WRITTEN QUESTION E-1738/03 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Energy agency for Malaga.
Date: 2003-05-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Andalusia, EU aid, energy policy, regional agency, renewable energy, terms for aid

C 58 E/90

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2004

the background of

this confusing situation, Eurostat apparently suspended all payments in
Against
February 2003 to Eurogramme and Calethon and has undertaken not to sign any new contracts with these
companies.

Are all payments for the contracts between Eurostat and companies owned by Mr Ojo still suspended? If
not, why not?

Have other Commission DGs suspended all payments to these companies? If not, why not?

Which contracts does the Commission currently have with any of the companies referred to above
(including contracts that should have ended but in respect of which the final payment has still not been
made)? Please specify the contract number, the contracting company (according to the original contract),
and the amount still to be paid.

How much money does the Commission still owe Eurogramme Limited?

Does not the Commission agree that, since contracts have been concluded with Eurogramme Limited (UK),
payments should be made only to Eurogramme Limited (UK)?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(18 June 2003)

The terms of the Commission’s undertaking of 28 February 2003 to Mr Casaca were that all payments
under current contracts to Eurogramme and Calethon would be suspended on a precautionary basis and
that the Commission would not engage in future in any contractual relationship with Calethon Sàrl/
Eurogramme Sàrl unless it is satisfied that it complies in all respects, without exception, with the
provisions laid down in the Financial Regulation.

As of 21 May 2003, all payments for the contracts between Eurostat and Eurogramme or Calethon are
suspended on a precautionary basis.

The two conditions to be met before the suspension could be lifted were specified in the Commission
undertaking of 28 February 2003:

(cid:1) examination of the circumstances of the transaction between Eurogramme and Calethon and of the

financial and operational capacity of Calethon;

(cid:1) analysis of the amounts contractually due compared to the work carried out.

Other Directorates General have suspended all payments to the companies concerned.

A table listing the contract numbers, contractors and amounts not yet paid is sent direct to the Honourable
Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat.

The Commission has contractual obligations towards Eurogramme worth EUR 292 838.

Since the end of 1996, and prior to the creation of Eurogramme S.à.r.l. in 2001, contracts were concluded
with Eurogramme Limited (succursale Luxembourg) which in the Memorial
Journal of
Luxembourg) was referred to as ‘Sàrl’. Payments for these contracts were therefore made to that entity.

(the Official

(2004/C 58 E/106)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1738/03

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 May 2003)

Subject: Energy agency for Malaga

The plan to create a provincial energy agency for Malaga (Spain)
is prompted by the objectives of
promoting and developing renewable energy sources, energy savings and efficiency and transforming
traditional structures.

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 58 E/91

The aim is to double the percentage of renewable energy in gross energy consumption, increasing the
current level from 6 % to 15 % by the year 2010.

Will the Commission say how Community aid can be secured for the setting up of the abovementioned
energy agency in connection with the multiannual programme (2003-2006) to promote renewable sources
of energy and what standard requirements the Malaga project must meet in order to be eligible for such
aid?

Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(25 June 2003)

The Intelligent Energy for Europe programme provides for aid for creating new energy agencies
(Horizontal Key Action 2: ‘Think globally, act locally’).

The Intelligent Energy for Europe work programme must be discussed with the programme committee.
Provided that the Commission proposal is not amended, the maximum level of aid will be 40-50 % of the
eligible costs. The main standard requirements will be the commitment of the local or regional authorities
to managing and financing the agency, as well as the assurance that the agency’s activities will continue for
at least five years after the Community aid has ended (which is given for three years).

When a proposal is accepted, technical assistance activities for the new agencies are provided for,
in
particular compulsory training for the agency’s staff, participation in European activities, access to
information on the activities of other agencies, exchanges of experience, participation in meetings with
contractors, etc. The Commission will evaluate the activities of the new agencies periodically and make
recommendations for improving their performance. The first call for proposals for the creation of agencies
is planned for the end of the summer, which means that the contracts could be signed in 2004.

(2004/C 58 E/107)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1741/03

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 May 2003)

Subject: White Paper on agricultural research in the European Union

The development of agricultural research is of particular importance to all Member States, since the quality
of their agricultural produce is directly linked to the results of research in this sector of vital importance to
the Community economy.

However, there is widespread ignorance as to what research is being conducted in the various countries,
and research centres in some Member States may even be investigating the same areas.

In the light of the above, will the Commission promote the drawing up of a White Paper on agricultural
research, so as to shed light on the exact state of research at national level across the Community as a
whole with a view to streamlining the sector to prevent unnecessary duplication?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(15 July 2003)

European agricultural research is based on a broad diversity of research centres and universities on national
and regional level. They face the same challenges (food safety, Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform
etc.). But cultural, economic, ecological and social conditions differ. Therefore, a research structure close to
the clients (farmers and consumers) has advantages.