WRITTEN QUESTION P-2582/01 by Hartmut Nassauer (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Accession of Poland and the Czech Republic to the EU and its effects on the German Federal government's funding of German associations in the former German territories in these countries.
Date: 2001-09-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Czechia, EU aid, EU programme, Germany, Poland, accession to the European Union, sociocultural group

C 93 E/166

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2002

The Commission expects that this person will no longer act as AfA’s representative with regard to the
signature of any future contractual documents relating to the Sensus project.

For additional information, the Commission refers to the answers to the written and oral questions by the
Honourable Member concerning the Sensus project (H-0629/01, H-O438/01 E-1082/01, E-1065/01,
E-1066/01, E-0891/01, E-0892/01, E-0893/01, E-0894/01, P-0009/01).

(2002/C 93 E/197)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2582/01

by Hartmut Nassauer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 September 2001)

Subject: Accession of Poland and the Czech Republic to the EU and its effects on the German Federal
government’s funding of German associations in the former German territories in these countries

I have been informed that, after Poland and the Czech Republic have joined the EU, it will no longer be
possible for the German Federal government to fund German associations in the former German territories
in these countries.

Is it true that the accession of these countries will have effects on the funding of these associations? If

1.
so, what are the reasons for this?

2. What opportunities does the Commission see for supporting the cultural life of the ethnic Germans
living there?

3.

Is it possible for the associations in question to receive subsidies from the Phare programme?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 2001)

1.
The Commission, on the basis of the acquis does not interfere with any Member State’s bilateral aid
programmes and therefore the accession of these countries would have no effect in this respect. As far as
culture is concerned, enlargement is about removing barriers and promoting understanding and contact
among the different peoples which will make up the enlarged Union. Many Member States fund networks
promoting their language and culture internationally, including within the other Member States e.g. the
Goethe Institute or the British Council, both of which are active in the Czech Republic and Poland.
Accession should not affect this.

German cultural associations within the Poland and Czech Republic will be able to participate in the

2.
Culture 2000 Programme on the same basis as any other cultural associations.

3.
Non governmental organisation’s (NGO) programmes are currently being funded under Phare in the
context of the development and strengthening of civil society. These will continue to be funded in the
future. Therefore, such associations could receive subsidies from these programmes depending on the basis
of eligibility and project selection criteria and subject to the regular budgetary process of the Commission.

In addition, the Phare programme concentrates on institution building (for example building up the
capacity of national and regional administration) and investment projects (helping to meet Community
norms in areas such as the environment). Programming is based upon Accession Partnership priorities.
Cross Border Co-operation measures also exist, whereby European Regions contribute to programming
involving the Czech, Polish, German and Austrian authorities as appropriate.