WRITTEN QUESTION E-0731/03 by Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza (PSE) to the Commission. Late payment directive.
Date: 2003-03-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: infringement of EU law, national implementing measure, payment, small and medium-sized enterprises, trading operation

18.9.2003

EN

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.