WRITTEN QUESTION E-1911/00 by Christine De Veyrac (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Grants for exchanges.
Date: 2000-06-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU office or agency, youth exchange scheme

C 72 E/148

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.3.2001

Two letters were sent to the complainant, namely on 3 September 1999 and 5 October 1999, in order to
tackle this first issue. The complainant replied to the first letter on 23 September 1999. The information
included in this reply did not bring forward any new elements that would permit further analysis.
Therefore, a second letter was addressed to the complainant, asking for further information about the
contract value of the works in question and in particular the method used to arrive at any contract
valuation.

The complainant sent two replies to the above mentioned second letter. The first reply, dated 29 October
1999, basically consisted of a repetition of the information that had been originally sent. The second reply,
dated 7 February 2000, includes new information which is currently under analysis. It would appear from
the documents contained in this second reply that a service concession, as that concept is clarified and
defined in the Commission interpretative communication on concessions (2) may be involved.

As regards the question concerning the evidence required to examine the alleged infringements, the
Commission needs substantiated information showing that an infringement of the public procurement
rules has taken place. Otherwise,
information would be needed in order to have sufficient
foundation to address specific issues to the Member State.

factual

Finally, with respect to current actions for failure to properly advertise contracts, there are currently about
228 public procurement infringement cases open, including some involving failure to advertise in the
Official journal.

If, as a result of the analysis of the documentation,
Community law, the Commission will adopt the necessary measures.

it appears there has been an infringement of

(1) OJ L 199, 9.8.1993.
(2) OJ C 121, 29.4.2000.

(2001/C 72 E/185)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1911/00

by Christine De Veyrac (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 June 2000)

Subject: Grants for exchanges

I receive numerous letters complaining at the meagreness of the grants allocated under the Erasmus section
of the Socrates programme.
In order to remedy this problem, could the Commission consider the
possibility of setting up, for example, a European Foundation by means of a public-private partnership,
with a view to encouraging young people(cid:146)s mobility in the European Union?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(25 July 2000)

Every year the demand for student mobility under Erasmus rises sharply, while the budget available for
mobility grants increases only slightly. The Commission is aware of the repercussions of this imbalance in
terms of the level of Erasmus grants and the frustration this can cause. Together with the various interested
parties (Socrates/Erasmus national agencies, representatives of the academic world, student associations), it
is looking for possible solutions to the problem.

The Honourable Member(cid:146)s attention is drawn to the fact that the purpose of Erasmus grants is not to cover
all the costs incurred by students during the period spent abroad, but to help offset the additional costs
resulting from their being abroad. Financial assistance from sources other than the Community budget is
therefore essential, and many countries participating in the Erasmus mobility scheme offer students
additional (national, regional or private) funding. This is clear from the survey on the socio-economic
background of Erasmus students, the results of which were forwarded to Parliament on 18 January 2000 (1)
and are currently being examined by the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport.

6.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 72 E/149

In its recommendation No 20, the survey emphasises the need to explore other sources of funding for
student mobility, including alternative sources of direct or indirect support, such as reduced-price travel
tickets, fund raising from industry, business and local government, and the establishing of a system of
student loans at national or European level in order to cover the extra costs of mobility. A feasibility study
on the latter point has recently been launched.

(1) Report from the Commission: Survey into the socio-economic background of Erasmus students, COM(2000) 4 final.

(2001/C 72 E/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1921/00

by Nicholas Clegg (ELDR) to the Commission

(16 June 2000)

Subject: Loans to Turkey

Can the Commission confirm whether EU loans have been extended to Turkey which include the
acquisition of textiles manufacturing machinery?

What effect does the Commission consider that such loans will have on the competitivity of the EU textiles
industry?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(7 July 2000)

The Commission is not aware of the Community having made any loans to Turkey for the purpose of
acquiring textiles manufacturing machinery. However,
in 1997 the Commission did take a financing
decision in support of two cooperation projects in the textile and clothing sector. Before taking the final
decision, the Commission presented these projects to Parliament, which issued a favourable opinion. The
two projects are described below.

the Turkish SME development

(implementing authority: Kosgeb,

The first project relates to the compliance of materials used in the textile sector with environmental
standards
cost:
€ 2,13 million; Community contribution: € 1 million). The project(cid:146)s aim is to ensure that the materials
used in the textile industry comply with environmental standards, and to help Turkey develop its own
capacity in this field. This aim will be achieved by setting up a laboratory, accredited in accordance with
standard EN 45001, to serve all SMEs in the textile sector and certify the materials they use according
to these environmental standards. The laboratory will be equipped with two work-stations and will
be located within TUBITAK(cid:146)s (Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey) Marmara Research
Centre. The laboratory will also provide the opportunity for research to be carried out, under Tubitak(cid:146)s
guidance, into environmentally-friendly products and clean technologies.

agency;

total

The second project concerns vocational training in the clothing sector (implementing authority: KOSGEB,
the Turkish SME development agency; total cost: € 2,44 million; Community contribution: € 1,49 million).
The project consists in a programme of training in working techniques for the clothing sector (use of
sewing machines, cutting, repairs, supervision, management, etc.).
It is aimed at young people, and
especially young women in the industry who wish to improve their skills.

These decisions were made following the entry into force of the customs union agreement, and their aim is
to help Turkish SMEs cope with the new competitive situation created by this agreement.