WRITTEN QUESTION No. 359/98 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Extension of deadline for tabling proposals regarding the programme for the return of refugees to Bosnia
Date: 1998-02-24
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: Bosnia and Herzegovina, aid programme, aid to refugees, economic reconstruction, non-governmental organisation, refugee, return migration, water supply

C 304/86

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

2. 10. 98

4.
The  contracting  firms  are  responsible  for  payment  and  cover  of  occupational  entitlements  and  social
security contributions of the staff supplied to the Commission. The Commission, the agencies and the staff are
required to comply with national legislation and, in particular, the Law of 24 July 1987 on temporary work and
the supply of staff to clients (published on 20 August 1987 in the Moniteur Belge) and the Law of 19 May 1994
laying down the rules governing temporary work and the temporary loaning of staff (published on 31 May 1994
in the Me·morial du Luxembourg). These two Member States have some of the most comprehensive regulations
on the matter in Europe.

(98/C 304/129)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0359/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(24 February 1998)

Subject: Extension  of  deadline  for  tabling  proposals  regarding  the  programme  for  the  return  of  refugees  to

Bosnia

At the workshop held in Brussels on 23 January 1998 concerning the 1998 programme for the return of refugees
Bosnia Herzigovina, the Commission asked Member States to submit proposals by 19 February 1998.

Since the proposal will include measures for the rebuilding or repaid or homes, local water and power supply
networks,  etc.  together  with  the  relevant  social  and  financial  measures  would  the  Commission  consider
extending  this  deadline  since  a  considerable  amount  of  preparation  and  research  will  be  necessary  if  sound
proposal are to be made in this connection.

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 1998)

The Commission is not investigating the possibility of an extension of the deadline for submission of projects for
its assistance programme in favour of the return of refugees and displaced persons to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The information document of 600 pages forwarded to the participants of the workshop on the above mentioned
programme (held on 23 January 1998 in Brussels) contained material for the preparation of projects as well as
sample projects. More guidance was given in follow-up seminars. For those who already have experience in
reconstruction and return programmes the deadline should not pose a problem.

Given  the  need  to  start  reconstruction  by  the  beginning  of  the  construction  period  in  early  April  1998,  the
Commission  cannot  allow  a  longer  preparation  time.  The  remaining  weeks  until  April  are  needed  for  the
selection  of  the  most  appropriate  projects  and  the  conclusion  of  the  contracts  as  well  as  the  unavoidable
administrative procedures to obtain the approval of Member States (and the Commission) to the programme.

Nevertheless, additional funds for the follow-up to possible political breakthroughs are set aside as requested by
the office of the United Nations high representative.

(98/C 304/130)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0363/98

by Mar(cid:14)·a Sornosa Mart(cid:14)·nez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(24 February 1998)

Subject: The Aguamarga salt-marshes in Alicante

In  a  written  question  to  the  Commission  of  3 December  1997,  I  raised  the  issue  of  the  major  threat  to  the
Aguamarga wetlands in Alicante posed by urban growth, from which these marshes have always suffered.

The Kelme group are currently drawing up plans for building a sports centre, an artificial lake and 500 houses in
the Aguamarga marshlands.