinational firm Alcatel is, as regards turnover, the territory it covers and its number of employees, one of the world's largest producers of public and private telecommunications equipment. In Europe too it is well-represented, with a branch in nearly every EU country. However, in the last few months Alcatel Italia has announced that it wants to close the plants in Italy. The company has used structural funding to step up employment and productivity, but it is not clear whether the funding was used to invest in the EU or whether it was used for investments in ‘emerging’ countries, such as China or other areas outside the Community.

In view of all this, can the Commission say:

1. in how many EU countries Alcatel has obtained funding;

2. what other plants in the EU may be closed down;

3. what instruments can be used to ascertain that the funding granted to Alcatel has actually been used in EU countries, rather than countries outside the EU?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(14 April 2004)

The company Alcatel has participated in research projects funded through the Fifth research Framework Programme (FP5) in several EU countries, as shown below:

FP5 Alcatel: Participation & Contribution by Country

Country Number of participations by Alcatel companies in EU-funded projects EU financial contribution to Alcatel companies in funded projects AT — Austria 3 429 397 BE — Belgium 31 12 942 524 DE — Germany 19 8 236 949 DK — Denmark 1 0 ES — Spain 5 2 023 542 FR — France 53 26 704 207 GR — Greece 1 248 476 IT - Italy 2 850 010 Grand Total 115 51 515 105

In the case of financing from the ERDF, the Commission would draw the Honourable Member's attention to the fact that Structural Funds co-finance multiannual programmes based on growth strategies agreed between the regions eligible under Community regulations, the Member States and the Commission, with the aim of promoting growth and the economic development of these regions. The selection and management of projects falls under the exclusive competence of the national and regional authorities whilst observing Community guidelines and law.

With regard to the checks on funding, this is primarily the responsibility of the Member States, which are required to set up systems to monitor the use of the Funds. However, the Commission also has the power to monitor the Funds under Article 38 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 (1). Furthermore, it is up to the Member States to inform the Commission of a change of location in a productive activity financed by the Funds, given that this change could involve a reduction in Community contributions (Article 30 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999).

Concerning the funding obtained from the Framework Programmes, the provisions of FP5 contracts required that the results of the projects be exploited commercially or used in further research, in accordance with the interests of the Community and in compliance with international agreements concluded with the Community. Although under the Sixth Framework Programme the contract requires contractors to use the results in accordance with their interests, the Community can object to any transfer of ownership or provision of access rights to third parties if such a transfer is not in accordance with the interests of developing the competitiveness of the dynamic, knowledge-based European economy or is inconsistent with ethical principles.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds, OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.