WRITTEN QUESTION E-1354/00 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Research on the work of Estanislao Sánchez Calvo.
Date: 2000-05-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU sponsorship, cultural heritage

C 46 E/176

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.2.2001

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 2000)

The company in question carried out a restructuring plan between 1995 and 1997, which was supported
by state aid approved by the Commission in its Decision 97/17/EC of 30 July 1996 (1). The aid to Santana
was approved under certain conditions, such as the provision of an annual monitoring report and the
prohibition of any new restructuring aid. The Commission points out that the restructuring plan on which
the above Commission decision from 1996 was based should have lead to the viability of Santana. It takes
note of the information submitted by the Honourable Member that the losses incurred by Santana in 1999
amount to PTAS 2 986 million.

In 1998, the Commission learned through the press that a credit of PTAS 3 800 million was granted to
Santana Motor by a consortium of five banks, which was accompanied by a public guarantee of the
the Commission asked the Spanish
regional government of Andalusia. Following this information,
authorities for additional information which was provided only in part. Documents such as the company(cid:146)s
medium-term strategic plan made reference to investment aid as well as a capital injection by a public
body. The measure was registered as non-notified aid. In order to be able to assess the public financing
measures, the Commission required further information, which was gradually submitted by the Spanish
authorities.

The Commission is currently examining the measures; it is therefore too early to arrive at any conclusions
regarding the nature of the measures and the compatibility with the Community competition rules or the
need for proceedings under Article 88 (2) (ex-Article 93) of the EC Treaty.

(1) OJ L 6, 10.1.1997.

(2001/C 46 E/205)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1354/00

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Research on the work of Estanislao SÆnchez Calvo

(4 May 2000)

A century after the decease of the eminent philosopher and linguist Estanislao SÆnchez Calvo, a native of
the Asturias region in Spain, his work as a scholar and teacher is still remembered in Central European
intellectual circles, especially in Germany.

In view of the modernity of his thought in relation to the European linguistic tradition as a whole, it
would seem of major interest to promote a study, which should be as wide-ranging and extensive as
possible, of the work of this illustrious citizen of AvilØs, with a view to establishing which of the various
facets of his thought are of relevance to the new linguistic realities generated, in the intellectual context of
the European Union, by the Union(cid:146)s very existence.

Can the Commission state whether, if it endorses the interest of a detailed study of the linguistic and
philosophical influence of this Asturian intellectual on the European dimension of contemporary thought,
it would be willing to promote such a study with its support and cooperation?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(14 June 2000)

The Commission can support cultural initiatives through patronage, which consists of moral rather than
financial support, and through grants.

Commission patronage may be granted for an event that meets the criteria set by the Commission. It must
be a European event dealing with a subject closely connected with Community priorities. It must not place
the Commission under any financial obligation. It must be for a single specific event. It may not be for

13.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 46 E/177

commercial purposes. It should not offend Member States. It may not as a rule be a publication. Requests
should be addressed to a member of the Commission, through Commission offices or delegations.

Alternatively, the initiative may qualify for a grant under a Community programme. In order to do so, an
application would have to be submitted in response to a call for proposals published in the Official journal
and the initiative would have to meet the selection and award criteria set out therein. The Culture 2000
programme (Decision No 508/2000/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 14 February 2000 (1)) is
the principal instrument for Community funding in the cultural field.

(1) OJ L 63, 10.3.2000.

(2001/C 46 E/206)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1364/00

by Marielle De Sarnez (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: Lifelong training

Given that continuing training and access to new technologies have been declared a priority so as to
enable every citizen to work in the (cid:145)information and knowledge society(cid:146), does the Commission intend to
introduce a Community programme to promote lifelong training?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 2000)

Lifelong learning is already being promoted through a number of Community programmes and actions.
Following the European Year of Lifelong Learning in 1996, lifelong learning has become a more articulated
aspect in the new phase of the Community programmes for education (Socrates), vocational training
(Leonardo da Vinci) and youth policy (Youth).

in order to provide digital

The Commission is currently preparing two new initiatives directly linked to lifelong learning, namely a
literacy and wide access to learning for all
communication on (cid:145)e-learning(cid:146)
citizens, and a communication on (cid:145)Lifelong learning for active citizenship in a Europe of Knowledge(cid:146). The
latter aims to provide impetus to the European process for implementing lifelong learning, particularly
following the Lisbon conclusions, to summarise achievements made in developing lifelong learning at
Member States and Community level to develop a conceptual framework identifying challenges and points
for action and to propose recommendations for action in terms of objectives, benchmarks or guidelines
underpinned by indicators and information.

In addition lifelong learning is funded by the European Social Fund, objective 3. Innovative approaches to
lifelong learning are also funded under the Community initiative EQUAL. Lifelong learning is also being
promoted through the European employment guidelines (the Luxembourg process) according to which the
Member States, in partnership with the social partners, will develop lifelong learning based on a broad
definition and followed up by concrete targets.

Promoting lifelong learning is also considered through the 3rd, 4th and 5th framework programme
research programmes, notably under the DELTA Research and technological development (RTD) pro-
gramme on learning technologies, the telematics applications for education and training and within the
Information society technologies (IST) programme area addressing education and training applications. The