WRITTEN QUESTION P-1808/03 by Philip Bradbourn (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Communication COM(2002) 709 final (C5-0202/2003), Target-based tripartite contracts.
Date: 2003-05-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU competence, EU policy, competence of the Member States, governance, power of implementation, relations between the State and the regions

C 58 E/98

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2004

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(30 July 2003)

The north Ionian axe, from Antirio to Ioannina, as well as the section of the PATHE axe from Athens to
Malliakos, form together a concession scheme which has been tendered by the Greek Authorities in
autumn 2001. The phase of the preselection of candidates within this tendering procedure was completed
in autumn 2002. At present, the final tender documents and terms are being prepared by the Greek
Authorities for this concession scheme.

The by-passes of the cities of Agrinio, Arta and Philipiada, are important sections of the north Ionian axe.
They have a total length of 52,5 kilometres (km), and they are now under construction as public works.
They are co-financed by the Community Support Framework, 2000-2006, and by the Cohesion Fund,
2000-2006. On the basis of the information given by the Greek Authorities and the relevant funding
decisions in the case of the Cohesion Fund, the projects should be completed by the end of 2007.

For information regarding the second and third points of his question, the Honourable Member is asked to
refer to the answer given by the Commission to the Written Question P-0386/03 of Mr Averoff (1).

The socio-economic feasibility assessment for the RIO-Antirio bridge undertaken by the Commission and
the European Investment Bank yielded a positive result taking into account the traffic data and projections,
and the capacity of existing transport infrastructures in Epirus, Western Greece and Peloponnese. New
transport infrastructure be completed under the Community Support Framework and the Cohesion Fund,
2000-2006, including the north Ionian axe are also expected to enhance the viability of the RIO-Antirio
bridge.

(1) OJ C 222 E, 18.9.2003, p. 194.

(2004/C 58 E/113)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1808/03

by Philip Bradbourn (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 May 2003)

Subject: Communication COM(2002) 709 final (C5-0202/2003), Target-based tripartite contracts

With regard to the European Commission Communication (1), will the Commission please confirm that the
tripartite contracts and agreements referred to will not override the powers and prerogatives of Member
States in terms of bypassing national economic and social objectives and controls on public expenditure
and also national policies and constitutional arrangements in Member States in respect of their own
regional and local authorities?

(1) COM(2002) 709 final.

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(10 June 2003)

The Commission can confirm that, pursuant to the Commission communication of December 2002 to
which the Honourable Member refers, involvement by the Member States (central government) is a sine
qua non for the establishment of a target-based tripartite contract or agreement.

‘Since the aim is

In particular, when the communication was adopted, the Commission made its position known in the
following terms:
the clear
identification of local actors to be included in the contract or agreement is an important condition for
success. This identification requires the involvement of the Member States,
if only to ensure that the
contract or agreement is compatible with constitutional, legislative and administrative provisions in force
in each Member State.’

to develop experience and encourage involvement,

It is the Commission’s firm intention to abide by these guidelines on compliance with Member States’
constitutional arrangements when implementing target-based contracts and agreements.