WRITTEN QUESTION E-3556/03 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission. Projects co-funded by the ERDF in Lobios in Ourense, Spain.
Date: 2003-12-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU initiative, European Regional Development Fund, Portugal, Spain, cross-border cooperation, project management, regional cooperation, urban renewal

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/299

products sold in other countries (e.g. Germany) where an individual producer responsibility has been
introduced according to the directive. This would distort the common market. Another major deviation is
a requirement for a mandatory fixed visible fee (Article 16), whereas the WEEE directive (Article 8.3) says it
should be possible for producers to decide if they want to show the cost.

Is the European Commission prepared to point out to the French Government that they are on the wrong
track?

Is the Commission aware that there is a significant risk that other Member States will be tempted to follow
the French example?

(1) OJ L 37, 13.2.2003, p. 24.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(13 January 2004)

to Article 17 of Directive 2002/96/EC (1) Member States shall bring into force the laws,
Pursuant
regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the directive by 14 August 2004. They
shall immediately inform the Commission thereof.

Since France has not yet notified the Commission of any national measures transposing this Directive, the
Commission is presently not in a position to evaluate them.

With a view to ensuring the correct application of the Directive the Commission regularly discusses
implementation issues with Member States in the framework of the Committee referred to in Article 7 of
the Directive. In case of incorrect implementation of the Directive, the Commission will, of course, address
this with the Member State concerned, in line with the powers conferred to it by the EC Treaty.

(1) Directive 2002/96/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic

equipment, OJ L 37, 13.2.2003.

(2004/C 78 E/0301)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3556/03

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(1 December 2003)

Subject: Projects co-funded by the ERDF in Lobios in Ourense, Spain

The ERDF provides funding for the Prisma/SP1.E76 and Miliaria/SP1.E6 projects through the Galicia-
Northern Portugal subprogramme of
the
Autonomous Government of Galicia, is aiming to fully restore the deserted village of Outeiro, situated in
the municipality of Lobios in Ourense. The restoration will be carried out by young people with various
problems and the village is intended to become a rural tourist attraction in the future.

the Community initiative Interreg III. With both projects,

However, local people are unhappy about the lack of information from the authorities responsible and
have also expressed astonishment at the opaque way in which Community funds are managed.

Can the Commission provide detailed information about these two projects co-funded by the European
Community?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 2004)

The Commission can confirm that under the Interreg IIIA Community Initiative Spain/Portugal the ERDF is
supporting the programmes in question.

C 78 E/300

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

The contribution to Miliaria/SP1.E6 is EUR 1 600 451,75 out of a total cost of EUR 2 133 935,67 and that
to Prisma/SP1.E76 EUR 1 767 366 out of a total cost of EUR 2 356 488.

Given the volume of the detailed information we have for the Honourable Member on the two projects we
shall send it separately to her and to Parliament’s Secretariat.

(2004/C 78 E/0302)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3588/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(5 December 2003)

Subject: Mozambique (cid:1) elections

On 19 November 2003, local elections took place in Mozambique.

Arão Litsure, the chairman of the National Election Committee, claims that the elections took place
satisfactorily, despite sporadic difficulties.

However, Renamo, the major opposition party, had apparently earlier voiced suspicions of possible
electoral fraud.

These elections mark a new era in Mozambique’s political
democratic political power between Frelimo and Renamo could become a reality.

life, given that the first proper sharing of

These local elections are, furthermore, seen as a preparation for the 2004 presidential elections.

The Commission:

(cid:1) What information does it have as to just how free and fair the local election process in Mozambique

was?

(cid:1) Does it intend to support and,
technical and human resources?

if so, how? the forthcoming presidential elections with material,

(cid:1) Is it prepared to encourage the training of electoral staff in Mozambique, both professional and
voluntary, and likewise to make the population (particularly schoolchildren) aware of the rules and
values of democracy? What instruments and programmes would it use to this end?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(26 January 2004)

The Union has observed the Municipality elections of 19 November 2003. The Union Election
Observation Mission was led by Chief Observer Mr José Maria Mendiluce (Spain), a Member of the
European Parliament
the ACP-EU. The Mission
comprises a Core Team of six experts, 14 Long Term Observers (LTO) and 41 Short Term Observers (STO)
belonging to 14 Member States. In addition, Switzerland provided 4 STOs.

the Joint Parliamentary Assembly of

(MEP) and of

In his Preliminary Statement, the Union Chief Observer stated that both the electoral campaign and the
Election Day took place in a calm atmosphere free from intimidation, without any serious incidents or
irregularities to remark. The media covered the electoral contest in an adequate manner. Nevertheless,
some shortcomings in the administration of the elections should be addressed. In particular, the handling
of the voters’ lists, the way CNE operates, and complaint and appeals mechanisms.