WRITTEN QUESTION E-3161/00 by Carlos Ripoll y Martínez de Bedoya (PPE-DE) to the Commission. EU funding.
Date: 2000-10-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Structural Funds, fund (EU), municipality, rural development

C 163 E/46

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2001

Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2000)

The price of heating gas oil is indeed higher in Italy than in the other Member States. This is mainly
because the level of
is significantly higher in Italy than in other
Community countries.

taxation applied to this product

the levels of

taxation applied by the Member States to energy products is
The approximation of
a longstanding Commission objective. The best way to make progress in this direction would be to
establish appropriate minimum levels for the Community and review them at regular intervals. This
approach is at the basis of the proposal for a Council Directive on the taxation of energy products
presented by the Commission in March 1997 (1). The aim of the proposal is to update and improve the
Community legislative framework for the taxation of energy products, namely Council Directive 92/81/
EEC of 19 October 1992 on the harmonisation of the structures of excise duties on mineral oils, (2) and
Council Directive 92/82/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the approximation of the rates of excise duties on
mineral oils (2) (the latter already established minimum levels of taxation for petroleum products, which are
included in the Commission proposal). The proposal has not yet been adopted by the Council: progress
has been very slow, as the Council has to agree unanimously on it.

The Commission intends to pursue its efforts to achieve approximation of the levels of taxation applied to
energy products;

(1) OJ C 139, 6.5.1997.
(2) OJ L 316, 31.10.1992.

(2001/C 163 E/045)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3161/00

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

(10 October 2000)

Subject: EU funding

It is a well-known fact that, in order to gain access to European funding, municipalities must channel their
requests for funding through their regional or central governments, with the result that, when political
leanings differ, EU funding can be very hard to obtain.

The repercussions of this are very serious for many European citizens, who do not have the same
opportunities to improve their quality of life as a result of this politically motivated punishment.

Given the aim of ensuring that all European citizens enjoy equal access to European funding:

1. what programmes are there for municipalities in the EU and their development?

2. what existing EU programmes can municipalities gain access to directly, without having to go through

central or regional government channels?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(12 December 2000)

Municipalities may be considered eligible for Community funding under the various Structural Funds.

6.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 163 E/47

Among the raft of measures part-financed under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the
current 2000-2006 programming period, the urban policy strand (cid:129) and the issue of urban areas in crisis
in particular (cid:129) has become increasingly more important. It should benefit municipalities, as should the
territorial employment pacts which are promoted under various programmes.

A clear trend towards greater local involvement in programme management can be observed during the
present European Social Fund (ESF) programming period across all objectives. Most Member States have
signalled their intention to use the global grant mechanism in order to support better local responsiveness
of programmes. In addition to the programmes under Objectives 1, 2 and 3, the Equal Community
Initiative will operate through development partnerships that will bring together key players, including
local authorities, in a geographical area or sector, pooling their efforts to agree on a common strategy and
work programme to explore new ways of tackling discrimination and inequality in the labour market.

The European Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) funds rural development plans within the frame-
work of the Structural Funds. The municipalities benefit from various types of aid through village renewal
initiatives, the setting up of services essential to the rural economy and environmental protection measures
among others.

In accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general
provisions on the Structural Funds (1), the programme approach is used in all areas covered by ERDF,
ESF and EAGGF assistance. Municipalities cannot therefore have direct access to aid but must submit an
application as part of the national or regional programmes administered by the competent government
bodies. Article 8 of the above Regulation defines the concepts of complementarity and partnership, and
the implementation of assistance is the
recalls that,
responsibility of the Member States at the appropriate territorial
level according to the arrangements
specific to each Member State.

the principle of subsidiarity,

in application of

Municipalities may however have direct access to innovative measures under the ESF. Their eligibility for
support depends on the priority areas covered by Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1784/1999 of the
Council and of the European Parliament of 12 July 1999 on the European Social Fund (2). In May 2000 the
Commission also launched a call for proposals on preparatory measures for a local commitment for
employment. Municipalities may have access to this support through their national and international
associations or networks in order to develop local employment plans. They are also directly eligible for
support for activities involving the identification and exchange of good practices in connection with local
employment issues.

The Commission would also like to point to the existence of the (cid:145)Grants and loans(cid:146) page on the Europa site
which provides a complete inventory of all existing programmes and how they are financed.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.
(2) OJ L 213, 13.8.1999.

(2001/C 163 E/046)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3162/00

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

(10 October 2000)

Subject: European programmes

What European programmes are there for rural and urban areas in mountain regions in Europe for the
period 2000-2006?