WRITTEN QUESTION No. 230/99 by Doeke EISMA Funding for the Network of Urban Forums for Sustainable Development
Date: 1999-02-12
Institutions: EISMA, European Parliament
Subjects: EU financing, information network, interinstitutional relations, management techniques, sustainable development, urban area, urbanisation

12.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 325/93

(1999/C 325/122)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0230/99

by Doeke Eisma (ELDR) to the Commission

(12 February 1999)

Subject: Funding for the Network of Urban Forums for Sustainable Development

The Network of Urban Forums for Sustainable Development was set up in response to the EC Green Paper on
the Urban Environment (COM(90) 218) and the 5th Action Programme Related to the Environment and
Sustainable Development: ‘Towards sustainability’ (COM(92) 23). Normally, the secretariat function would
have been executed under a technical assistance contract with DG X; however such a contract was never
finalised. In the absence of a secretariat, the International Institute for the Urban Environment performed the
secretariat function.

1.

Is DG X supportive of the work of the Network of Urban Forums for Sustainable Development?

How is it possible that the requisite coordination work for the network activities has been carried out on

2.
an unpaid basis since 1995?

How is it possible that the body carrying out the coordination activities never received an answer to its

3.
request for payment?

4. Why was a contract not concluded with the coordinating body for their work, despite an oral
commitment from DG X?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(30 March 1999)

1.
The Commission does appreciate the work of the network of urban forums for sustainable development.
It is an experimental network with 19 members. In 1999 the Commission will evaluate the network with a
view to taking the necessary decisions on its future.

2.
The work of the of urban forums network is coordinated by the Commission, more particularly by the
Information Relays Unit in DG X as in the case of the rural carrefours network (110 members) and the Europe
Info-Points (85 members).

3.
The International Institute for Urban Development in Delft submitted a financial proposal with regard to
the management of the network to the Information Relays Unit in DG X. The proposal was not taken into
consideration because the activities in question must be managed directly by the Commission. The Institute
was informed orally of the situation. A written answer was not prepared at the time because oral exchanges
with the Institute, like all the relays, were very frequent.

At no point did DG X give an oral undertaking to the Institute with regard to the management of the

4.
network for the reason given at 3 above.

(1999/C 325/123)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0231/99

by Ana Miranda de Lage (PSE) to the Commission

(12 February 1999)

Subject: Increase in tariffs on certain European exports to the United States

As a result of the disagreement between the United States and the European Union caused by differences of
opinion over the banana trade, a series of European products have been subject to tariffs of 100 %.

Will the Commission say how it intends to tackle this latest crisis? What measures will it take to protect
European exports to the United States’ market?

In view of the export difficulties facing some of the sectors and products concerned, caused also by the crisis in
Russia, what steps will the Commission take to prevent the unemployment likely to arise as a result of reduced
production?