WRITTEN QUESTION P-3153/03 by Evelyne Gebhardt (PSE) to the Commission. EU Info-Points.
Date: 2003-10-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, administrative expenditure, budget, dissemination of EU information, information centre, information network, information policy, support policy

C 70 E/194

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

20.3.2004

(2004/C 70 E/205)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3153/03

by Evelyne Gebhardt (PSE) to the Commission

(20 October 2003)

Subject: EU Info-Points

At the end of September 2003, the Commission informed the EU information centres that from January
2004, under the new Financial Regulation, overheads will no longer be subsidised. This endangers the very
existence of the Info-Points and information carrefours that have until now undeniably served citizens, the
European Parliament and not least the European Commission well. These Info-Points are essential
in
building trust between the people of Europe and the European Union institutions.

1. Why did this communication come so late and unexpectedly that those in charge of the Info-Points
and carrefours were unable to make the necessary preparations for the new situation when planning their
budget for 2004?

2. Why was no arrangement made to guarantee the survival of these valuable Info-Points, even though
the Financial Regulation the Commission is referring to has been in existence for over a year (since June
2002)?

Is the Commission prepared to introduce transitional measures to ensure the uninterrupted service of

3.
Info-Points during 2004?

4. What steps does the Commission intend to take to guarantee the lasting survival of Info-Points and
carrefours?

(2004/C 70 E/206)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3240/03

by Thierry Cornillet (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Abolition of operating grants for Europe Info-Points

(3 November 2003)

The Commission recently decided to abolish the operating grant for Europe Info-Points despite the fact
that the present juncture will be decisive for the future of the European Union.

Given the current context, i.e. the Intergovernmental Conference, national campaigns for the adoption of
the future Constitution and the forthcoming European elections, is the Commission aware that its decision
could not have come at a more inappropriate time?

Does the Commission fully realise how valuable the Europe Info-Points are in terms of providing
information and serving as communication channels with a view to bringing Europe closer to its citizens?

Moreover,
in view of the new Financial Regulation, as well as the size of the grant allocated by the
Commission, why did it not provide for a gradual reduction rather than a sudden stop, which is plunging
these offices into financial difficulty, forcing them to reduce staff and, in some cases, to close down?

(2004/C 70 E/207)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3265/03

by Maria Sanders-ten Holte (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 October 2003)

Subject: Info-Points and Carrefours

In its resolution of 13 March 2002 Parliament called on the European institutions to step up and improve
support for the existing information networks,
including the Info-Points and Carrefours. On 10 April
2003, in a follow-up resolution, Parliament drew attention to the need for extra efforts to be made in
2004 in the area of communication and information about European policies.