WRITTEN QUESTION E-1709/99 by Hervé Novelli (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Inconsistency between European regional policy and the French authorities' decisions.
Date: 1999-09-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU regional policy, European Regional Development Fund, France

C 219 E/18

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

1.8.2000

(2000/C 219 E/024)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1709/99

by HervØ Novelli (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 September 1999)

Subject: Inconsistency between European regional policy and the French authorities(cid:146) decisions

The department of Indre-et-Loire is currently under consideration as regards the new zones for application
of the reform of European regional policy. The commune of Nou(cid:226)tre in the canton of Sainte-Maure, which
used to be eligible under ERDF Objective 5(b), could now come under Objective 2.

However, at the same time, the French authorities have decided to close a large part of the Nou(cid:226)tre
military base, which employs about 400 people, including 250 civilians, which will be a severe blow to the
local economy. For instance, the Nou(cid:226)tre secondary school, which takes the children of employees at the
base, may be threatened with closure in the fairly near future.

1.
Does not the Commission think that there is an unacceptable contradiction between its regional
policy objectives in Indre-et-Loire and the French authorities(cid:146) decision, taken without any consultation,
concerning a commune in the same department?

Does not the Commission think that it should intervene with the French Government to resolve this

2.
inconsistency?

3. More generally, does the Commission know of other, similar cases and what measures will it take to
prevent contradictions of this kind in the future?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(17 November 1999)

It is not up to the Commission to intervene in the decisions of the French authorities concerning the
location of military bases or, more generally, to express views about the restructuring of the defence
sector.

According to Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on
the Structural Funds (1), Objective 2 of the Funds is to support the economic and social conversion of areas
facing structural difficulties. Article 4 of the Regulation goes on to stipulate that Community assistance
under this Objective (cid:145)may extend to areas (cid:133) facing or threatened by serious structural problems on
account of relevant, verifiable characteristics, or a high level of unemployment arising from an ongoing or
industrial or service sector(cid:146). This
planned restructuring of one or more activities in the agricultural,
determining activity can be a military base, the closure of which would have a substantial negative impact
on the area in terms of jobs.

Envisaging eligibility for Objective 2 for this type of area does not therefore run counter to the terms of
the Regulation. It is, however, up to the national authorities to propose to the Commission the areas
which they wish to benefit from Objective 2. The Commission, acting in close co-operation with the
Member State, will then draw up the list of the areas eligible for this Objective for the period 2000-2006
and will ensure that these areas are the ones most affected by problems of socio-economic restructuring.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2000/C 219 E/025)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1712/99

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 September 1999)

Subject: Rules on egg collection

In northern Sweden, the distances between producers and the central depot where the eggs are quality-
controlled and packed are extreme. Before accession to the EU, the eggs were collected once a week and