WRITTEN QUESTION E-0660/01 by Philip Bushill-Matthews (PPE-DE) to the Council. Lisbon European Council and investment.
Date: 2001-03-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Council, innovation, private investment, research and development, venture capital

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/61

Is it true that the Commission has made countless requests for further information in respect of the OPs
for the new L(cid:228)nder that have been submitted, and that there have been delays in confirmation?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(30 May 2001)

On 8 November 1999, the Commission received the draft operational programme (OP) for Thuringia from
the German federal authorities.

The Community support framework (CSF) for Germany, co-ordinating all Community structural assistance
including assistance for the development of human resources in the regions concerned, was adopted by the
Commission in June 2000 (1).

After examination of the draft OP, the Commission sent its remarks to Thuringia in August 2000. After
bilateral
talks in Brussels on 24 October 2000, the final version of the OP was submitted to the
Commission on 28 November 2000 and adopted on 15 December 2000.

Following the Commission(cid:146)s letter of 29 November 2000 addressed to both German federal and regional
authorities, the date of 22 November 1999 has been laid down for the eligibility of expenditure.

the new programming period 2000-2006,

The introduction of
involving adaptation and uniform
application of the new Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general
provisions on the Structural Funds (2), has presented a real challenge to the Member States and the
Commission. In comparison with the other regions eligible under Objective 1, the new German L(cid:228)nder
have not been especially affected by additional questions, requests for further information or delays.

(1) OJ L 318, 16.12.2000.
(2) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2001/C 340 E/070)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0660/01

by Philip Bushill-Matthews (PPE-DE) to the Council

Subject: Lisbon European Council and investment

(8 March 2001)

The 2000 Lisbon European Council called on the Council and the Commission, together with the Member
States where appropriate to (cid:145)improve the environment for private research investment, R & D partnerships
and high technology start-ups, by using tax policies, venture capital and EIB support.(cid:146) What progress,
particularly in terms of concrete examples, has been made since the Lisbon summit in this area?

Reply

(13 July 2001)

As the conclusions of the Lisbon European Council state, the steps to be taken to establish a European
Research Area involve efforts to be undertaken by the Commission, the Council and, where appropriate,
the Member States themselves. The problems, long identified, relating to lack of investment in R & D, in
particular private investment, as well as the need for investment to encourage R & D partnerships and high
technology start-ups, have to be tackled in the main at Member State level
in the area of tax
incentives), together with some incitement from the Commission.

(e.g.

The Council itself can only but applaud whatever initiatives are taken to encourage, in particular, private
investment in R & D activities.

C 340 E/62

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.12.2001

The Council has noted with interest the Commission initiatives to reinforce the networking of R & D
actions and the financing of innovation by risk capital. It has also acknowledged the efforts currently being
made by the European Investment Bank in (cid:145)the i2i initiative(cid:146) to support the creation of the European
Research Area, using, inter alia, the European Investment Fund and in particular the analyses undertaken
by the Bank and the Commission for potential cooperation to support actions under the Fifth and Sixth
research framework programmes.

In this context, the recent Council Decision on a multiannual programme for SMEs (2001-2005) should be
noted. This amounts to € 450 million over five years and is directed largely to innovation and RTD take-
up.

Moreover, the Council has noted the Commission(cid:146)s intention, announced in its report to the Stockholm
European Council on the progress achieved in setting up ERA, to undertake a comparative study in good
practices relating to support for research and innovation by fiscal measures and to establish a specific
framework for cooperation with the EIB.

The Council will also examine all relevant measures put forward by the Commission in its recently
submitted proposal for the 2002-2006 research framework programme.

The Stockholm European Council has reviewed this strategy and given new orientations.

Several reports of the Council and the Commission submitted to the Stockholm European Council reflect
progress in some Member States. In particular there has been progress in the development of venture
capital market, taxation encouraging bussiness expenditures on R & D, remedies to the fragmentation of
Europe(cid:146)s R & D efforts and in the creation of a business environment more favourable to innovation and
technological progress. Nevertheless much remains to be done in the relation between science and
industry. Of particular relevance are the Council Report on the Annual Report on Structural Reforms 2001
and the Commission Report on the implementation of the 2000 Broad Economic Policy Guidelines.

The Stockholm European Council has notably endorsed the objective of a well functionning risk capital
market by 2003 trough the implementation of the Risk Capital Action Plan.

(2001/C 340 E/071)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0662/01

by Philip Bushill-Matthews (PPE-DE) to the Council

Subject: Lisbon European Council and information networks

(8 March 2001)

The 2000 Lisbon European Council invited (cid:145)the Council to strengthen cooperation between Member States
by exchanging experiences and best practice on the basis of improved information networks which are the
basic tools in this field [social protection].(cid:146) What specific steps have been taken in this regard and how is
progress being monitored?

Reply

(13 July 2001)

Following on from the Lisbon European Council, the Commission submitted on 19 June 2000 a proposal
for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a programme of Community
action to encourage cooperation between Member States to combat social exclusion by improving
knowledge, developing the exchange of information and best practices, evaluating experiences, and by
promoting dialogue and supporting networking at
the European level between relevant bodies and
organisations. The Decision has not yet been adopted, the second reading in the European Parliament
being currently in progress.