WRITTEN QUESTION E-1886/00 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Discontinuation of the ECIP programme.
Date: 2000-06-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financial instrument, developing countries, financial management, investment aid

C 81 E/104

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.3.2001

The Commission would, however, point out that, at its last meeting, the (cid:145)fresh fruit and vegetables(cid:146)
specialised section of the European Office of the United Nations (ECE/UN) adopted a recommendation to
reduce the minimum weight of avocados of the Hass variety to 100 grams.

The possibility of including provisions on their minimum dry matter content in the marketing standard for
avocados has also been raised during these technical discussions. For the moment, there is no consensus
on this point, which therefore requires further examination. However,
if the Community marketing
standard for avocados were amended in this way, the new provisions would apply equally to avocados
from outside the Community and those grown within the Community.

(1) OJ L 297, 21.11.1996.

(2001/C 81 E/125)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1882/00

by Emilio MenØndez del Valle (PSE) to the Council

(13 June 2000)

Subject: Conflicts in Africa

At its meeting in Brussels on 22 and 23 May 2000 the General Affairs Council rightly stressed the
complexity of the factors involved in the conflict in the Great Lakes region of Africa.

The provisional version of the Council press release mentions political, economic and social factors.

Does the Council not take the view that in considering the factors determining the conflicts which are
tearing Africa apart it should take cultural factors into account?

Reply

(10 October 2000)

The Council(cid:146)s conclusions would not claim to be comprehensive, listing all the factors which contribute to
the conflicts in question. Cultural factors of course also play a role.

(2001/C 81 E/126)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1886/00

by Concepci(cid:243) Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Discontinuation of the ECIP programme

(9 June 2000)

The Commission submitted a proposal for a regulation to Parliament and the Council for the discontinua-
tion of the financial instrument ECIP as of 31 December 1999.

Can the Commission explain why applications submitted before that date have not been considered?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 2000)

While recognising the success of the European Community Investment Partners (ECIP) instrument in recent
its closure has been judged necessary in view of the need to rationalise the system of rules
years,

13.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/105

underpinning various instruments (Al-Invest, Meda-Invest) and the reforms embarked on by the new
Commission to ensure the sound management of Community resources and reduce the risks and
complexity of the programmes financed.

To cover the management and technical assistance costs arising from the closure of existing ECIP
operations, the Commission has proposed that the Council and the Parliament adopt a legal basis in the
form of a regulation. That regulation is intended to confine the budget(cid:146)s use for the financial supervision of
operations specifically covered by contracts concluded before 31 December 1999, technical assistance and
the audits necessary for the closure of the ECIP. This means that no operation has been appraised,
approved or contracted since 31 December 1999. By the same token, projects submitted prior to that date,
but for which no contracts were signed, have had to be abandoned. The Commission has formally notified
the financial institutions and other beneficiaries directly concerned by the decision.

(2001/C 81 E/127)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1900/00

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE), Ioannis Averoff (PPE-DE)
and Ioannis Mar(cid:237)nos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 June 2000)

Subject: Outdated structures in Greek agriculture and distortion of competition: unlawful practices by ATE

and the reimbursement of illegal aid by AGNO

One of the outdated structures in Greek agriculture is the Agricultural Bank of Greece (ATE) which, by
practising an interventionist policy, has created unfair competition, distortions and illegal monopolistic
financial practices in this sector. In its recent decision of 1 March 2000 the Commission requested (1) the
return of 2,5 billion drachmas wrongfully received by AGNO, the dairy cooperative organisation, (2)
information on the take-over of AGNO by ATE, (3) information on the relationship of the Greek state with
ATE and (4) the dossier on partnership arrangements by the ATE.

On this basis, can the Commission say:

1. how it views Greek agricultural structures and government policy in the agricultural sector in the light

of repeated decisions by the Commission on the granting of illegal aid?

2. Does the investigation which led the Commission to take the above decision reveal any abuse by ATE
of its dominant position in the Greek agricultural economy, and what measures should be taken to
ensure that the rules of competition are adhered to and that farmers and businessmen receive equal
treatment?

3. How does the Commission view ATE(cid:146)s take-over of AGNO and ATE(cid:146)s relationship with the Greek
state, and what do ATE and the Greek Government undertake to do in the future in order to comply
with the Community legal order concerning aid and competition?

4. Why did the Commission delay so much in taking this decision and why was the decision not

announced when it was taken in March?

5.

In the decision of 1 March 2000, was account taken of the viability of AGNO and,
measures are envisioned to ensure its survival?

if so, what

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(14 July 2000)

1.
The Commission has no general position on the Greek government policy in the agricultural sector.
In certain cases, the Commission considered that the write-offs of loans to companies, co-operatives and
farmers constituted state aid incompatible with the Treaty rules.