WRITTEN QUESTION E-0517/01 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) and Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Second and third CSFs for Greece: operational programmes for culture.
Date: 2001-02-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community support framework, Greece, cultural heritage, cultural policy, historic site, museum, operational programme, regional aid

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/133

(2001/C 261 E/143)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0517/01

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) and Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Second and third CSFs for Greece: operational programmes for culture

(22 February 2001)

Following the approval of the third Community support framework (2000-2006), the process of complet-
ing the drafting and approval of the new operational programmes under Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 (1)
is in its final stage.

What
is the appropriations total covered by the proposals submitted to the Commission for the
operational programme for culture? Could a table be supplied with a breakdown of priorities, individual
actions and the proposed appropriations which correspond to them?

What are the amounts for national, Community and private participation in the operational programme
for culture? What method was used to draw up the priorities included in the operational programme for
culture, and which bodies were involved?

What strategy was put forward and what is the (quantitative) evaluation of the effects on culture of the
operational programme(cid:146)s development? What bodies are involved in drafting and implementing it?

What plans have been included in the operational programme on culture and which partners were
involved in the relevant consultation carried out under the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999?

What was the consumption of appropriations for culture in the 2nd CSF (1994-1999), and what happened
to the appropriations from the 2nd CSF which were not utilised?

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(25 April 2001)

The Culture operational programme (OP) falls under priority 3 Quality of life of the Greek Community
support framework for the 2000-2006 programming period. Its primary aims are (a) to boost protection
of and capitalisation on Greece(cid:146)s cultural heritage and (b) harmonious supply/demand expansion for
cultural goods at regional level. This OP is complementary to those for Information society and Human
resources and action under the Community Initiatives.

Priority will be given to action to help improve the tourist products offered by Greece and strengthen
cultural development. Special attention will be given to all methods of directly and visibly improving the
attractiveness and accessibility of archaeological sites and museums.

The draft OP analyses the present situation in the culture sector. It details a development strategy and
priority aims (with quantified targets) and contains a descriptive summary of the measures, financial plan,
implementing provisions and ex ante evaluation.

For the entire period 2000-2006 about € 605 million will be available:

European Regional Development Fund

National contribution

Private funds

414

176

15

(€ millions)

68 %

29 %

3 %

C 261 E/134

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.9.2001

The OP(cid:146)s structure is:

Priority

Description and targets

1

2

3

Protection of and capitalisation on cultural heritage
(cid:129) modernisation and construction of museums: 60 000 m2
(cid:129) increase in visitors to museums and archaeological sites: 25 %

Expansion of modern culture
(cid:129) modernisation and construction of cultural centres: 30 000 m2
(cid:129) completion of two metropolitan culture centres: 120 000 m2
(cid:129) increase in audiences: 15 %

Technical assistance

€ millions

Community con-
tribution

267,75

134,25

12,30

The programming complement, to be drawn up by the Monitoring Committee for the programme after its
adoption by the Commission, will contain the detailed financing plan and a precise list of the measures to
be part-financed.

The Commission has been informed by the Greek authorities that the draft OP was drawn up by the
Ministry for Culture in close cooperation with the regions, the Ministries for Economic Affairs and Labour
and agencies such as the Secretariat for Equal Opportunities and drafting committee for the Information
society programme. During the preparatory stage various ministerial circulars invited all potential
recipients under the programme to submit proposals and observations.

The projects to be part-financed under the OP will be chosen by its managing authority using appropriate
criteria. Technical maturity and correspondence to the priorities are prime considerations. Project selection
can potentially spread over the whole OP period (2000-2006). Thus no project list is available at present.

The exact take-up rate of the appropriations assigned to Culture in the 1994-1999 CSF will not be known
before the payment period ends on 31 December 2001. As all appropriations have been committed and
the projects appear to be advancing satisfactorily the take-up rate will probably be 100 %.

(2001/C 261 E/144)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0519/01

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(22 February 2001)

Subject: Procurement of computers versus environmental criteria

The Swedish Agency for Administrative Development has been commissioned by the Swedish Government
to procure 400 000 new personal computers for government ministries, agencies and local and regional
authorities. In its invitation to tender the Agency has specified that the computers must not contain certain
toxic chemicals such as flame retardants and heavy metals such as cadmium and antimony.

The Commission has questioned whether the Agency has specified the environmental criteria in the proper
manner in what is the biggest PC procurement contract yet in Sweden. The Commission reportedly
claimed that the criteria might constitute obstacles to trade. The Agency claims that the environmental
criteria are reasonable and balanced.