WRITTEN QUESTION E-2777/01 by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) to the Commission. Compliance with the additionality principle in connection with the EU's structural fund policy in Finland.
Date: 2001-10-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, Finland, Structural Funds, application of EU law, exchange of information, principle of additionality

C 115 E/156

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

16.5.2002

(2002/C 115 E/161)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2755/01

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Free trade with the 48 poorest countries in the world

(9 October 2001)

In March 2001 free trade with transitional periods between the EU countries and the 48 poorest countries
in the world was decided on.

Is there any possibility that the EU might reappraise this decision in principle or is it hard and fast? If there
is any scope for reappraisal will the Commission state the terms on which it would take place?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2001)

On 26 February 2001, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 416/2001 of 28 February 2001 amending
Regulation (EC) No 2820/98 applying a multiannual scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the period
1 July 1999 to 31 December 2001 so as to extend duty-free access without any quantitative restrictions to
products originating in the least developed countries (LDCs) (1) 5 commonly referred to as the ‘everything
but arms (EBA) Regulation’, granting duty-free access to imports of all products from LDCs (48 poorest
countries), except arms and munitions, without any quantitative restrictions. Only for imports of fresh
bananas, rice and sugar liberalisation will take place in stages, with full liberalisation taking effect in 2009.

The EBA Regulation amended Regulation (EC) No 2820/98 of 21 December 1998, applying a multiannual
scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the period 1 July 1999 to 31 December 2001 (2) (‘generalised
system of preferences (GSP)’ Regulation).

EBA as part of the GSP is an autonomous trade policy instrument providing development-oriented
preferences. It is a unilateral concession from the Community to the world’s poorest countries to improve
trading opportunities for LDCs and enhance their participation in world trade.

The EBA Regulation foresees a liberalisation process which will end in 2009. It also provides that the
special arrangements for LDCs should not be subject to the periodic renewal of the Community’s scheme
of generalised preferences. Therefore, the date of expiry of the present GSP scheme (31 December 2001)
does not apply to EBA provisions.

(1) OJ L 60, 1.3.2001.
(2) OJ L 357, 30.12.1998.

(2002/C 115 E/162)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2777/01

by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 October 2001)

Subject: Compliance with the additionality principle in connection with the EU’s structural fund policy in

Finland

Can the Commission supply information on how Finland claims to be complying with the additionality
principle in the context of the EU’s structural fund policy?

Is this in line with the principles set out in the structural fund regulations?

16.5.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 115 E/157

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 2001)

In accordance with Article 11 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down
general provisions on the Structural Funds (1), the main rationale for the additionality principle is that
Structural Funds should not replace public or other equivalent expenditure incurred by a Member State. In
order to verify this additionality, assessments are carried out in three phases: ex-ante, mid-term and ex-
post.

The Commission and the Finnish authorities have agreed on the level of public expenditure, which is to be
maintained over the 2000-2006 period for the objective 1 areas. Compared to the previous period (1995-
1999),
this represents an increase of 0,7 % on the annual average. This estimate is based on the
assumption that municipal and state income is expected to grow annually by 2 % on average, and that the
expenditure incurred by state-owned companies is not included in the calculation.

Throughout the programming period, the Finnish authorities will inform the Commission, in due course,
of any developments which may undermine their ability to comply with additionality.

A further verification of this principle will then be undertaken at the mid-term phase in accordance with
the above mentioned Council Regulation.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2002/C 115 E/163)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2781/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(9 October 2001)

Subject: New security measures at airports

The tragic spread of terrorism has prompted the adoption of new measures to ensure security at airports.
These include preventing passengers from going through security controls with nail scissors, penknives or
any sharp objects and taking them on flights.

Is the Commission aware that airport shops in departure lounges display nail scissors, penknives etc.,

1.
which can be purchased freely and taken on board?

2.

Does the Commission intend to take any action on this subject?

Does the Commission consider that

3.
communication on the part of those responsible for security measures?

this omission is due to yet another example of

lack of

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2001)

The Commission unreservedly condemns such practices and indeed has recommended that the sale of such
dangerous objects should be stopped.

The Commission on 10 October 2001 proposed the adoption and enforcement of common Community
security rules for civil aviation by means of a Parliament and Council Regulation (1). The incorporation of
these rules into Community law will enable them to be applied in an effective manner and this process will
be subject to continuous control.

The common rules will be based on the rules set out in Document 30 of the European Civil Aviation
Conference (ECAC) and will aim at increased control of both international and domestic flights.