WRITTEN QUESTION E-2282/01 by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. European Commission funding in Paraguay.
Date: 2001-07-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, EU programme, Paraguay, cooperation agreement (EU), financial aid, management, social development, young person

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/21

As far as phosphine and methylbromide are concerned, it can be stressed that phosphine is one of the
chemical agents included in the preparatory work for a proposal
indicative
occupational exposure levels (IOELV’s). This list should be adopted, under Directive 98/24/EC, in the first
half of 2002. Methylbromide is currently on the priority list for the work of the Scientific Committee of
Occupational Exposure Limits values to be evaluated during 2002.

for a second list of

Furthermore, the use of phosphine and methylbromide for these applications within the Community will
be evaluated under the 10 year review program established by Directive 98/8/EC of the Parliament and of
the Council of 16 February 1998, on the placing of biocidal products on the market (3). Manufacturers
who wish to continue to place these substances on the market for the purpose of cargo fumigation, will
have to notify this according to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1896/2000 of 7 September 2000 on the
first phase of the programme referred to in Article 16(2) of Directive 98/8/EC of the Parliament and of the
Council on biocidal products (4) until 28 March 2002 and supply the required data. On the basis of all
notifications received for all biocidal substances, a detailed program of evaluation will be determined. The
evaluation, which will be carried out by a rapporteur Member State, will address all aspects related to the
effects on human health and the environment, including occupational safety. At the moment it is not
possible to state with certainty at what moment the evaluation will be finalized.

(1) OJ C 311 E, 31.10.2000.
(2) OJ L 131, 5.5.1998.
(3) OJ L 123, 24.4.1998.
(4) OJ L 228, 8.9.2000.

(2002/C 134 E/021)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2282/01

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: European Commission funding in Paraguay

(31 July 2001)

What is the overall amount of money the European Commission has awarded to Paraguay in the past five
years and the amount of money awarded to the NGO AMAR (Assistance to Minors and Adolescents in
situation of high risk) in the same period?

Could the Commission clarify what is the legal status of AMAR and its precise role in Paraguay, as it
appears to act as a subcontractor and/or an intermediate body between NGOs and the EU?

We are aware from good sources that there have been complaints about the way EU funds are being spent
by AMAR. Could the Commission state whether regular audits of AMAR have been carried out and
whether any irregularities have been unveiled?

Could the Commission outline what measures it proposes to take, or has taken,
irregularities?

to remedy these

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 2001)

Community co-operation with Paraguay is carried out within a Framework Cooperation Agreement signed
between the Commission and the Government of Paraguay in 1991. In the context of this agreement,
which sets out the thematic areas for co-operation, the Community has committed € 90,3 million so far.

the priority thematic areas of co-operation is social development. Within this sector,

the
One of
Community is presently co-financing,
the Project PRY/
B7-0310/96/007 ‘Assistance to Minors and Adolescents in situation of high risk’, also known as AMAR.
The Commission’s contribution to this project is € 10,030,000 for a period of five years.

along the Government of Paraguay,

AMAR is not an non governmental organisation (NGO) but a project managed under the rules for
Community’s external aid. Its legal status is guaranteed under the project’s Financing Agreement, which
was signed between the Commission and the Government of Paraguay in 1997.

C 134 E/22

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

The Commission’s external aid management system is designed to ensure effective management of projects
and to contribute to sustainable development of beneficiary countries.

The general procedures that apply to Community financial projects in South America consist of the
following elements:

E The priority areas for co-operation and the project ideas are determined jointly by the Commission

and the recipient country.

E On the basis of the above, the Commission sets up an identification mission with the task of

formulating the project proposal.

E The project proposal and later the Financing Proposal, are approved by the Commission, the Member
States and the recipient country. The Financing Proposal is the basis for the Financing Agreement,
which is signed by the Commission and the Government and constitutes the legal framework of each
project.

E The Commission then carries out a tender to contract Technical Assistance for each project. The
Technical Assistance generally comprises a European Co-Director and a Project Administrator, as well
as the experts that may be required by each specific project.

E For its part the Government of the partner country designates a National Co-Director. The European
and the National Co-Directors head the Project Management Unit, which is responsible for day-to-day
project management.

E Among the main responsibilities of the Project Management Unit are the preparation of work plans
and technical and financial reports, as well as carrying out project monitoring, and annual financial
audits. The Commission transfers funds to the project only upon compliance with the above-
mentioned procedures.

In this context, AMAR’s Project Management Unit began its operations in early 1999, and has carried out
two annual audits for the fiscal periods of 1999 and 2000. Both audits have concluded that the project
expenditures are eligible and have been made in accordance with the project’s Financing Agreement. No
irregularities were detected.

(2002/C 134 E/022)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2293/01

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(31 July 2001)

Subject: Combating instability in Eastern Europe by protection and the early development of alternatives to

rapid accession to the EU

1.
Does the Commission consider it possible that serious political instability will arise in the applicant
countries in the next few years as a result an electoral backlash in which government and opposition
parties which, despite their very divergent political views,
jointly supported accession to the EU are
punished and swept from power by voters disappointed by their experiences and expectations?

2.
How does the Commission assess the possibility that if voters blame the parties now in government
and the main opposition parties it may result in the rise to power of nationalist forces on a platform of
identity and protection of the national
preservation of national
economy?

independence, affirmation of national

How does the Commission intend to help dispel dissatisfaction and prevent the emergence of

3.
instability of this kind?

4.
Has the Commission already considered alternatives to the early accession to the EU of the countries
concerned, for instance a transitional period involving far-reaching cooperation agreements with the
Visegrad countries and the Baltic States, modelled on the earlier agreements with the European Free Trade
Association?

5.
Does the Commission consider that a possible and acceptable solution would be for these States to
be entitled, on the basis of a cooperation agreement, to financial contributions from the EU Cohesion Fund
but at the same time be afforded protection against the selling off of land and firms to inhabitants of
countries with stronger economies and against imports from such countries, in order to ensure the socio-
economic security of their population?