WRITTEN QUESTION E-3883/03 by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission. Alcatel Italia: Community funding for telecommunications.
Date: 2003-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, Italy, Structural Funds, information technology, innovation, telecommunications industry

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/257

The drought of 2003 has taken its toll in considerably higher production costs (as much as 32 % higher
than previous years), especially for irrigation, as well as in a marked fall in average production, serving to
confirm the significant reduction in maize producers’ incomes.

The situation of maize producers is already highly vulnerable, and could become disastrous if further
unplanned events (classifiable as force majeure) occur to compound the effects of the expected 18,6 % cut.

What action will the Commission take to restore equilibrium in the maize-producing areas?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 2004)

Concerning the request, not to apply (cid:1) as an exceptional derogation for 2003 (cid:1) the aid reductions per
hectare (ha) caused by an excess production of the separate base area for maize in Italy, it is to be noted
that the aim of the measures established in Article 2, paragraph 4 of Council Regulation (EC) 1251/1999
of 17 May 1999 establishing a support system for producers of certain arable crops (1), is to ensure market
balance.

The global sum of the payments distributed to farmers under the arable crop scheme is not reduced if the
area payment per ha is decreased due to an excess in the separate base area for maize in Italy but the
eligible area per farmer is reduced proportionately for all the payments granted.

Finally, regarding a possible action of the Commission in order to redress the balance of the situation of
the maize areas, Member States determine the regional base areas (Article 2, § 2 of Council Regulation (EC)
1251/1999) and have the possibility of modifying their regionalisation plan.

Concerning the bad weather conditions of the summer of 2003, which penalised farmers in Italy, it is to
be noted that the Commission urgently adopted a package of measures,
in order to help farmers to
overcome the exceptional drought.

Due to these considerations, a derogation to the above-mentioned Regulation, because of exceptional
events like this summer’s drought, is not appropriate.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2004/C 84 E/0305)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3883/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: Alcatel Italia: Community funding for telecommunications

From a restructuring plan presented by the management of Alcatel Italia S.p.A. it emerges that two Italian
plants will be closed down, although they are both at the forefront of telecom technology. However, there
are a number of Community programmes to support technological
innovation, such as the @-Europe
programme, which provides for the possibility of subsidising investments for broad-band facilities in
depressed areas by means of the ESF. Furthermore, in the context of measures to promote the development
of broad band, investments of EUR 1,680 million over five years are envisaged, to be financed partly by
European funds and partly by means of project-financing.

In view of all this, can the Commission say:

1.

to what extent Alcatel Italia may benefit from such funding;

C 84 E/258

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

2.

to what extent it may benefit
Framework Programme for Research;

from funding provided under the Galileo project and the Sixth

3. what other future financial instruments are envisaged for telecoms?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(15 April 2004)

As a provider of satellite technology, Alcatel can bid for providing the hardware necessary to build the
Galileo system. At present, Alcatel Italia is not involved in Galileo project funding. As regards the Sixth
Framework Programme for Research it can bid for funding under its various subprogrammes. So far, the
involvement of Alcatel in the Sixth Framework Programme is limited to a bid related to Strategic objectives
2.3.5 Research Networking Test-beds where Alcatel Italia is a partner of a consortium with 13 other
members (the requested grant is EUR 1 240 000).

As regards the co-financing of broadband infrastructure using the Structural Funds, the Commission has
drawn up new guidelines (1) which aim to implement the objectives of Action Plan e-Europe 2005 and
thus to contribute to the development of the information society in the most disadvantaged regions, which
would otherwise be neglected under free market conditions (rural and remote areas).

The guidelines fix general criteria and modalities of implementation for receiving support from the
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
(need for a regional strategic framework, geographical
targeting, technological neutrality and open access). This document was written for the regions in order to
including
aid the evaluation and selection of
investments in second generation mobile telephony in cases where the investment is not financially viable.

in electronic communications,

investment projects

It should be noted that the selection and management of projects fall under the exclusive competence of
the national and regional authorities whilst observing Community law and guidelines (competition, public
procurement, etc.).

Article 2 (b) of the Regulation (EC) No 1783/1999 of the Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 1999
on the European Regional Development Fund (2) allows for the financing of the ‘establishment and
development of trans-European networks in the area of telecommunication’. Moreover, the Commission’s
guidelines of 28 July 2003 do specify that Structural Funds should support regions in strengthening the
demand side of the information society, especially the capacity of firms and institutions to effectively use
Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The emphasis is on infrastructure and not on operational costs.

It has to be pointed out that it is up to the Managing Authority of a given Member State to approve the
ICT projects to be funded under Structural Fund Programmes.

(1) SEC(2003) 895.
(2) OJ L 213, 13.8.1999.

(2004/C 84 E/0306)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3885/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: Alcatel Italia: possible checks on funding granted by the EU

The multinational firm Alcatel is, as regards turnover, the territory it covers and its number of employees,
one of the world’s largest producers of public and private telecommunications equipment. In Europe too it
is well-represented, with a branch in nearly every EU country. However, in the last few months Alcatel