WRITTEN QUESTION E-0102/01 by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Choice of key period for transition to euro.
Date: 2001-01-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: euro, public awareness campaign, single monetary policy, third stage of EMU

C 187 E/184

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.7.2001

Fishermen, meanwhile, speak of disaster, tragedy and despair. The small-scale fishing in small vessels in
which they are engaged represents the sole source of income for many families, which have been forced to
survive on less than ESP 30 000 a month. Having been confined to port
the
circumstances for some have become so dire that they have been forced to turn to loans and the social
services for help. Fishermen(cid:146)s guilds such as that in Cedeira (La Coruæa) have resorted to taking out bank
loans as a means of providing immediate economic assistance to its members.

for three months,

Given the traditionally low take-up of FIFG resources, will the Commission consider the possibility of
cofinancing support measures for estuary fishing and shellfishing in those regions of Europe hardest hit by
the storms, such as Galicia? Has the Spanish Government put forward a proposal of any kind to this
effect?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(16 February 2001)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member(cid:146)s concern over the situation for fishermen and shellfish
farmers hit by bad weather over recent months in regions such as Galicia.

The Commission would point out that under certain conditions specified in Article 16 of Council
Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down detailed rules and arrangements
regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector (1), Member States may grant fishermen
compensation, part-financed by the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG), for temporary
cessation of activities under unforeseeable circumstances,
in particular cessation for biological reasons.
However, for the 2000-2006 programming period, the total amount is limited to € 1 million or 4 % of the
Community financial assistance allocated to the sector in the Member State concerned.

In light of these circumstances,
granting any compensation allowances.

it is up to the Spanish government to take appropriate decisions on

The Commission would stress that the implementation rate for the FIFG in Spain in 1994-1999 will be
almost 100 %. For 2000-2006,
implementation of the FIFG is progressing in line with programming
expectations.

(1) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.

(2001/C 187 E/197)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0102/01

by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 January 2001)

Subject: Choice of key period for transition to euro

On 11 October 2000 the Commission adopted a recommendation on measures to facilitate the prepara-
tion of economic operators for the changeover to the euro. One of the proposals set out in this
communication is that these operators should be encouraged to start gaining experience in using the
euro as of the third quarter of 2001.

This key period, from June to September, also happens to be the period during which most people,
including the staff of the Community institutions, take their annual holiday. It therefore seems rather
unlikely that the social partners, economic operators and European citizens will take heed of such
a proposal.

1. Why was the third quarter of 2001 chosen as a key period in the changeover to the euro?

2.
In recommending that bank accounts be converted into euro during the third quarter of 2001, when
most European citizens are on holiday, does the Commission not fear it will cause unnecessary confusion?

3.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187 E/185

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2001)

The third quarter of 2001 was selected for two reasons: to accustom the economic actors to handling the
euro over a period which will be sufficiently long for them to become familiar with it; to stagger and have
more control over changeover operations by not having them coincide with the actual introduction of
coins and notes (frontloading will be spread over September to December 2001).

Conversion of accounts into euros will be accompanied by a large-scale information and communication
campaign targeted at the banks in order to prevent confusion and to ensure complete transparency of the
operation.

(2001/C 187 E/198)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0106/01

by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 February 2001)

Subject: Help for Honduras after hurricane

After the hurricane, the European Union has promised several millions of euros for rehabilitation of
schools and clinics, but to date not a single euro seems to have been delivered. Why?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(8 March 2001)

In order to respond to the most urgent needs, the European Community(cid:146)s Humanitarian Office (ECHO)
implemented emergency relief actions in Honduras amounting in total to € 15 million between 1998 and
1999 and committed a further € 1,5 million in 2000. ECHO(cid:146)s intervention focused on three main sectors
of assistance: water and sanitation, health and rehabilitation of houses. Aid for food security in the region
totalled € 30 million in 1999, the majority of which was committed to Honduras. All the food aid and
ECHO aid committed to Honduras was disbursed via European and local non-governmental organisation
(NGO) throughout the country in the months following the hurricane.

In addition to this important emergency assistance, the Community is highly committed to contributing to
the reconstruction and transformation programme of the Central American countries affected by Hurricane
Mitch: a longer term effort which had to be thoroughly prepared and co-ordinated with the national
development strategies and other donors(cid:146) activities.
the Commission has started to
implement the (cid:145)Regional Programme for Reconstruction of Central America(cid:146) (PRRAC). A decentralised
team,
including officials and local agents is managing the PRRAC programme from its Delegation in
Nicaragua, in order to ensure the proper use of public funds.

In this respect,

The programme totalling € 250 million covers, in the four beneficiary countries (El Salvador, Nicaragua,
Honduras and Guatemala), public health, water and sanitation, housing, education and training,
in an
attempt to give continuity to and strengthen the activities previously undertaken by other Commission
departments. In December 1999 the Commission made the first financial commitment for the PRRAC,
amounting to € 82,5 million. On 22 December 2000, the Commission committed the second part of the
PRRAC for a total amount of € 44 160 000 of which approximately € 22 million are devoted to Honduras.

The PRRAC has committed € 52,7 million via its (cid:145)Subprograma Honduras(cid:146) to this country which are being
implemented during the period 1999 to 2002. Moreover,
in 1998 the PRRAC(cid:146)s studies and technical
assistance project committed € 8,2 million.