WRITTEN QUESTION E-1921/00 by Nicholas Clegg (ELDR) to the Commission. Loans to Turkey.
Date: 2000-06-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community loan, European industrial area, Türkiye, competitiveness, economic consequence, textile industry

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.