WRITTEN QUESTION E-3293/03 by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission. Structural Funds.
Date: 2003-11-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, Structural Funds, distribution of EU funding, information, management, regional and local authorities

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/255

In relation to question 5 of Written Question E-1022/02, the Commission would like to express that it is
aware that in a number of Member States there are serious shortages of captains. It is confident that on the
basis of the judgements of the Court this situation should be improved via cross-border mobility.

In relation to Written Question E-2069/01 by Mr Martens and others, the Commission would like to
express that, very recently, its attention was drawn to a possible new problem of recognition of diplomas
of masters. On the basis of requested additional information the Commission will assess this issue. If the
Honourable Members have additional information about this aspect, they are invited to send it to the
Commission.

As a follow-up to the judgements of the Court, the Commission intends to monitor closely the
including where appropriate by bringing

3.
correct application of this jurisprudence by Member States,
matters before the Court on the basis of Article 226 of the EC Treaty.

(2004/C 78 E/0255)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3283/03

by Francesco Speroni (NI) to the Commission

(30 October 2003)

Subject: Bananas

A type of fruit called ‘bananito’ is on the market in Padania (and probably in other places in the EU).
According to the website ‘www.baby-banana.com’ indicated on the packages, this fruit belongs to a species
of banana no greater than ten centimetres in length.

Could the Commission indicate whether or not this type of fruit is governed by Regulation 2257/94 (1)?

(1) OJ L 245, 20.9.1994, p. 6.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 November 2003)

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that the products to which he refers, the so-called
‘bananitos’ or ‘baby bananas’, are bananas 8 to 12 cm long belonging to the subgroups Sweet Fig (AA) and
Fig Apple and Apple-Prata (AAB). Varieties of these subgroups are not covered by the quality standards set
out in Annex I to Commission Regulation (EC) No 2257/94 of 16 September 1994 laying down quality
standards for bananas. These apply only to bananas of varieties of the Musa (AAA) spp subgroups
Cavendish and Gros Michel. For bananas of other varieties it is only the general foodstuff marketing
requirements that have to be observed (plant and public health standards, labelling rules etc.).

(2004/C 78 E/0256)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3293/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(7 November 2003)

Subject: Structural Funds

Does the Commission keep records or have a breakdown of the amount and type of Structural Funding
allocated to EU constituencies, regions or cities that can be made available to MEPs? Are there, for
example, centrally kept records for such funds for London in the UK, specifically for the London Boroughs
of Islington, Hackney and Waltham Forest?

C 78 E/256

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2003)

Of the programmes financed under the Structural Funds for the period 2000-2006, it is principally those
that are cofinanced under Objectives 1 and 2 that are targeted geographically. Under Objective 2, which
intervenes in London, assistance is concentrated on the worst-affected areas at sub-regional level. In the
case of London, the Objective 2 programme covers 95 wards in 13 London Boroughs, including parts of
Waltham Forest and Hackney. No areas in the London Borough of Islington are covered under the
Objective 2 programme.

In accordance with General Regulation 1260/99 (1), the Objective 2 programme is subject to management
and control, monitoring and evaluation as a single entity and, accordingly, the Commission has no
information on the break-down of the Structural Funds between the Boroughs concerned.

The Honorable Member may wish to contact the Management Authority for the London Objective 2
programme (2) in order to explore the possibility of obtaining financial data at sub-programme level.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds,

OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2) Government Office for London European Unit, Riverwalk House, 157/161 Millbank, London SW1P 4RR, tel. 0044-

207-217-3067, fax 0044-207-217-3461.

(2004/C 78 E/0257)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3304/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(10 November 2003)

Subject: Monitoring racial and ethnic discrimination at border controls

Could the Commission please tell me whether there has been any discussion on border controls and the
monitoring of racial and ethnic discrimination at border controls? If not, could the Commission initiate
such a study?

Can the Commission tell me if the European Union Monitoring Centre has any remit to examine this
issue?

There is much prima facie evidence that people of non-white racial or ethnic origin are stopped more
often at border controls. I have been contacted by a constituent who has been stopped and treated unfairly
at the airport in Tallinn. Does the Commission agree that this issue is particularly important with the
enlargement of the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2003)

Until now, specific monitoring of racial and ethnic discrimination in the context of border controls has not
taken place. The Commission deals with individual complaints concerning such alleged discrimination on a
case by case basis.

Should it prove necessary, for instance due to an increase in the number of complaints, the Commission
would certainly consider initiating a study to analyse the incidence of racial and ethnic discrimination in
the context of border controls in the Union.

Studying this issue would clearly fall under the remit of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and
Xenophobia. Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1035/97 of 2 June 1997 (1) establishing this centre, expressly
provides that free movement of persons is one of the fields in which the Centre shall collect information
and data and conduct surveys and studies on phenomena of racism and xenophobia.