WRITTEN QUESTION E-1191/01 by Robert Goebbels (PSE) to the Commission. Use of an industrial site reclaimed through EU aid.
Date: 2001-04-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Luxembourg, educational institution, frontier region, industrial development, regional aid

C 364 E/56

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.12.2001

(2001/C 364 E/061)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1191/01

by Robert Goebbels (PSE) to the Commission

(19 April 2001)

Subject: Use of an industrial site reclaimed through EU aid

The author of this question firstly wishes to stress that the Commission has taken more than four months
to give an (cid:129) incomplete (cid:129) answer to his Question E-2807/00 (1) regarding the use of an industrial site
industrial park, the
reclaimed by means of EU aid. The question concerned whether an international
infrastructure of which has been developed with the help of significant Community funds, may be
reassigned to be used for the building of a state school,
important though the latter may be from
Luxembourg(cid:146)s point of view.

In other words, can Community funds be used to redevelop land the ultimate intended use of which is no
longer that which justified the Commission(cid:146)s contribution?

(1) OJ C 187 E, 3.7.2001, p. 3.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(27 July 2001)

As the Commission informed the Honourable Member in September 2000, in order to answer his Written
Question E-2807/00 (1) the competent authorities needed to be contacted and this took some time.

The purpose of investments to which the Commission has contributed must continue to apply throughout
the duration of the programme and, where possible, until the goals set out therein have been achieved.

In accordance with Article 24 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4253/88 of 19 December 1988 laying down
provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards coordination of the activities of the
different Structural Funds between themselves and with the operations of the European Investment Bank
the
and the other existing financial
Commission can only reduce or suspend assistance in respect of the operation or measure concerned if
an examination reveals an irregularity or a significant change affecting the nature or conditions for the
implementation of the operation or measure for which the Commission(cid:146)s approval has not been sought.

instruments, as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2082/93 (2),

In the case in point, the goals set out in the programme have been attained. (By the end of 1997, some
1 561 jobs had been created on the Luxembourg side of the European Development Pole, the target set
being only 1 000.) Under the circumstances, the aim of the Community financial assistance has been met
and one cannot object where the use made of the facilities benefiting from the aid changes over time and
in line with the Member State(cid:146)s needs and priorities.

(1) OJ C 187 E, 3.7.2001, p. 3.
(2) OJ L 193, 31.7.1993, p. 20.

(2001/C 364 E/062)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1193/01

by Robert Goebbels (PSE) to the Commission

(19 April 2001)

Subject: Dependence of civil society organisations on Community funding

In December 2000, in an audit report on the CLONG, the liaison committee of development NGOs vis-(cid:224)-
funds provided by the
vis
Commission.

the EU, doubts were expressed concerning the sound management of

The same report showed that the CLONG(cid:146)s past activities were financed as to 85 % by funds from the
Community budget. One is entitled to wonder how objective are the opinions of a civil society body which
is almost entirely dependent on the institution it is supposed to monitor critically.