WRITTEN QUESTION E-0452/04 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission. INFO 2000 programme.
Date: 2004-02-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, action programme, communications industry, multimedia

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/793

These mechanisms guarantee strong protection for the euro banknotes and coins against counterfeiting,
through enhanced collaboration across countries and disciplines and intense training at national, European
and international level.

The Commission is currently committing significant resources to the complete implementation of the
Community acquis regarding the protection of the euro in the new Member States. Particular emphasis is
put on combating the rising threat of euro counterfeits coming from countries outside the EU.
The establishment of joint investigation teams among Member States, with the involvement of Europol,
is enhancing actions by law enforcement agencies.

The Commission, in collaboration with Member States and the other European institutions and bodies, is
also working to ensure complete implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001, particularly Article 6
regarding the obligations of credit institutions.

Finally, communication action is being intensified by the European Central Bank and the Commission, as
regards the protection of the euro.

The Commission will continue to take all necessary initiatives to reinforce the protection of euro
banknotes and coins against fraud and counterfeiting.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001 of 28 June 2001 laying down measures necessary for the protection of the
euro against counterfeiting, OJ L 181, 4.7.2001, Council Decision of 29 April 1999 extending Europol’s mandate
to deal with forgery of money, OJ C 149, 28.5.1999.

(2) Council Framework Decision of 29 May 2000 on increasing protection by criminal penalties and other sanctions

against counterfeiting in connection with the introduction of the euro, OJ L 140, 14.6.2000.

(3) Council Decision 2001/923/EC of 17 December 2001 establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme

for the protection of euro against counterfeiting OJ L 339, 21.12.2001.

(2004/C 84 E/0890)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0452/04

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: INFO 2000 programme

The multiannual Community programme INFO 2000, covering a period of four years, aimed to encourage
the development of the European multimedia content industry and to contribute to the professional, social
and cultural development of European citizens.

Can the Commission indicate what actions to support the programme have been initiated, giving details of
the sums allocated?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2004)

The INFO 2000 programme to stimulate the supply and use of multimedia was adopted in 1996 (1) and
ended in 1999. A final evaluation of the programme and its impact assessment was carried out in the year
2000. The results were communicated to the Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee
the Regions in May 2001 (2). The evaluation report
and the Committee of
(http://
www.cordis.lu/econtent/studies/studies.htm).
the programme implementation,
149 actions were supported for EUR 68,6 million, broken down as follows:

In the four years of

is available at:

C 84 E/794

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

Expenditure under the INFO 2000 Programme (1996-1999)

(million euros)

Expenditure

Action line 1:
Stimulating demand and raising awareness

Action line 2:
Exploiting Europe’s public sector information

2.1 Developing policies to access and exploit European public sector information

2.2 Linking directories to public sector information

2.3 Making use of content resources in the public sector

Action line 3:
Triggering European multimedia potential

3.1 Catalysing high-quality multimedia content

3.2 Trading multimedia intellectual property rights

Action line 4:
Support actions

4.1 Observing and analysing the multimedia content market

4.2 Spreading the use of multimedia content standards

4.3 Encouraging skills development at European level

Source: INFO 2000 final evaluation.

15,6

13,8

0,9

3,2

9,6

34,2

31,2

3,0

5.0

2,9

0,6

1,5

Total

68,6

(1) Council Decision 96/339/EC of 20 May 1996 adopting a multi-annual Community programme to stimulate the
development of a European multimedia content industry and to encourage the use of multimedia content in the
emerging information society (INFO 2000), OJ L 129, 30.5.1996.

(2) COM(2001) 276 final.

(2004/C 84 E/0891)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0462/04

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: Guinea-Bissau (cid:1) Commission support

In reply to my question E-3129/03 (1), the Commission revealed that within the framework of the Cotonou
Agreement, it would be exploring how to exercise a positive influence on developments in Guinea-Bissau.

The press report that the UN Development Programme (UNDP) recently set up an emergency fund to help
Guinea-Bissau re-establish the social services affected by the virtually permanent state of crisis that has
prevailed since 1998.

Part of the USD 18,3 million made available will be used to pay workers in the health and teaching
sectors, which have been rendered inoperable due to lack of funds.

The Netherlands and Portugal are amongst the countries which have already contributed to the UNDP
Fund, so that life in Guinea-Bissau can regain a certain degree of normalcy, and the legislative elections of
March 2004, the first for four years, will not be cancelled.

The Council, for its part, has recently issued a statement on the situation in Guinea-Bissau, which is overall
positive and hopeful.