EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/486

(2004/C 88 E/0499)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0097/04

by Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(22 January 2004)

Subject: Saint Lucia environmental aid

Is Saint. Lucia a receiver of EU funds, including funds for a Community-based Nature Heritage Tourism programme? What is the value of the agreement? How exactly is the expenditure accounted for? What environmental value do the programmes have?

Is the Commission aware of the recent assassination of Jane Tipson, co-founder of the Eastern Caribbean Coalition for Environmental Awareness and coordinator of the regional programme in Saint Lucia?

Is the Commission also aware of allegations of widespread corruption and misappropriation of EU funds in Saint Lucia, and allegations that money allocated specifically for environmental projects is not being used accordingly? If so, what measures has the Commission taken to ensure that the funds are used appropriately?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 2004)

As an African, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) state, Saint Lucia is receiving funds from the European Development Fund (EDF) under the Cotonou partnership agreement, as well as from specific budget lines such as the Special Framework of Assistance to traditional Banana growers (SFA). Community aid to St Lucia since 1985 has totalled EUR 98 million, including EUR 58 million from Stabex transfers (Stabex was a scheme under the Lomé Conventions to compensate ACP countries for falls in export earnings from certain primary crops) and EUR 24,2 million in European Investment Bank (EIB) loans and risk capital.

Under Stabex funds, a project for Community-based Heritage Tourism was indeed financed and implemented. Implementation was finished during 2003. The value of the project was EUR 2 million. As a result of this project, a natural park open to the public was established. Furthermore, the project promoted eco-tourism within the private sector.

The implementation followed normal EDF procedures under the Stabex framework; detailed work plans were prepared, on the basis of which funds were advanced. The finalisation report on project implementation, including all the financial data and the accounts, was received by the Delegation on 18 February 2004 and is in the process of being thoroughly analysed. A specific audit for the above mentioned project is foreseen, and is expected to commence in early March 2004. In addition, a detailed and comprehensive audit by independent external auditors for the entire Stabex programmes is currently being undertaken, which should be finished by mid-2004.

The Commission and the Government of Saint Lucia take very seriously any allegations of the misuse of funds. The Government, for its part, is also making exhaustive enquiries into the matter.

Jane Tipson was a member of the Eastern Caribbean Coalition for environmental awareness (ECCEA). This organisation was the beneficiary of a grant funded under the Environment budget line (B7 6200) for a project entitled ‘a regional initiative to promote community based nature tourism, environmental education and conservation of island ecosystems in the Eastern Caribbean’. This project started in April 2000 and ended on 31 December 2003. The project cost was EUR 1,7 million of which the Commission contributed EUR 1,4 million. Within this project, which had a regional scope, some activities took place in Saint Lucia, including some activities related to communication and promotion of eco-tourism and sound environmental management in the Eastern Caribbean.

The Commission deeply regrets the death of Jane Tipson. The suspected murderer has been arrested, and normal judicial procedures are being followed.