WRITTEN QUESTION E-3885/03 by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission. Alcatel Italia: possible checks on funding granted by the EU.
Date: 2003-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, Structural Funds, competence of the Member States, financial control, multinational enterprise, telecommunications industry

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

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/259

Italia has announced that it wants to close the plants in Italy. The company has used structural funding to
step up employment and productivity, but it is not clear whether the funding was used to invest in the EU
or whether it was used for investments in ‘emerging’ countries, such as China or other areas outside the
Community.

In view of all this, can the Commission say:

1.

in how many EU countries Alcatel has obtained funding;

2. what other plants in the EU may be closed down;

3. what instruments can be used to ascertain that the funding granted to Alcatel has actually been used

in EU countries, rather than countries outside the EU?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(14 April 2004)

The company Alcatel has participated in research projects funded through the Fifth research Framework
Programme (FP5) in several EU countries, as shown below:

FP5 Alcatel: Participation & Contribution by Country

Country

AT (cid:1) Austria

BE (cid:1) Belgium

DE (cid:1) Germany

DK (cid:1) Denmark

ES (cid:1) Spain

FR (cid:1) France

GR (cid:1) Greece

IT (cid:1) Italy

Number of participations
by Alcatel companies
in EU-funded
projects

EU financial contribution
to Alcatel companies
in funded
projects

3

31

19

1

5

53

1

2

429 397

12 942 524

8 236 949

0

2 023 542

26 704 207

248 476

850 010

Grand Total

115

51 515 105

In the case of financing from the ERDF, the Commission would draw the Honourable Member’s attention
to the fact that Structural Funds co-finance multiannual programmes based on growth strategies agreed
between the regions eligible under Community regulations, the Member States and the Commission, with
these regions. The selection and
the aim of promoting growth and the economic development of
management of projects falls under the exclusive competence of the national and regional authorities
whilst observing Community guidelines and law.

With regard to the checks on funding, this is primarily the responsibility of the Member States, which are
required to set up systems to monitor the use of the Funds. However, the Commission also has the power
to monitor the Funds under Article 38 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 (1). Furthermore, it is up
to the Member States to inform the Commission of a change of location in a productive activity financed
by the Funds, given that this change could involve a reduction in Community contributions (Article 30 of
Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999).

C 84 E/260

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

the results of the projects be exploited commercially or used in further research,

Concerning the funding obtained from the Framework Programmes, the provisions of FP5 contracts
required that
in
accordance with the interests of
the Community and in compliance with international agreements
concluded with the Community. Although under the Sixth Framework Programme the contract requires
contractors to use the results in accordance with their interests, the Community can object to any transfer
of ownership or provision of access rights to third parties if such a transfer is not in accordance with the
interests of developing the competitiveness of the dynamic, knowledge-based European economy or is
inconsistent with ethical principles.

(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.

(2004/C 84 E/0307)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3897/03

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 December 2003)

Subject: Unsustainable fishery by-catches

Have proposals for a requirement for fishing fleets across the world to make use of the latest by-catch
exclusion technology been put to the UN Committee on Fisheries (COFI) by EU Member States? What, if
any, coordination took place between Member States prior to making such submissions?

What role will the Commission play in coordinating proposals by EU Member States to the next meeting
of the UN Committee on Fisheries (COFI) for the use by fishing fleets across the world of by-catch
exclusion technology?

What will be the timetable for the submission and coordination of such proposals?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 2004)

According to information available to the Commission, no Member State has made any approach in
connection with utilisation of by-catch exclusion technology by fleets worldwide to the United Nations
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in preparation for the next COFI Session in 2005.

This is in any case a matter where authority to act belongs to the Community alone and any approach
would have to be made by the Commission following definition of a Community line of action with the
Council.

As we have already indicated in our reply to the Honourable Member’s Written Question No 3359/03 (1),
although the subject definitely merits attention the resources at present available to the Commission are
such that it is unlikely, given the CFP priorities already set for 2004, that such an initiative could be
mounted. For the Commission to be able to ask for a proposal to be put on the agenda for the next COFI
it would have to be prepared before this summer along with all the technical and financial background
information needed to make FAO acceptance likely.

(1) See page 59.