WRITTEN QUESTION E-0952/01 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission. Notification of fiscal policy changes.
Date: 2001-03-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, Eurogroup (NATO), European Commission, adoption of a law by vote, exchange of information, national law, tax law

11.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 350 E/63

Is it possible that EuroTech will make a profit through its activity as national agency? Is it not the logical
conclusion from Commission directives that only a (cid:145)non-profit-making(cid:146) organisation can be used as
a national agency?

Is the Commission planning to cofinance the Austrian national agency to the maximum amount of 50 %,
even though EuroTech(cid:146)s gross contract price is some € 40 000 higher than that of other tenderers?

Is it true that EuroTech is planning to invest only about half as many man-hours as other tenderers in its
activity as national agency, even though the gross costs are higher?

Would an aid contract between the Commission and EuroTech be in contravention of the law?

What is the potential damage to the Commission if it concludes an aid contract with EuroTech and the
supervisory bodies to whom an appeal has been made subsequently declare the grant to EuroTech to be
illegal?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(14 June 2001)

The Community YOUTH programme is implemented through a network of national agencies. The
Commission has adopted provisions, after the approval by the YOUTH Programme Committee, relating to
the responsibilities of the Commission and of the Member States concerning the national agencies.

According to the provisions, the authorities in the Member States are responsible for the designation of an
agency in their country. In Austria, the Federal Ministry of Social Security and Generations has designated
EuroTech as national agency following a call for tender.

In addition, the provisions establish the minimum requirements, which apply to the national agencies.
According to the provisions the body designated as the national agency must, among other things, have at
their disposal personnel qualified for administrative work in an environment of international co-operation.
Language, management, financial management and computer skills as well as knowledge on the youth
sector are very desirable.

The Commission has verified that the appointed national agency complies with these requirements. For
this purpose, the Commission has visited EuroTech in their premises in Vienna. The personnel of EuroTech
covers a wide range of competencies including experience with youth research, management of
Community programmes and funds (including the European Voluntary Service) as well as general
management and financial management skills. The proposed organisation and number of man-hours seem
to be appropriate for the expected tasks.

The Community contribution is limited to 50 % of the operating costs of the agency. The contribution is
calculated on the real operating costs of the agency and excludes any possible profits.

The Commission will, in the contract with the new agency, protect its interest with regard to any possible
outcome of the ongoing appeal.

(2001/C 350 E/068)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0952/01

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(28 March 2001)

Subject: Notification of fiscal policy changes

Does the Commission believe that the Finance Ministers of the Member States should notify any intended
fiscal policy changes to the Commission before they are announced or implemented? If so, why?

C 350 E/64

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(20 June 2001)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his Written Question E-0850/01 (1).

That answer is still valid.

(1) See page 51.

(2001/C 350 E/069)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0954/01

by Mar(cid:237)a Valenciano Mart(cid:237)nez-Orozco (PSE) to the Commission

(28 March 2001)

Subject: Gender equality in the Territorial Pacts for Employment programmes

In 1996 the Commission launched an initiative entitled (cid:145)Territorial Pacts for Employment(cid:146) which enabled
89 programmes to be carried out, involving all the EU Member States. The programmes received funding
from the Directorate-General
for Regional Policy in respect of technical assistance and most of the
programmes have been completed or are drawing to a close thanks to financial support from the
operational programmes of each country or region involved.

One of the most important guidelines laid down by the Commission for use by the Member States when
selecting projects is the need to include measures and initiatives based on the Community(cid:146)s equal
opportunities policy.

Similarly, the Guide to the 2000-2006 Territorial Pacts for Employment recommends that the equal
opportunities policy be incorporated into the new programmes in the local areas in which they are
implemented.

Has the gender impact of the programmes implemented under the 89 Territorial Pacts been assessed with
a view to incorporating the experience gained from those programmes into new projects relating to the
current planning period and for the purpose of assessing the continuity or otherwise of programmes
which are coming to an end but which are to be repeated?

If not, what procedure will be applied for the purpose of identifying the best practices implemented and
learning the lessons which may be drawn from them?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(7 June 2001)

As the Honourable Member says, ever since they were launched in 1997, the Territorial Employment Pacts
(comprising projects financed by all the Structural Funds) have incorporated and encouraged measures to
promote equal opportunities between men and women. The rules applying in 1994-1999, less specific
than those introduced for 2000-2006, stipulated that projects financed by the Structural Funds must
respect the principle of equality.

Moreover, as one of the four pillars of European employment policy, equality in the broadest sense
(encompassing minorities and social exclusion as well as gender aspects) was given prominence in action
plans under the pacts. Innovative projects initiated by the pacts were promoted at two conferences in
1999 and 2000,
the proceedings of which are available on the Inforegio site (http://www.infore-
gio.cec.eu.int/). In addition, a database has been established to provide information on projects under the
89 pacts, classified according to the four European employment policy priorities. This base will be
operational on the Inforegio site within the next few months.