WRITTEN QUESTION E-3997/03 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Prince/Euro programme.
Date: 2004-01-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: decision-making, distribution of EU funding, euro, project evaluation, public awareness campaign

C 78 E/888

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

The same survey also points out that only 31 % of the euro area citizens are in favour of a one-euro
banknote. Support for such a banknote only originates from two countries, where a majority (76 % in
Italy, 70 % in Greece) would welcome the introduction of a one-euro banknote. However, in the ten other
euro-area countries, there is a clear majority (exceeding 60 % in all cases and even reaching almost 90 % in
a number of countries) against the introduction of such an additional banknote.

In accordance with the EC Treaty, any decision on banknote denominations would have to be taken by the
European Central Bank (ECB) which has the exclusive right to authorise the issue of euro banknotes.
The ECB has decided to look into the matter.

(2004/C 78 E/0939)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3982/03

by Miquel Mayol i Raynal (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Political rights of the Macedonian minority in Greece

(6 January 2004)

The Macedonian minority in Greece is represented within the European Free Alliance by the Rainbow
Party (Ouranio Toxo).

Following repeated unlawful acts and threats,
conference in preparation for the European elections by Greek fascist-inspired organisations.

this party was physically prevented from holding a

Despite numerous appeals to the Greek authorities at both local and national level, the authorities have
taken no action against these organisations. The party conference, originally scheduled for 30 November
and subsequently put back to 7 December, has been postponed indefinitely because of the risks involved.

Is the Commission aware of this attack on the political rights of minorities?

Does the Commission know the reasons for the Greek authorities’ inaction on the matter?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2004)

The Commission will approach the Greek authorities for information about the facts to which the
Honourable Member refers.

It will let him have the results of its examination of the case as soon as possible.

(2004/C 78 E/0940)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3997/03

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 January 2004)

Subject: Prince/Euro programme

In May 2003 the Commission issued a call for proposals under the Prince/Euro programme. The objective
was the realisation of communication and information initiatives on the euro aimed at particular sections
of the public, in order to respond to requests for specific information on the introduction of the euro. The
total budget was approximately EUR 5 million. The Commission further expressed the intention of
granting subsidies, preferably within the EUR 50 000 to 300 000 range.

Can the Commission supply a complete list of both successful and unsuccessful candidates in respect of
these projects? Can it also provide information on the proofs supplied individually by the successful
candidates, as required by the call for proposals itself, to confirm that the EU subsidy has had the expected
publicity impact?

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/889

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2004)

One of the objectives of the Prince programme consisted in targeting specific categories of operator and
sections of the public with a view to preparing the transition to the euro. This was done by organising
transnational information initiatives involving at least three Member States (of which one formed part of
the euro area) and with a multiplier effect.

On the basis of the selection criteria (1) applied, the Commission chose 34 projects from the 158 proposals
received, i.e. 27,42 %.

With the selected recipients, the Commission reached a wide variety of information multipliers among the
sections of the public indicated in the notice:

Target group

Number of projects

Small and medium-sized entreprises

Civil society (general public)

Young people in schools (ages 6-18)

Vulnerable groups

Regional and local authorities; outermost regions

11

2

9

10

2

34

Total Projects Selected

In view of the limited internal resources it was able to mobilise, the Commission evaluated all these
projects on receiving applications and when they were completed. Reports submitted by recipients were
vetted to assess whether qualitative objectives had been met for the target groups concerned. With a view
to measuring the impact of the recipients’ activities,
the Commission asked them to use the most
widespread communication techniques (publications, CD-ROMs, conferences and seminars, website,
exhibitions, converters, brochures, posters, etc.). Compliance with the quantitative objectives (size of the
relevant target groups and volume of material disseminated) was also evaluated.

These information initiatives took place in partner countries (at least three), had a multiplier effect and, in
general, were given media coverage. The Commission takes that the view that, overall, this constitutes
evidence of completion of the planned publicity measures.

The Commission will send the full list of recipients and a list of unsuccessful candidates direct to the
Honourable Member and Parliament’s Secretariat.

(1) The ten selection criteria are listed in the call for proposals published in the Official Journal of the European Union:

(cid:1) The relevance of the project to the needs of the target audiences and the objectives of the actions;
(cid:1) The quality and consistency of the proposed means of achieving the objectives;
(cid:1) The consistency of the budget with these means; Grants obtained previously (Community contracts or loans);
(cid:1) The innovative nature of the project (objectives, methods);
(cid:1) The reality of the actions’ European transnational or transregional dimension;
(cid:1) The expected multiplier effect within the target group;
(cid:1) The presence or absence of other co-financers (cid:1) searching for other financial partners is encouraged and will be

taken into account when the files are examined;

(cid:1) The technical ability of the applicant and its partners to implement the proposed project;
(cid:1) The publicity given to the project.