WRITTEN QUESTION E-2598/96 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) and Karla Peijs (PPE) to the Commission (11 October 1996)

Subject: ESF funding

Can the Commission confirm that the Netherlands did not submit its programme for regional development in less-favoured regions in time and that it has asked the Commission for an extension?

Is the Commission aware that this postponement bears no relation to the excellent quality of the programmes but has been caused chiefly by discord in the Netherlands government as regards which ministry should take responsibility for the co-financing?

Is the Commission aware that because of the unwillingness/inability of the Netherlands Ministry for Economic Affairs concerning the co-financing of projects for the development of small and medium-sized businesses these projects have had to be replaced by projects for the long-term unemployed so that the Netherlands Ministry for Social Affairs, which does have enough funds, can act as co-financier?

Does the Commission know that the six regions concerned have sent a letter of protest on this subject to the Netherlands Government since, as a result of the internal conflict in the Netherlands government the balance in the regional programmes between economic and social policy has been completely destroyed?

Does the Commission have the experience that in the regions there are more high-quality ERDF projects than comparable projects involving ESF funding?

Is the Commission willing to support the six Netherlands regions in their protest and to ask the Netherlands Government to adjust its budget (for example by transferring funds from the Ministry of Social Affairs to the Ministry for Economic Affairs) such that the programmes concerned can be operated normally?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (14 November 1996)

The Commission can confirm that the Dutch authorities requested an extension of the deadline for presenting their proposals for objective 2 programmes for the programming period 1997-1999. This request was accepted by the Commission. The Dutch proposals for the programmes were presented on 23 September 1996 and are being examined by the Commission.

The Commission communicated to the Member States on 30 April 1996 the guidelines for operations in the declining industrial areas (objective 2) for the period 1997-1999. The priorities include special attention for job creation, research and technology, innovation and a labour force qualified in future technology, environment and sustainable development and equal opportunities. The proposals presented by the Member States will be assessed on the basis of these guidelines and discussed with the national authorities in line with the partnership rules.

The Commission is aware of certain differences of opinion between the Dutch national administration and the regions concerned and has received copies of the letters sent by the regions to the government. The State secretary for regional policy has explained the situation to the Commission and has stressed the importance of job creation to his government.

The Commission cannot confirm any difference of quality between the European regional development fund and the European social fund projects in preparation in the Dutch objective 2 regions.