WRITTEN QUESTION P-0239/03 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Budget overruns in construction of Attiki Odos motorway.
Date: 2003-01-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Regional Development Fund, Greece, budget appropriation, operational programme, project management, road building

C 161 E/200

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

10.7.2003

In the field of pensions, to which the open method of coordination was applied for the first time in 2002,
the joint objectives include promoting equality between men and women. The Commission’s review shows
that the differences in the levels of pension received by men and women particularly reflect differences in
their occupational pathways. However, the Commission notes that the Member States are gradually
adapting their pension systems to the changes in the socio-economic roles of men and women, working
towards greater equality, especially by giving better recognition to atypical employment for pensions
purposes.

As regards employment, the Commission’s Communication on the future of the European Employment
Strategy (3) proposes intensifying efforts to reduce structural inequalities between men and women on the
labour market and promoting conditions which make it easier for both men and women to reconcile work
and family life. Quantified objectives are set for women’s employment rates (cid:1) 60 % by 2010 (cid:1) and for
childcare services.

The open method of coordination on social inclusion enables the Member States, with active support from
the Commission, to advance together towards jointly formulated objectives, exchanging best practice. At
the Commission’s suggestion, the Council has integrated the gender dimension more fully in the set of
joint objectives on which the 2003 National Action Plans will be based.

The Commission considers that the action described above contributes effectively, within the limits of the
Union’s powers in this area, to promoting application of the provisions of the Charter of Fundamental
Rights referred to by the Honourable Member.

Joint Report on Social Inclusion (Commission and Council (cid:1) 2001), COM(2001) 565 final.

(1)
(2) COM(2002) 737 final.
(3) COM(2003) 6 final.

(2003/C 161 E/209)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0239/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Budget overruns in construction of Attiki Odos motorway

(28 January 2003)

Will the Commission say what appropriations were earmarked for the construction of the Attiki Odos
motorway? What budget overruns have been noted to date (in total and by sector) and what are the
reasons for those overruns?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(26 February 2003)

The Attiki Odos measure is included in the Operational Program ‘Road Axes-Ports-Urban Development
2000-2006’, and is a major project as defined in Articles 25 and 26 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/
1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds (1).

The allocation under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for this project is EUR 476 million
for the period 2000-2006, corresponding to a public expenditure of EUR 951 million and a total cost,
including private contribution, of EUR 1 713 million. There is no possibility to increase the ERDF
contribution during the period.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.