WRITTEN QUESTION E-1436/99 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Spanish Government plan to draw up and adopt a geographical mobility plan.
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cohesion Fund, Spain, Structural Funds, economic and social cohesion, geographical mobility, government policy, labour mobility, unemployment

20.6.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 170 E/13

Furthermore, the statement issued on 20 April 1998 by the Defence Ministers of France, Germany, Italy
and Spain, in which they reaffirmed their commitment to speeding up the consolidation of the European
defence industry, was followed by a Letter of Intent signed in July 1998 by the Defence Ministers of the
above countries, together with Sweden and the United Kingdom.

In the statement made at the Cologne European Council in June of this year (on which occasion a genuine
European pillar seemed to have been established) the political will to promote the restructuring of the
defence industry was expressed.

In view of the above, can the Commission say how all of this may affect Spanish companies in the miliary
sector (with particular reference to the potential for setting up transnational defence companies) and
specifically the BazÆn company and its factory at Ferrol (Galicia)?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(13 October 1999)

The Commission feels that the Community must have a defence-linked industry that is both competitive
and dynamic. In two communications (1) (2), specifically devoted to that subject it insisted on the urgent
need for restructuring this sector at European level and on the need in parallel to this, to lay the legal
foundations, enabling a European defence market to emerge.

Although the responsibility for that restructuring lies primarily with the companies involved themselves,
the defence industry will continue to be politically sensitive. Governmental
involvement is crucial as
regards that restructuring, and the Member States must take any action needed in order to encourage and
support the creation of truly European companies. Even where a Member State has no direct shareholding
that State(cid:146)s influence derives from its position as a major customer, from its financial support for research
and development (R&D), from its launch aid for programmes, its authority in controlling exports and its
powers of certification.

In view of the aims set out in the letter of intent signed in June 1998 and of the declarations made at the
Cologne European Council in June 1999 the Member States would now seem to want to concentrate on
producing an internal market and to give companies more latitude in forging their alliances. The
Commission fully subscribes to that general approach, which it has called for in its communications.

Moreover, as regards the changes hoped for by the companies themselves in the form of more cross-
border alliances, the Commission can, in principle, only welcome these. This being so, it is in the specific
case of the BazÆn company, up to that company itself to map out its own strategy as regards industrial
alliances, where appropriate in conjunction with the Spanish Government.

The common position put forward by the Commission in its 1997 communication (1).
discussed within the Council.
Commission in line with its action plan in support of the defence industries (2).

is still being
Its adoption would bolster the action currently being taken by the

(1) COM(97) 583 final.
(2) COM(96) 10 final.

(2000/C 170 E/013)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1436/99

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Spanish Government plan to draw up and adopt a (cid:145)geographical mobility plan(cid:146)

On 1 June 1999 the Spanish Government announced that
intended to draw up and adopt a
(cid:145)geographical mobility plan(cid:146) with the aim of transferring labour towards the Mediterranean on the pretext

it

C 170 E/14

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2000

that there were more job vacancies in this area. Were this plan to go ahead, it would entail massive
investment in housing, transport, education, health and even as regards taxation and social security, since
unemployed persons from other parts of Spain would have to be transferred to this region.

This Spanish Government policy would be tantamount to consolidating and even increasing existing
regional
(cid:145)deficit(cid:146) of the
Atlantic regions of Spain in terms of infrastructure and development, which is reflected by a very high
unemployment rate (17 % of the labour force in Galicia).

imbalances with the help of public funds,

instead of addressing the historical

If the Spanish Government submitted an application of this kind to the Commission, could it authorise the
former to use Structural and Cohesion Fund resources to pursue a policy which is clearly at odds with the
objective of economic and social cohesion?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(11 October 1999)

The Commission is not aware of the (cid:145)geographical mobility Plan(cid:146) to which the Honourable Member refers
and which, based on the information provided, is only a Government statement of intent at this stage.
Without the text of the plan or at least some detailed information on its purpose and implementation, the
Commission cannot say whether it might attract assistance from the Structural Funds.

Under the terms of Council Regulation (EC) 1164/94 of 16 May 1994 establishing a Cohesion Fund (1), the
Fund exclusively assists investment in transport infrastructure and environmental protection. The Cohesion
Fund does not therefore assist the sectors mentioned by the Honourable Member.

(1) OJ L 130, 25.5.1994.

(2000/C 170 E/014)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1437/99

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Telecommunications, audiovisual service and data-processing projects in Galicia

From a regional policy angle, it is vital that Galicia be fully integrated in the trans-European transport,
telecommunications and energy networks. As a beneficiary of Structural Fund Objective 1 funding, Galicia
has managed to secure substantive aid for this purpose.

Will the Commission say which projects and programmes have been funded in Galicia under the Structural
Funds and the Cohesion Fund during 1994-1999 in the fields of telecommunications, audiovisual services
and data-processing (including development and integration in band networks and service industries and
social applications such as health and education)?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(11 October 1999)

The list of telecommunications, audio-visual and information technology projects part-funded by the
European Regional Development Fund in Galicia up to the end of March 1999 is being sent direct to the
Honourable Member and to Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.

It should be noted that some service industries are included in the main priority (cid:145)support for productive
activity(cid:146). In addition, some projects now included under vocational training were transferred from the
education sector in order to produce a better general overview.