WRITTEN QUESTION E-4093/00 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Classifying rural tourism facilities by category and quality.
Date: 2001-01-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EAGGF, rural development, rural tourism, tourism policy

21.8.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 235 E/65

programmes. They provide detailed information and assistance on the RTD programmes and on applying
for funding and, among other tasks, will help with finding other research partners.

The programme on promotion of innovation and encouragement of small and medium sized enterprises
(SME) participation has also put in place a number of initiatives designed to assist companies (particularly
small companies) and other researchers to benefit from Community research funding and to promote the
uptake of technologies. Such measures include economic and technical intelligence for small companies,
measures for technology transfer and exploiting research results, such as the Innovation Relay Centres and
an intellectual property help-desk, and an information and assistance service to facilitate access to sources
of private financing. The Innovation Help Desk of the Commission provides further information regarding
the participation in the innovation programme and there are dedicated help desks for each individual
specific programme.

Innovation Help Desk, e-mail: innovation@cec.eu.int.

Furthermore, when proposals for new projects are invited, open information days are organised in the
main European cities in order to help potential proposers. Workshops and publications are foreseen to
that help to stimulate
disseminate good practices (that have been identified in successful projects)
innovation and enterpreneurship.

(2001/C 235 E/070)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4093/00

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 January 2001)

Subject: Classifying rural tourism facilities by category and quality

Rural tourism is a growth sector. In some EU countries, holiday-making has gradually switched from
hotels in traditional beach and city resorts to the countryside, with its opportunities for activities such as
walking, open-air living in direct contact with nature or relaxing by a warm fireside.

The development of rural tourism has brought to light needs which must be met if this form of tourism,
which is a new dimension within the sector as a whole and which brings such benefits to the rural
economy, is to be protected and promoted.

Could the Commission offer support and assistance in order to enable the rural tourism sector to provide
services for holiday makers such as promotion and information campaigns, the classification of establish-
ments according to their standard and the range of services they offer, and recommendations to help
novices find their way around such a new sector as rural tourism?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 February 2001)

Environment-friendly rural tourism is one way of diversifying activity in rural areas and it can also help to
restore their vitality.

The tenth indent of Article 33 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for
rural development from the European Guidance and Guarantee Fund (1) provides for the part-financing of
measures to encourage tourist activities.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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21.8.2001

Depending on the Community region concerned, these measures may be included in rural development
plans, operational programmes or single programming documents. It is also possible to fund measures of
this kind in the programmes submitted under the Leader+ Community Initiative.

It is for the Member States to decide on the projects they wish to have part-financed, bearing in mind the
rules on eligibility applying to operations financed by the Structural Funds.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2001/C 235 E/071)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4095/00

by FodØ Sylla (GUE/NGL), Jean-Louis Bourlanges (PPE-DE),
GØrard Onesta (Verts/ALE) and Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(10 January 2001)

Subject: Towards recognition of a (cid:145)right to energy(cid:146)

Access to energy is seen as a legitimate aspiration by all human beings.

Access to energy often represents the gateway to education, health and long life, and energy has become as
vital as air or water.

The EU has essential responsibilities in this connection, as it lays down the legal rules governing the
internal market in goods and services, including energy, and promotes solidarity and development through
the structural funds. It plays a role at the international
level, as embodied in the major development
programmes MEDA, PHARE and TACIS and in negotiations with ACP countries and EU representation in
trade and environmental negotiations from Seattle to The Hague.

How does the Commission intend to take account in its legislative initiatives and its programming of
a (cid:145)right to energy(cid:146),
i.e. ensure equality of access for everyone to at least one source of energy whilst
contributing towards harmonious, equitable and environmentally-compatible development? And how can
it encourage international recognition of this (cid:145)right to energy(cid:146) as a human right?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 2001)

The Commission agrees with the view of the Honourable Members that one of the most basic objectives of
Community energy policy is the guarantee of secure supplies of energy to all Community citizens and
industry under reasonable conditions.

Indeed, in this light the Commission has recently adopted a Green Paper entitled (cid:145)Towards a European
strategy for the security of energy supply(cid:146) (1) in the context of which, the Commission has identified
13 questions that will focus the debate on the vital issue of secure energy supplies. The views of the
Parliament on the Green Paper will be of particular importance in permitting the Commission to draw
operational conclusions in due course.

Furthermore, as mentioned by the Honourable Members, there are particular issues regarding security of
supply and universal service in the context of the creation of the internal markets in electricity and gas.
The Commission will shortly publish a Communication on (cid:145)Completing the internal energy market(cid:146),
together with concrete proposals for the achievement of this objective.

As regards the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, the Commission recognises the key role that
the provision of energy services has in supporting social and economic development in these countries, by
helping to reduce poverty and by supporting the integration of ACP States into the world economy.
It considers that environmental, financial and institutional sustainability should define the ways in which
these services are provided.