WRITTEN QUESTION E-2744/99

by Emilia Müller (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 January 2000)

Subject: PHARE and Interreg II funds for the Czech Republic

How have the funds from the PHARE and Interreg II Programmes been used for the benefit of the environment in the Czech Republic?

What projects were supported, and what amount of aid was allocated thereto?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(25 February 2000)

PHARE support in the area of the environment in the Czech Republic has been delivered through national programmes. In 1990-1991 there were projects to improve understanding of the environment and focus on immediate quality needs in the air, water, waste, energy and health sectors ( 21 million). In 1996 an environment project loan facility supported small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) environmental protection projects ( 5 million). In 1997 there was support to strengthen environmental management capacity in regulatory bodies ( 2 million). In 1998 there was support to strengthen the institutional and regulatory capacity in the environment sector as well as implementation and investment strategies for Community air and waste directives ( 1,15 million). In 1999 there was support for harmonisation of Czech environment legislation in the field of water protection ( 1 million).

Support was also delivered through cross-border cooperation (CBC) programmes. CBC with Austria between 1995 and 1998 financed 15 projects with emphasis on improvement of water quality ( 11 million). The 1999 programme includes a waste water treatment plant improvement project in the border region ( 3,55 million). Environmental improvement projects are also eligible for finance from the joint small projects fund (up to 300 000) under this programme. CBC with Germany between 1994 and 1997 supported improvement of the municipal infrastructure, in particular the introduction of natural gas, with 14 million being allocated for 13 projects. The 1998 programme supports a reforestation fund ( 2,5 million), whilst in 1999 support is given for introduction of gas in the Nisa border region ( 3,1 million), an air pollution reduction fund ( 0,45 million), projects for improvements to sewerage systems and waste water plants ( 5,94 million) as well as a joint small projects fund. CBC programmes were also established in 1999 with Poland and Slovakia. Both contain joint small projects funds, for which environmental projects are eligible. The Slovakia programme also contains an allocation of 1,75 million for a border area waste water treatment plant.

An allocation was made from the large-scale infrastructure facility 1999 of 14,2 million for the Brno municipal water project. A further allocation of 2,2 million was made for the preparation of a portfolio of projects to be financed from the instrument for structural policies for pre-accession (ISPA) from 2000 onwards.

The Czech Republic is not eligible for support for Interreg II, as this Community initiative only finances expenditure incurred within Member States. Measures funded under this initiative are however closely co-ordinated with PHARE activities. An indirect benefit is therefore derived by the Czech Republic, e.g. through a reduction in pollution levels in its rivers, forests or air, through action taken under Interreg II on the German or Austrian side of the border.

Finally the Czech Republic has benefited from various multi country programmes in the area of the environment, in particular the Black Triangle projects which focused mainly on small demonstration projects aimed at improving the quality of the environment in the Czech and Polish part of the Black Triangle.