WRITTEN QUESTION E-2174/01 by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Financial aid for the Palestinians.
Date: 2001-07-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Palestine, action programme, aid system, budget, financial aid, financial cooperation

18.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/3

Baltic Sea. When Poland becomes a member of the European Union it will have to fulfil the ‘good
ecological and chemical status’ objectives of the Water Framework Directive in all waters by the required
deadlines, and achieve integrated river basin management. Poland should also prevent further deterioration
of the current ecological and chemical status of all waters. As an EU-Accession country, Poland also has to
implement the Habitat Directive, contributing to the establishment of the Natura 2000 network, which is
also a requirement of the WFD. This process, which implies the protection of certain habitats and species,
has already started in the Vistula river basin. Large parts of the Vistula valley are now considered for
designation as Natura 2000 sites, but the process is under threat because of the plans for building new
dams.

Will the European Commission, therefore, consider a proposal of assistance to the Polish authorities for a
timely implementation of the Water Framework Directive by designating the Vistula river basin as a
demonstration project for integrated river basin management (IRBM), to be financed by ISPA and other EU
funding? If successful, the Vistula river basin IRBM project could be a model for implementation of the
WFD elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe.

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(6 September 2001)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Members that the water quality of the Vistula river, as well
as the protection of species and habitats, present in that river basin deserve attention. The Commission
continues to follow the proposal to build dams on the Vistula very closely.

Within the implementation strategy for the Water Framework Directive, the testing of guidance documents
in pilot river basins is foreseen. For this purpose about 10 basins or sub-basins will be selected, both in
Member States and Candidate Countries. At present, selection criteria are being developed, to ensure that
the chosen basins are representative as well as broadly distributed across Europe. The Vistula river would
definitely qualify as a candidate for a pilot river basin.
the
Commission would assess the proposal on an equal basis with all other proposals.

If proposed by the Polish authorities,

As regards Community funding, the Commission would positively consider, under the PHARE programme,
a project proposal from the Polish authorities related to the implementation of Directive 2000/60/EC
establishing a framework of Community action in the field of water policy (1). Such a project could include
integrated river basin management of the Vistula river.

(1) OJ L 327, 22.12.2000.

(2002/C 172 E/003)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2174/01

by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 July 2001)

Subject: Financial aid for the Palestinians

The European Union grants financial aid to the Palestinians.

From which budget lines does the money come? How much money has been granted in the past few
years, and what amounts have been set for this year and next? What projects has the money been used to
finance? By whom and on the basis of what criteria are the projects selected?

C 172 E/4

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2002

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(10 September 2001)

The Community grants financial and technical cooperation to the Palestinian Authority broadly under
three budget lines:

? B7-410: MEDA (measures to accompany the reforms to the economic and social structures in the
Mediterranean non-member countries). This is the main budget line for the Euro-Mediterranean
Partnership.

? B7-420: Community operations connected with the Israel/PLO Peace Agreement. This is a special
instrument set up following the 1993 statement of principle on support for the Middle East Peace
Process.

? B7-421: Aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East

(UNRWA). The Community has been a contributor to UNRWA’s budget since 1971.

A table showing aid granted by the Community to the Palestinian Authority in 1999 and 2000, broken
down by budget line, will be sent direct to the Honourable Member and Parliament’s Secretariat.

No commitment is planned (under the MEDA line) this year (2001): decisions on operations in Palestine
will be taken in the light of the political situation there. However, the Commission (EuropeAid) has
provided for a total of € 48 050 000 in commitment appropriations in 2001 under line B7-420 (Peace
Agreement) and commitments of € 42 250 000 under line B7-241 (UNRWA).

A list of the projects financed by the Community under the MEDA line in 1999 and 2000 is also being
sent direct to the Honourable Member and Parliament’s Secretariat.

Commitments under line B7-421 take the form of contributions paid each year into UNRWA’s own
budget.

So far the main objectives, guidelines and priority sectors for Community operations in the Mediterranean
partner countries have been set out in three-year strategy papers known as indicative programmes. The
new MEDA regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No 2698/2000 of 27 November 2000 amending
Regulation (EC) No 1488/96 on financial and technical measures to accompany (MEDA) the reform of
economic and social structures in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership (1)) also provides
for longer-term strategy papers covering the period 2000-2006.

The 2000-2002 indicative programme for the West Bank and the Gaza Strip which the Commission
approved in December 2000 reflects the priorities set in the Palestinian Development Plan, and comprises
two main cooperation sectors: support for economic transition and development (in two sections ?
support for the reform process and institutional capacity building, and private-sector development), and
socio-economic balance and environment. Community-financed projects have to fall within one of these
categories.

(1) OJ L 311, 12.12.2000.

(2002/C 172 E/004)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2182/01

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(23 July 2001)

Subject: Delegation staffing

Does the Commission have any figures which confirm that there is a significant imbalance in the
allocation of staff to delegations in third countries?