WRITTEN QUESTION P-0713/03 by Miguel Martínez Martínez (PSE) to the Commission. Funding allocated to the programme El Sentido de los pueblos: La mujer rural protagonista.
Date: 2003-03-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EAGGF Guidance Section, EU financing, coordination of financing, participation of women, project management, rural development

C 222 E/230

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.9.2003

Is the Commission aware of the fact that the Vietnamese authorities are stepping up repressive legislation?
What measures has it taken or does it intend to take so as to prevent European tax payers’ money being
used to fund such anti-democratic measures? Do the Commission and the Member States tend to continue
to support the ‘legal reform in ten years’ strategy if Vietnam blatantly continues to misuse EU funds
destined for legal reform?

(1) OJ C 155 E, 3.7.2003, p. 206.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(26 March 2003)

The Commission is aware of the legislative and administrative measures referred to in the question and
that both the measures and the manner of their application (cid:1) which for a number of them has not yet
begun (cid:1) will need to be monitored closely in cooperation with the representatives of the Member States in
Vietnam. In the mean-time, the Commission has already received a report that Decision No 28 may be
reviewed by the Government of Vietnam.

The Commission can assure the Honourable Member that
its procedures for the preparation and
implementation of Community-Vietnam Cooperation projects and programmes ensure that there is no
possibility of Community funds being applied for any purpose other than those approved by the
Commission. The Commission remains of the view that its participation, together with other international
donors including Member States,
in the preparation of the Legal Needs Assessment will contribute
positively to the development of a modern and effective legal system in Vietnam.

The Commission, together with the representatives of the Member States, will continue to follow closely
the human rights situation in Vietnam and to raise specific concerns with the Government of Vietnam as
appropriate.

(2003/C 222 E/260)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0713/03

by Miguel Martínez Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(4 March 2003)

Subject: Funding allocated to the programme ‘El Sentido de los pueblos: La mujer rural protagonista’

In around December 1999 the Commission approved a programme co-financed with EAGGF funds
entitled ‘El Sentido de los pueblos: La mujer rural protagonista’
(‘Village feeling: rural women as
protagonists’), which was promoted and implemented by the Spanish Federation of Rural Women
(FEMUR).

Can the Commission say what amount of funding has been allocated to this programme and what stage
has been reached in its implementation?

Does the Commission know whether the organisation FEMUR has received Community funding for any
other of its programmes?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2003)

As the Honourable Member states, on 7 December 1999 the Commission approved the pilot project
‘El Sentido de los pueblos: La mujer rural protagonista’ under Article 8 of Council Regulation (EC) No 4256/
88 (1) laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 (2), as regards the EAGGF
Guidance Section, which includes pilot projects for promoting rural development.

18.9.2003

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 222 E/231

The planned Community financial contribution was EUR 740 745 from the EAGGF Guidance Section, and
the project was to last from 1 December 1999 to 30 November 2001. The beneficiary was the federation
of rural women in Spain (FEMUR). On 2 October 2001, the Commission approved an extension of the
deadline for the project until 30 September 2002.

Two initial payments totalling EUR 518 521 were made for this project.

The Commission has recently received documents on the closure of the project, which it is considering.

When considering the pilot project prior to approval, the Commission asked FEMUR whether it was
receiving other Community finance. FEMUR was receiving Community part-financing of ESP 35 782 425
(EUR 215 000) from the European Social Fund under the NOW programme for a project entitled ‘GEA (cid:1)
Employment
initiatives for women in rural areas’, which was to run from 12 January 1998 to
31 December 1999. The beneficiary gave details of the projects and undertakings that overlap would be
avoided. When it considers the dossier for closure, the Commission will check that all the conditions for
the eligibility of the pilot project have been complied with.

(1) OJ L 374, 31.12.1988.
(2) OJ L 185, 15.7.1988.

(2003/C 222 E/261)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0731/03

by Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza (PSE) to the Commission

(11 March 2003)

Subject: Late payment directive

On 29 June 2000 Directive 2000/35/EC (1) which laid down measures combating late payment
in
commercial transactions was adopted. The deadline for transposing it was 8 August 2002. Apparently,
various Member States have still not transposed the Directive; which countries are concerned, and what
action does the Commission intend to take? Is the Commission aware of the negative impact that the
failure to transpose the directive is having on SMEs?

(1) OJ L 200, 8.8.2000, p. 35.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(28 March 2003)

At the beginning of March 2003, three Member States have failed to communicate to the Commission
their transposition of the Directive mentioned by the Honourable Member. They are: Greece, Spain and
Luxembourg.

The Commission is conscious of the negative effects of late payments upon small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) in particular. The Late Payments Directive is an important element in Community’s
policy of supporting and promoting small and medium-sized enterprises in the Union.

Accordingly, the Commission is pursuing infringement proceedings against the above mentioned Member
States. Infringement proceedings began on 30 September 2002, and the second stage was opened on
6 February 2003, when the Commission sent out its Reasoned Opinions to the infringing Member States.

The Commission hopes that the Member States concerned will now transpose under the Directive as
quickly as possible.