WRITTEN QUESTION E-2309/00 by Ari Vatanen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Coordination of the Interreg and TACIS CBC programmes on the border between the EU and Russia.
Date: 2000-07-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU initiative, EU programme, Russia, cooperation policy, coordination of aid, frontier region

C 136 E/16

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

The option to be taxed as a resident taxpayer has to be exercised by both spouses/partners jointly in order
to avoid that couples accumulate allowances in both Member States concerned. If they make the election,
the partner of the non-resident, who may for example be living in Belgium or Germany, will also receive
the tax part of the levy rebate. However, the partner will not be entitled to receive the social security part.

This system does not appear to be in conflict with the free movement principle, since the choice is left to
those concerned to opt for a solution which takes into account their personal situation in a non-
discriminatory way.

(1) OJ L 257, 19.10.1968.

(2001/C 136 E/016)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2280/00

by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 July 2000)

Subject: Repeal of the opium act for the transport of research medicines within EU Member States

The EGASIS research project is currently under way in Europe. This is a clinical trial of the effect of
Diapezam, a medicine administered in the acute phase after a stroke. The aim is to test whether the risk
of poor prognosis (death or serious handicap) can be reduced, measured over three months. This sort of
clinical trial requires large numbers of patients for the research to be carried out. Accordingly, it cannot be
conducted in one country alone, but a number of European countries are asked to take part. In practice,
however it is difficult to convey the research medication to the place of destination. This is because some
medicines (including Diapezam) are covered by the Opium Act which means that a special exemption has
to be obtained per country for importing these medicines. The exemption is valid for only a limited
quantity of medication and for a limited period. This makes the logistics of supplying the participating
European centres extremely difficult.

Is the Commission aware of these problems with the transport of medicines covered by the Opium

1.
Act for clinical trials?

Does the Commission agree that a general exemption from this rule for specific instances,

2.
e.g. a multinational medical research, should be made available?

Reply given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(26 September 2000)

Pharmaceutical law does not exclude control measures, particularly those relating to transport or other
administrative or police measures adopted by Member States, notably for implementing applicable
international agreements for restricting or setting conditions for the transport of medicinal products
which are or could be equated with narcotic substances, or substances capable of causing dependence.

(2001/C 136 E/017)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2309/00

by Ari Vatanen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 July 2000)

Subject: Coordination of the Interreg and TACIS CBC programmes on the border between the EU and

Russia

The land border between the EU and Russia marks the world(cid:146)s largest gap in living standards, which
Commissioner Barnier has been able to see for himself on 29/30 June. There are problems with decision-
making in the TACIS CBC and Interreg programmes which hamper the coordination of EU-Russia border

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/17

cooperation. To enhance the quality of cooperation in border areas and improve coordination between
TACIS and Interreg it would be desirable for the management of Interreg and TACIS CBC projects to be
transferred to regional level, e.g. the Euregio. At the very least regional opinions ought to be requested on
proposed TACIS CBC projects from the Euregio or the recipient area, if decisions are to continue to be
taken in Brussels.

1.
In his cooperation with Mr Patten, the Commissioner responsible for foreign affairs, how has
Commissioner Barnier promoted coordination between the TACIS and Interreg programmes so as to
improve the effectiveness of border cooperation between the EU and Russia?

2. What is the Commission(cid:146)s view on the Karelia Euregio(cid:146)s proposal for a pilot scheme whereby the
management committee of the Euregio would make decisions on projects on a programme basis at
regional level for both the Interreg and TACIS CBC programmes?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(28 September 2000)

The Commission is committed to improving co-ordination between the Interreg Community initiative and
the TACIS CBC programme. Despite the obvious differences between the decentralised, regional approach
of Interreg and the centralised external aid system used to implement TACIS CBC, there is significant scope
for further co-ordination.

At programme level, close co-operation will continue during the preparation of both types of programmes,
thus allowing a harmonisation of the actions to be supported on both sides of the border over the
programming period.

At project level, relevant organisations and authorities, including the Finnish authorities, will be consulted
on project proposals in order to avoid the risk of double funding and to identify opportunities for
complementarity. At the same time, a wider publicity process will be encouraged, in order to ensure that
the different procedures are understood on both sides of the border. In addition, projects supported
through one of the programmes will have a high priority during the selection process for the other
programme.

With regard to the Karelia Euregio(cid:146)s proposal for a pilot scheme for joint decision-making on Interreg and
TACIS CBC, it would appear premature, due to the current nature of TACIS CBC funding. However, the
Commission will continue to monitor the implementation of Interreg and TACIS CBC closely, with a view
to moving towards a decentralised implementation system when possible.

(2001/C 136 E/018)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2313/00

by Maurizio Turco (TDI) to the Commission

(11 July 2000)

Subject: The White Paper (cid:145)Reforming the Commission(cid:146)

With regard to the White Paper (cid:145)Reforming the Commission(cid:146) (COM(2000) 200), in particular Annex 4 to
Part I (Timetable for Action Plan) and the deadlines mentioned in Part II, can the Commission say whether
all the measures scheduled for June 2000 have been carried out, which have yet to be completed and what
the timetable for implementation is?