WRITTEN QUESTION E-0227/03

by Roberto Bigliardo (UEN) to the Commission

(3 February 2003)

Subject: Management of European Funds by the region of Basilicata

Can the Commission explain why the regional council of Basilicata, which comes under Objective 1, has used all the funding of ITL 41 billion allocated for the six-year period (1994-1999) for the measures required up to September 1997 in its Regional Operational Programme POR 1994-1999, and has used a further ITL 13 869 370 279 billion granted under the Ministry of Labour Decree of 5 June 2001 to promote the declaration of the black economy for the period 2000-2003, to cover the employment creation measures for the period October 1997 31 December 1997? Why, moreover, is Basilicata indebted, now and for 1998 and 1999, in respect of employment and self-employment schemes, for which those eligible have been given approval, for a further amount of ITL 113 298 590 000 and, to meet these payment commitments for the years 1998 and 1999 which were entered into without financial cover, seems intent on using funds that the EU will be granting it to finance the Regional Operational Programme for the period 2000-2006?

Does the Commission intend to verify and clarify how the region of Basilicata is managing and using funds provided by the European Union, how and with what resources it intends to meet payment commitments so irresponsibly entered into without available funds or avoid a situation in which, in order to meet commitments entered into for the years 1997-1999, it has to draw on the financial resources granted by the European Union for other purposes and for measures of a different kind?

What steps does the Commission intend to take to prevent the cronyism and irresponsible management of funds by the region of Basilicata in recent years from disappointing legitimate expectations arising from support measures officially approved for the period 2000-2006?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-0227/03 and E-0486/03given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2003)

Responsibility for the management of Structural Funds programmes is decentralised to the Member States once the Commission has approved their strategic priorities. The system for funding projects part-financed by these Funds is governed by national legislation on budgetary matters.

As regards finance for projects in 2000-2006, Article 30 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds(1) states that expenditure, including that on projects begun earlier, is eligible from the date of submission of the programme to the Commission. The starting date for the eligibility of expenditure under the Operational Programme for the Basilicata is 5 October 1999.

This means that the fact that the Region of Basilicata could begin operations in 1998 and undertake expenditure after 5 October 1999 does not contradict Community rules on the implementation of the Structural Funds.

The Commission is continuing to monitor and inspect the use made of the Structural Funds and compliance with the rules, particularly those on the use made of contributions, and the dates when expenditure begins and ceases to be eligible.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.