WRITTEN QUESTION E-2241/01 by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) and Mikko Pesälä (ELDR) to the Commission. Need to develop assessment instruments for the EU structural funds.
Date: 2001-07-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Structural Funds, project evaluation, project management

4.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/135

(2002/C 81 E/160)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2239/01

by Isidoro SÆnchez Garc(cid:237)a (ELDR) to the Council

(26 July 2001)

Subject: Situation in Western Sahara

On 24 March 2000 I tabled a written question to the Council on the referendum in Western Sahara
(E-0908/00) (1), specifically on whether the Council intended, via the High Representative for the Common
Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, to include in its work programme participation in the control
and monitoring of issues affecting the future of the Sahara, in particular as regards the referendum.

The Council answered my question on 10 July 2000, when it expressed its willingness to contribute to this
process and help build a climate of confidence among the interested parties in order to find an acceptable
negotiated solution based on respect for human rights and democratic principles.

One year on, the European Union(cid:146)s High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy
Javier Solana has stated in Rabat that the European Union supports the position taken by the United
Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan regarding the Sahara conflict, i.e. the temporary freezing of the
settlement plan under which a referendum was to be held on self-determination in exchange for granting a
degree of autonomy to the former Spanish colony, which would remain under Moroccan sovereignty.

Is this the case?

(1) OJ C 46 E, 13.2.2001, p. 77.

Reply

(26 November 2001)

The Council fully supports the process within the UN as set out in the UN Security Council resolutions,
and particularly Mr James Baker(cid:146)s efforts. In its resolution 1359 of 29 June 2001, the Security Council
clearly indicated the course to be followed, inter alia encouraging the parties to examine, whether directly
or indirectly, the draft framework agreement on the status of the Western Sahara contained in Annex 1 to
the UN Secretary-General(cid:146)s report of 20 June 2001 (S/2001/613), and any other proposal for a political
settlement which might be put forward by the parties in order to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
The resolution also calls for the proposals submitted by the Polisario with a view to overcoming the
obstacles to applying the UN settlement plan to be examined while these talks continue. Moreover,
Mr Solana, Secretary-General/High Representative of the EU for the CFSP, has never spoken of the freezing
of the settlement plan, with the latter still remaining a basis for a solution. Whatever solution that may be,
it should be based on full compliance with democratic principles and human rights, and encompass the
worrying issue of Moroccan refugees and prisoners, particularly those who are in urgent need of medical
attention.

(2002/C 81 E/161)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2241/01

by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) and Mikko Pes(cid:228)l(cid:228) (ELDR) to the Commission

(26 July 2001)

Subject: Need to develop assessment instruments for the EU structural funds

In our view there are shortcomings in the assessment, follow-up and monitoring of structural fund
projects, because no common and comparable assessment instruments or output quality indicators have
been developed.

In particular there is a need for both quantitative and qualitative assessment instruments for employment,
social and health projects.

C 81 E/136

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

Those responsible for implementing projects often regard the bureaucracy as excessive. However, they do
not posses sufficient information and/or skill to create standardised assessment instruments themselves.

If quality criteria are adopted at monitoring level, this may (cid:129) thanks to more precise assessment (cid:129)
improve the final result of the project. In the same way these criteria can improve the delimitation of
projects and, at a later stage, the exploitation of the results.

What does the Commission propose to do in terms of creating both assessment instruments and quality
indicators?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(12 October 2001)

Monitoring, evaluation and control are essential elements of the management of programmes supported by
the European Union under the Structural Funds. The regulatory requirements in these fields have been
strengthened in successive programming periods.

For the 1994-1999 period, programming documents contain monitoring indicators, at programme, sub-
programme and measure level. Information on these indicators is either gathered at project level or at a
more aggregated level (in particular macro-economic indicators). The indicators are, in general, established
at regional or national level rather than at Community level because of the diversity of actions undertaken
across regions and Member States. The assessment of the effectiveness and impact of Structural Fund
interventions must also take account of the contexts in which they take place, and it is therefore
considered inappropriate for the Commission to impose uniform indicators and methodologies to every
situation.

For the current period, 2000-2006, the requirements have been reinforced, notably in the Council
Regulation (EC) no1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds, in
particular in Article 36 (monitoring), chapter III (evaluation) and chapter IV (the performance reserve).

The Commission has also taken practical steps to improve the quality of monitoring, evaluation and
control.

For example:

(cid:129) Working documents and evaluation handbooks have been developed. These provide methodological
guidance on developing appropriate indicators and on how to measure the effectiveness and impact of
expenditure;

(cid:129) The organisation of exchanges of experiences between implementing authorities via seminars and
regular meetings. These events address both evaluation experts and operational managers of
programmes;

(cid:129) Advice and support for the authorities in the Member States in the preparation of the programmes.

These activities cover all sectors, including employment, social affairs and health. The work in this field is
ongoing and the Commission will continue to seek to introduce improvements in the years ahead.

(2002/C 81 E/162)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2242/01

by Mikko Pes(cid:228)l(cid:228) (ELDR) and Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) to the Commission

(26 July 2001)

Subject: Duration and development of the EU structural funds(cid:146) employment policy programmes

Structural fund actions take the form of individual projects. A common problem with employment
projects, for example, is that they have only a limited capacity to create permanent jobs. The duration of
the projects should be extended in order to obtain lasting results.