WRITTEN QUESTION P-0109/03 by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission. European Solidarity Fund for natural disasters in Catania Province.
Date: 2003-01-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financial instrument, EU regional policy, Italy, aid system, eligibility criteria, natural disaster

C 161 E/176

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

10.7.2003

(2003/C 161 E/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0109/03

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

(20 January 2003)

Subject: European Solidarity Fund for natural disasters in Catania Province

Over the last few months a variety of natural disasters (an earthquake, the eruption of Mt Etna) have struck
the province of Catania (Sicily). The resulting falls of volcanic ash have forced the lengthy closure of
Catania airport and have adversely affected fruit and vegetable production.

The disasters have had a devastating effect on all production sectors and the situation is particularly serious
in the case of agriculture and tourism.

A European Solidarity Fund for natural disasters has recently been set up. What action does the
Commission intend to take (involving use of the above-mentioned fund) in order to assist a community
which has been hit so hard and which in any case was already suffering from chronic socio-economic
decline?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(17 February 2003)

The Commission is deeply concerned about the serious repercussions that the eruption at Mount Etna is
having on the living conditions, the natural environment and the economy in the Catania Province. It is
also aware that the ongoing volcanic ash precipitation poses a health risk to many members of the local
population.

The newly created European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) (1)
is a mechanism to provide financial
assistance to eligible States in the event of a major disaster to help people, regions and countries concerned
return to living conditions as normal as possible.

The Commission would, however, like to remind the Honourable Member that the EUSF was set up to
provide assistance mainly in the event of major disasters and the eligibility criteria are rather specific. The
fund can only be utilised to provide immediate financial assistance in accordance with the qualifying
criteria outlined in the EUSF Regulation. Intervention can only take place to help finance making good
public damage not covered by insurance. It cannot cover economic losses (e.g. of farmers or in the tourism
sector).

Also, this Fund cannot be employed at the initiative of the Commission, an application for assistance to
mobilise the fund must be made by the national government of the country.

The Commission received a formal request from the Italian authorities on 13 January 2003 to mobilise the
Solidarity Fund.

The Commission is now in the process of examining this request on the basis of the information received
and will respond as quickly as possible in accordance with the requirements of the Regulation.

The Commission is however prepared to examine any proposal from the Italian authorities regarding
the Sicily region’s operational programme for 2000-2006 with a view to
possible amendment of
concentrating resources on measures capable of responding in a targeted and efficient manner to the most
serious problems.

Additional resources might also be available under the performance reserve. From 2004 onwards, this
reserve will be allocated to the programme on condition that the mid-term evaluation turns out to be
positive.

Moreover, specific aid may be provided under Community support for rural development to restore
production capacity damaged by natural disasters and to introduce appropriate preventive instruments.

10.7.2003

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Official Journal of the European Union

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In the case of Sicily, this support (cid:1) part-financed by the Guidance Section of the European Agricultural
Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (cid:1) was provided for under the Sicilia regional operational
programme for 2000-2006 under Objective 1 of the Community Structural Funds.

Under that programme, measure 4.15, action C) provides for possible assistance in the event of a natural
disaster to support inter alia investment in infrastructure (other than on the agricultural holding) required
for the active defence of production, and to support investment for recovering and restoring multi-annual
crops, animals, buildings and infrastructure, machinery and equipment.

This measure could be implemented through public financing of around EUR 20 million, with the EAGGF
contributing EUR 10,4 million.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund,

OJ L 311, 14.11.2002.

(2003/C 161 E/182)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0117/03

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 January 2003)

Subject: Urgent measures to stimulate innovation in the European regions

The European Union is experiencing increasing difficulties in becoming the world’s leading economic
player by the year 2010. Along with the structural problems afflicting it, such as high unemployment and
low productivity,
innovation, which is
preventing it from being as or more competitive than the United States or Japan.

is falling worryingly behind in the field of

technological

it

Urgent measures must therefore be taken to stimulate innovation in the European regions, not only in the
Member States, but also in the candidate countries, starting with fulfilment of the commitment the EU
leaders gave in Barcelona to dedicate 3 % of GDP to investment in research and development.

What strategy is the Commission proposing for campaigns to spur the whole of the Community economy
to develop a genuine policy of
future
Community actions?

innovation as one of the top priorities in all

technological

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 2003)

The Structural Funds of the Union represent the principal financial instruments to encourage innovation in
the regions. Via the Structural Funds, the Union is making an important contribution to increasing
competitiveness in accordance with the objectives set out by the European Council in Lisbon in the year
2000. A number of general and specific actions can be highlighted in this regard.

First, in the current programming period, 2000-2006, some EUR 9 billion are earmarked for Research,
including research projects based in
Technological Development and Innovation (R & TDI) support,
universities and research institutes, technology transfer involving less favoured regions, provision of
R & TDI
training for researchers, establishing business networks and
partnerships between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and developing the knowledge base. Out
of this total, more than EUR 6 billion will fund actions in the less developed regions eligible under
Objective 1 of the Structural Funds.

infrastructures and equipment,

Second, the Commission is also active in the promotion of regional innovation strategies and action plans
(‘RIS & RITTS’) in over 100 regions, helping regional authorities to establish public-private partnerships in
this field.