WRITTEN QUESTION E-1903/03 by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Transfrontier cooperation (Interreg).
Date: 2003-06-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, administrative formalities, cross-border cooperation, economic and social cohesion, project management

C 51 E/156

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

26.2.2004

Will the Commission be establishing a mandatory observer scheme on European pelagic boats to facilitate
the gathering of data thus enabling something fuller and long-term to be done about the problem?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 July 2003)

The Commission is well aware of the problem of dead dolphins being washed ashore on the beaches of
Member States, in particular during winter around the English Channel.

According to the ‘Habitats’ Directive (1), Member States shall take measures for the protection of small
cetaceans and to ensure a favourable state of conservation of
these species (including population
assessment, monitoring of incidental killing, mitigation measures and habitat protection).

The Commission is, however, convinced that additional Community measures are needed to increase
conservation of small cetaceans,
in a consistent and co-operative
in particular in the fisheries sector,
manner at Community level.

The setting of mandatory observer schemes for different fisheries is part of a package of measures under
consideration. A Commission proposal on this issue is expected to become available in a few weeks.

In addition, the Commission also launched on 22 May 2003 an open call for tender for a study on the
impact of pelagic trawls on cetaceans through an on board observer programme (2), with the view of
having this study beginning by the end of 2003 if all the necessary conditions for engaging such a contract
are met.

(1) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora,

OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2) Open call for tender FISH/2003/09, OJ S 98, 22.5.2003.

(2004/C 51 E/173)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1903/03

by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(11 June 2003)

Subject: Transfrontier cooperation (Interreg)

The Commission’s Second Progress Report on Economic and Social Cohesion, published in January
2003 (1), confirmed the need to continue actions to promote co-operation across frontiers and within
regions. However, applying for Interreg funding is a complex process which, in particular, can inhibit
participation by smaller organisations such as those in the voluntary sector.

Could the Commission indicate what steps are being taken to simplify and increase flexibility in the future
operation of Interreg and to increase take-up by neglected sectors?

The Second Progress Report also indicated that, because of the different national administrative and legal
traditions involved, the Commission had been asked to look into the possibilities of drawing up a legal
instrument for cooperation across frontiers so as to facilitate the design and implementation of Interreg.
Could the Commission state what progress has been made in this regard?

(1) COM(2003) 34 final.

26.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 51 E/157

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 2003)

Interreg projects are carried by a wider partnership and are jointly programmed and implemented by the
various partners. These factors add more value to Interreg projects but can make them more laborious to
implement because of the division of tasks and responsibilities involved.

Interreg projects also have to comply with the provisions applicable to the Structural Funds. The projects
are particularly affected by the general effort to simplify, clarify and manage the structural policies more
flexibly, as recently covered in a Commission communication (1).

A technical secretariat has been set up for each Interreg programme to facilitate access to funding and
make it easier for potential beneficiaries to participate. One of the roles of the secretariat is to help those
sponsoring projects to draw up their presentations and proposals.

The Commission is currently going into the possibility of drafting a legal instrument on cross-frontier
cooperation to facilitate the planning and implementation of Interreg projects, as referred to in the second
progress report on cohesion. It published an invitation to tender (2) for a study on decentralised cross-
frontier cooperation and developing legal instruments for Community cooperation. The bids have been
evaluated and a contract is due to be signed soon. The first effects of the study should be seen in the third
report on economic and social cohesion due to be adopted by the Commission in December 2003.

(1) Communication C(2003) 1255 of 25 April 2003 from the Commission on the simplification, clarification,

coordination and flexible management of the structural policies in 2000-2006.

(2) OJ S 22, 31.1.2003.

(2004/C 51 E/174)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1904/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 June 2003)

Subject: Increase in Greek public debt

According to official figures the Greek public debt rose by EUR 7,3 billion to EUR 173,1 billion in the first
quarter of 2003, already exceeding the ceiling figure of EUR 171,05 billion for the end of 2003.

Can the Commission explain the reasons for this sharp increase in the Greek Government’s debt? Was it
caused by state guarantees to various organisations (which organisations and how much) or by fresh loans?
What measures are being envisaged by the Commission in cooperation with the Greek Government?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(24 June 2003)

The Commission is closely monitoring the developments in the Greek Government finances as the debt
ratio of Greece is among the highest in the Union. In fact, the Commission has repeatedly stressed the
need for more decisive policy actions aiming at a rapid reduction in the government debt, given the strong
real output growth enjoyed by the Greek economy for several years. In the 2003 State Budget and the
2002 Stability programme the central government debt is projected to be equal to EUR 171,05 billion,
whereas the general government consolidated gross debt is estimated to be EUR 150,4 billion, representing
100,2 % of the gross domestic product (GDP). According to the Commission Spring forecasts, the Greek
general government debt ratio is projected to stand at 101 % of GDP at the end of 2003.