WRITTEN QUESTION E-0796/03 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Bureaucracy and the EDF.
Date: 2003-03-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: ACP countries, AIDS, European Commission, European Development Fund, administration of the Institutions, health aid, infectious disease

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/599

However, the Commission’s scope for ‘specific actions’ in commercial disputes such as this is limited, in
particular when such disputes are sub judice. The foreign investor filed a lawsuit in the Czech Republic
immediately after the regulator made its disputed decision (cid:1) the lawsuit was rejected by the Prague
Municipal Court, and the Czech Constitutional Court is considering the appeal. The foreign investor is also
now about to file a claim based on the Belgium/Luxembourg (cid:1) Czech Republic Bilateral Investment
Treaty. Legal proceedings must take their course. The Commission will continue to emphasise to the Czech
authorities the importance of effective supervision of a transparent and predictable regulatory framework.

(1) COM(2002) 700 final.
(2) Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by Law,
Regulation or Administrative Action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities,
OJ L 298, 17.10.1989.

(2004/C 88 E/0612)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0796/03

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 March 2003)

Subject: Bureaucracy and the EDF

Several charities and non-governmental organisations have recently criticised the freezing by the EDF of
EUR 11,2 billion earmarked for projects aimed at fighting AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as a result of
administrative problems.

Can the Commission confirm this circumstance and the figures cited?

Can the Commission explain what has been or is being done, both to resolve this situation and to ensure
that it is not repeated?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(28 April 2003)

This question is a welcome opportunity for the Commission to clarify something that appeared in the
press and that can be qualified as a major misunderstanding of the modus operandi of the European
Development Funds (EDF).

European Development Funds are put into place by the Community for the benefit of African, Caribbean
and Pacific (ACP)-countries through five-year financial protocols. Under the 6th, 7th and 8th EDF, which
were still operational until the entry into force of the 9th EDF on first April 2003, a total amount of
EUR 32,4 billion have been allocated to ACP countries (1). As of end February 2003, of this amount
EUR 29,7 billion (92 %) were committed and EUR 21,3 billion (66 %) disbursed. This means that
EUR 2,7 billion were still available for commitments (which are foreseen essentially in the course of 2003)
and EUR 11,1 billion for disbursements.

Contrary to the information referred by the Honourable Member, these funds were not earmarked for
projects aimed at fighting Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis and malaria. Funds
from the 6th, 7th and 8th EDF were allocated to national programmes, various horizontal instruments
(structural adjustment support, debt reduction, emergency assistance etc.) and to regional co-operation and
integration.

A small part of the funds allocated to regional co-operation was earmarked in 2002 for a contribution of
EUR 60 million from the EDF to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria. This amount has
indeed not yet been disbursed, because the contribution agreement is being negotiated between the Global
Fund and the Commission. In accordance with the provisions of the Cotonou agreement, the contribution

C 88 E/600

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

agreement with the Global Fund must guarantee that the contribution from the EDF will be used for the
benefit of ACP countries. We expect this contribution agreement to be concluded shortly.

A contribution of EUR 60 million to the Global Fund was also committed under the Community Budget.

(1) The total amount available under the 6th, 7th and 8th EDF, which cover also co-operation with Overseas Countries

and Territories, is EUR 32,8 billion.

(2004/C 88 E/0613)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0830/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(18 March 2003)

Subject: Use of funds from the Culture 2000 programme by the City of Frosinone

In September 2002, the monitoring committee of the Italian Ministry for Economic Affairs issued a report
on the spending of EU funds.

The report reveals the alarming slowness and inefficiency with which EU funds are allocated to projects by
some regional authorities.

The grave concerns about the inadequate use of European funds by local authorities have frequently been
echoed by the Commission.

Bearing in mind that some local authorities, such as the City of Frosinone, urgently need to use European
funds to enhance the common cultural area in all its diversity and respecting all its traditions, nurturing
professional mobility, and promoting access to and dissemination of art and culture, can the Commission
state:

1. whether the City of Frosinone has submitted projects for the Culture 2000 programme?

2. whether the City of Frosinone has secured funding for these projects?

3. whether this funding has been used?

(2004/C 88 E/0614)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0892/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(21 March 2003)

Subject: Use of funds from the Culture 2000 programme by the municipality of Fiumicino

In September 2002, the monitoring committee of the Italian Ministry for Economic Affairs issued a report
on the spending of EU funds.

The report reveals the alarming slowness and inefficiency with which EU funds are allocated to projects by
some regional authorities.

The grave concerns about the inadequate use of European funds by local authorities have frequently been
echoed by the Commission.

Bearing in mind that some local authorities, such as the municipality of Fiumicino, urgently need to use
European funds to enhance the common cultural area in all its diversity and respecting all its traditions,
nurturing creativity and professional mobility, and promoting access to and dissemination of art and
culture, can the Commission state:

1. whether the municipality of Fiumicino has submitted projects for the Culture 2000 programme?

2. whether the municipality of Fiumicino has secured funding for these projects?

3. whether this funding has been used?