WRITTEN QUESTION E-1924/00 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Enlargement and decentralisation.
Date: 2000-06-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: accession to the European Union, decentralisation, regionalisation

C 72 E/150

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.3.2001

(2001/C 72 E/187)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1924/00

by Gorka Kn(cid:246)rr Borr(cid:224)s (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Enlargement and decentralisation

(16 June 2000)

In a recent appearance before the European Parliament, Commissioner G(cid:252)nter Verheugen asserted that it
was absolutely essential for the countries applying for EU membership to undertake decentralisation and
regionalisation.

Why are decentralisation and regionalisation so crucial? Will the Commission say what progress the
applicant countries have made towards decentralisation?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(30 June 2000)

The concepts of decentralisation and regionalisation cover a wide range of constitutional realities in the
Member States and in the candidate countries. The acquis in this respect is covered in the negotiation
chapter dealing with regional policy and the coordination of the structural instruments. The underlying
principles include subsidiarity, partnership and effectiveness.

The application of
to regional policy and the structural
instruments requires that the implementation of assistance shall be the responsibility of the Member
State, at the appropriate territorial level according to the arrangements specific to each Member State.

the principle of subsidiarity with respect

The principle of partnership refers to close consultation between the Commission and the Member State,
together with the authorities and bodies designated by the Member State within the framework of its
national rules and current practices, namely: the regional and local authorities and other competent public
authorities; the economic and social partners, and any other relevant bodies within this framework
(e.g. with responsibility for the environment and for the promotion of equality between women and
men). Partnership shall cover the preparation, financing, monitoring and evaluation of assistance.

In order to ensure the respect of the principle of effectiveness in the context of regional policy and the
structural instruments, the attention of the candidate countries has been drawn in the relevant negotiation
chapter to the importance of having a working capacity at NUTs II (1) level for the implementation of
objective 1 programmes.

Candidates have been invited to establish as soon as possible with the Commission (Eurostat) a provisional
NUTs classification which reflects the administrative structure and socio-economic statistics available.

(1) NUTs II: nomenclature of the territorial statistical units of the Community.

(2001/C 72 E/188)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1925/00

by Carlos Ripoll y Mart(cid:237)nez de Bedoya (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Recommendation for a gas pipeline for the Balearic Islands

(16 June 2000)

In her comments to the Ultima Hora daily newspaper on 24 May 2000, a minister in the Government of
the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands stated that the European Union had recommended to
the Government of the Balearic Islands that it opt for the gas pipeline as the most environmentally friendly
means of supplying gas to the islands.

Has the European Union indeed recommended that the Government of the Balearic Islands use the

1.
gas pipeline to supply the islands with gas?

2. Which individuals or body have made the said recommendation?