WRITTEN QUESTION E-0533/00 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Falcone programme (1997-2001).
Date: 2000-02-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing arrangements, EU programme, aid recipient, organised crime, use of aid

28.12.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 374 E/99

decision, and it has yet to be established whether the matter has had a significant effect on trade between
Member States, the Commission did not consider it appropriate to intervene in the case in question.

(1) OJ L 135, 31.5.1994.
(2) COM(1999) 232 final.
(3) OJ C 280 E, 3.10.2000, p. 120.

(2000/C 374 E/114)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0533/00

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 February 2000)

Subject: Falcone programme (1997-2001)

Could the Commission list the regional and/or national administrative authorities and public or private
bodies to which sums or contributions have been allocated, stating the amount involved and whether or
not payments have already been made, for each of the various actions included in the Falcone programme
(1997-2001) (which has a budget of ECU 10 million, or approximately ITL 19 billion) in Italy and in the
other Member States?

Has any action been taken to check that the funds were used for their intended purpose and the projects
successfully implemented?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(14 April 2000)

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member(cid:146)s attention to the general background against which
the implementation of the Falcone programme,
like all other Justice and home affairs programmes, is
evaluated. Projects are selected in two stages, first by professionals and then by representatives of the
Member States meeting within the Falcone committee. The aim is to encourage cooperation between
professionals from a large number of Member States (and non-member countries) on a multidisciplinary
basis. Emphasis is put on training measures, joint projects and studies on themes linked to combating and
preventing organised crime. The approach taken is not to consider the beneficiary and his national origin
but to support projects which create synergy between Member States. The selection criteria and priority
themes are described in detail in the annual Falcone programme published in the Official Journal (1).

The Commission publishes a report each year giving the breakdown of projects by type of beneficiary and
type of measure. In addition to the priorities by type of project set out in the annual programme, the
Commission endeavours to encourage cooperation between both national authorities and regional
authorities or non-state organisations (universities, associations). The breakdown for 1998 was: 51,3 %
for national authorities, 11,3 % for regional authorities and 37,4 % for non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) and a number of research institutes. The corresponding figures for 1999 are 59,7 %, 18,3 % and
22 %.

Number of projects

National authorities

Regional authorities

1998: 35

1999: 38

18

22

6

8

Financing

National authorities

Regional authorities

1998: € 2 252 644

1999: € 1 959 960

1 156 064

1 171 306

255 458

357 974

NGOs,
including universities

11

8

NGOs,
including universities

841 122

430 680

C 374 E/100

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

28.12.2000

The Commission has drawn up a list of projects cofinanced in 1998 and 1999, broken down by the three
types of beneficiary, which will be sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.
The Commission would recall that a report on the implementation of all the programmes in 1998 has
been sent to Parliament (2).

With regard to the monitoring of the implementation and financing of projects, the fact that payments are
made in instalments enables the Commission to ensure that the various stages of the projects are carried
out properly. The last instalment is conditional on the beneficiary producing a report on implementation.

The Commission participates as far as possible in the projects, which enables it to make sure on the spot
that implementation of the projects matches the award criteria and decisions. The Commission found that
the beneficiaries were highly motivated, with the result that targets were met and cooperation often went
far beyond the projects financed. Moreover, independent experts are currently evaluating all programmes,
and this will make it possible to assess the results of the projects already completed under the Falcone
programme since it came into operation at the end of 1998.

(1) OJ C 355, 8.12.1999.
(2) SEC(1999) 1955.

(2000/C 374 E/115)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0540/00

by Marialiese Flemming (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 February 2000)

Subject: WTO (cid:129) agriculture, environment

As the negotiations on a comprehensive WTO Round in Seattle were unsuccessful, it is certain that the
issues on the (cid:145)built-in agenda(cid:146) (cid:129) agriculture and services (cid:129) will at least be discussed. On the other hand,
there is uncertainty about how the negotiations on a new WTO Round will continue.

Does the comprehensive approach adopted by the Commission in Seattle retain its validity for the new
WTO Round?

How does the Commission intend to meet the need for the issue of the environment to be included in the
new WTO Round?

What steps will the Commission initiate with a view to involving NGOs in the WTO context?

Will the Commission forward to the European Parliament all information relating to the negotiations?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(20 March 2000)

As the Honourable Member is aware, the Community(cid:146)s approach with regard to a new World trade
organization (WTO) Round was reconfirmed, both by the Council and by the Parliament in its resolution
of 15 December 1999. The overall approach with regard to a new Round therefore remains valid.

This includes the need to make sure that the WTO is responsive to legitimate trade-related concerns, such
as in the area of environment. Although this is still a controversial issue, the Commission is convinced that
the basic objectives remain valid. It is currently reflecting on how to take this particular theme forward in
its continued efforts to launch the New Round, for instance through intensified efforts to explain more
clearly the objectives, to engage in a confidence-building exercise to alleviate concerns of some trade
partners, particularly developing countries, and to evaluate the means to achieve these basic WTO
objectives.