WRITTEN QUESTION E-1412/03

by Ioannis Marínos (PPE-DE)and Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 April 2003)

Subject: Implementation of Interreg programme in Albania

Representatives of the Greek ethnic minority in southern Albania and Mr Karamelos, a Member of the Albanian Parliament, claimed in a recent press conference at the European Parliament (2 April 2003), that only 30 % of the funding under the Community's Interreg II programme for measures on both sides of the Greek-Albanian border has been utilised, while Interreg III (which was set up for the period 2000-2006) has not yet begun. Consequently, no support has been received from Community sources for projects and initiatives to improve the position of the internationally recognised Greek minority in southern Albania. The Greek minority suffered persecution at the hands of the tyrannical totalitarian regime of Enver Hoxha for decades and still does not enjoy the fundamental democratic rights that are its due, as the EU institutions have repeatedly pointed out. During their visit to Parliament, these same representatives stressed that, twelve years after the collapse of the above regime, no census has been taken of the Greek population of Albania as a whole in accordance with practices in all well-governed European countries.

Are these claims concerning the implementation of Interreg II and III correct? If so, what is the reason for this delay, which is having an impact on the quality of life of thousands of Greeks and Albanians living in southern Albania? How does the Commission intend to exert pressure on Albania to carry out a credible census of the Albanian population, along European lines, in order to determine the size of the Greek and other minorities (gypsies, Roma, Slavs, etc.) living in that country?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(13 June 2003)

Albania as a whole has benefited since 1991 from Community support through PHARE, CARDS and other Community assistance programmes. The largest of these programmes is CARDS. The CARDS programme can be used, among other things, for cross-border projects, supporting expenditure on the Albanian side of the border matching that on the Greek side supported by Interreg. In accordance with the Country Strategy Paper for Albania, the priorities are the environment, integrated border management and local community development.

The Interreg II programme for Greece contained a number of sub-programmes including one for co-operation with Albania. According to information received from the authorities in Greece, 97 of the funds available for this sub-programme were committed and paid, which suggests that implementation has been very satisfactory.

The implementation of the Interreg IIIA programme, Greece-Albania, began in December 2002 and will continue until 2008. The Commission will receive first results concerning progress in the second half of 2003 on the occasion of the next Monitoring Committee meeting.

In the light of the forthcoming negotiation of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union, the Albanian authorities have undertaken to provide the Commission with accurate data on the size of its minorities by the end of 2003 at the latest. Failure by Albania to respect its commitments in this regard would have an adverse impact on the SAA negotiating process. It could also undermine the country's stated ambition to become a Member State of the Union.