WRITTEN QUESTION E-2945/02 by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission. Abuse of funds in Romania.
Date: 2002-10-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Romania, budgetary control, fraud, fraud against the EU, judicial inquiry

C 268 E/22

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

7.11.2003

(2003/C 268 E/025)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2945/02

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(18 October 2002)

Subject: Abuse of funds in Romania

‘Libération’ reported on 27 September 2002 that the Romanian authorities have announced the opening of
an inquiry into the abuse of EU funds intended for the construction of a port facility on the Danube.

Can the Commission confirm the correctness of this press report?

Can the Commission provide guarantees that it is following this procedure with the necessary attention
and that it will forward to Parliament, in good time, a detailed report in the context of the discharge
procedure for the 2001 budget?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(5 December 2002)

The Romanian authorities have informed the Commission that an investigation had been launched
concerning a project co-financed by PHARE under the CREDO Programme.

The CREDO Programme was a multi-country grant scheme for cross-border co-operation projects between
Central and Eastern European countries and between them and the bordering New Independent States. The
objective was to promote good neighbourliness, social stability and economic development in the border
regions by providing funding for projects which yield tangible benefits to both sides of the border.

The project under investigation was a ferryboat passage for large vehicles between Tulcea and Reni on the
Romanian (cid:1) Ukrainian border. Total amount of the project was EUR 302 530, out of which EUR 239 466
were provided by PHARE.

The Commission has confirmed to the Romanian authorities its readiness to support the investigation in
Romania. The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has been notified as a matter of course. However, it
should be underlined that at this stage the Commission has not received any information which would
confirm any abuse of EU funds.

As soon as the Commission receives further
developments of their investigation, the Honourable Member will be duly informed in writing.

information from the Romanian authorities on the

(2003/C 268 E/026)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2966/02

by Nicholas Clegg (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 October 2002)

Subject: Circumstances for withdrawing from GATS commitments

Under what circumstances are member countries of the WTO able to withdraw commitments made under
GATS, either from individual GATS schedules or from the GATS agreement as a whole?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(31 October 2002)

Commitments made under individual General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) schedules may
according to Article XXI of the GATS be withdrawn or modified after they have been in force for three
years (Article XXI of the GATS). A Member shall notify its intent to modify or withdraw a commitment to
the Council for Trade in Services no later than three months before the intended date of implementation of