WRITTEN QUESTION P-3509/03 by Helmuth Markov (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Interreg IIIA: Future funding of Euroregion offices.
Date: 2003-11-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Brandenburg, EU initiative, Lubus province, cross-border cooperation, financing method, regional cooperation, technical cooperation

C 78 E/294

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

The Commission has no reason to believe that the information collected by the Director-General as a basis
for the Board’s discussions and the resulting resolution, has not been adequate. It appreciates that Iran has
invited the IAEA to set up relevant verification mechanisms, a process the Commission believes is of
utmost importance and which will have to be followed closely.

The Commission notes that the Director-General of the IAEA is scheduled to deliver another report by mid
February 2004. It has no specific additional information about further nuclear activity on Iranian soil. The
Commission is aware of information relating to certain countries believed to have cooperated with Iran on
its nuclear programme. It is, at this stage, not yet in a position to be able to comment in any greater detail
on this matter, but looks forward to the results of the further investigations carried out by the IAEA.

(2004/C 78 E/0295)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3503/03

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(24 November 2003)

Subject: Stray dogs and the Olympic Games

According to information released by the Associated Press, last August in the Attiki region alone 3 000
stray dogs were killed in order to ‘clean up’ streets in preparation for the 2004 Olympic Games. It is the
third time this year, following the campaigns launched at the beginning of the year and in April, that such
barbarous acts have been committed.

Does the Commission intend to take action at some point to ensure adequate long-term protection for
stray domestic animals in Greece?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(22 December 2003)

The Commission would refer to its answer given on 27 February 2003 to Written Question E-0177/03 of
Mr Papayannakis (1) on the same issue.

For the additional information of the Honourable Member, the Commission is also able to state that during
a mission of the Food and Veterinary Office to Greece in September 2003, the competent authorities
indicated that there was now an official programme to deal with the stray animal problem in Athens in a
manner which respected their welfare.

(1) OJ C 161 E, 10.7.2003, p. 189.

(2004/C 78 E/0296)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3509/03

by Helmuth Markov (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Interreg IIIA: Future funding of Euroregion offices

(18 November 2003)

Euroregion offices have to date been funded under the ‘Technical Assistance’ component of the Interreg
IIIA programme. The Spree-Neisse-Bober Euroregion office has however recently learnt by means of an
oral communication from the Ministry of Economic Affairs that as of 2004 Euroregion offices will no
longer be funded under the ‘Technical Assistance’ component of the Interreg IIIA programme, but under
the programme’s cooperation funds. In addition, as of 2005 the level of funding will gradually decrease.
According to the Ministry, the reason for the change in funding arrangements is a request from the
Commission. This change in funding arrangements would cause particular problems for the Spree-Neisse-
Bober Euroregion, which includes only one administrative district in Germany. It would be impossible to
increase the membership fees of this district sufficiently to fund the office.

Has the Commission asked for the Euroregion offices to no longer be funded under the ‘Technical
Assistance’ component of the Interreg IIIA programme, but under the programme’s cooperation funds;

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Official Journal of the European Union

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What are the Commission’s general thoughts on the future work of the Euroregions, in particular in the
area concerned, which is located on a border between the EU and the accession countries?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(23 December 2003)

The Community Initiative Interreg is implemented in accordance with the Guidelines adopted by the
Commission on 28 April 2000 after consultation with the European Parliament (1). The Guidelines do not
identify the potential final beneficiaries under Interreg, although they provide a number of opportunities
for organisations such as the Euroregion offices to participate in the pursuit of the objectives of the
individual programmes.

One such possibility arises under technical assistance for preparatory, monitoring, evaluation and checking
measures necessary for implementing Interreg programmes. Euroregions can obtain support under
technical assistance insofar as they are responsible for executing such measures. It is, however, entirely a
matter for the Member States to decide how technical assistance resources are used. The Commission is
informed that Euroregion offices are not at present engaged under technical assistance under the Interreg
III programme Brandenburg-Lubuskie, although they provide advice to potential project partners.

Euroregion offices can also bid for support from Interreg III in other ways such as under the Micro Project
Facility for small projects promoting cross-border integration between peoples. In many border areas,
Euroregions are involved in such actions that also allow for support to be granted towards the costs of
Euroregion offices.

The Commission will present proposals for the future of actions to promote cooperation in the Third
Report on economic and social cohesion which will be presented to the Parliament and to the Council at
the beginning of 2004. It is therefore too early at this stage to speculate on future policy in this field.

(1) OJ C 143, 23.5.2000.

(2004/C 78 E/0297)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3530/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(28 November 2003)

Subject: Health and safety for the elderly and disabled

It has been brought to my attention that there is little provision to ensure health and safety for elderly and
disabled people in hotel bathrooms.

One of my constituents has highlighted the need for grab rails at elbow height, for example.

Could the Commission please state what measures, if any, are in place to ensure the health and safety of
elderly and disabled people in public places across the EU?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(16 January 2004)

The primary responsibility in the area of accessibility to the public built environment belongs to Member
States and most actions in the field of accessibility are effectively dealt with at national level. Nevertheless,
the Union can be a driving force for change, encouraging and pushing the public authorities in the
Member States to seize new opportunities.