WRITTEN QUESTION E-0742/04 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Regional impact of the Growth Initiative.
Date: 2004-03-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community of Valencia, EU growth strategy, knowledge economy, region-EU relationship, regional government, structural policy, trans-European network

C 88 E/526

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

VAT fraud cases in the framework of article 280 of the EU Treaty. OLAF’s Intelligence Directorate and
Magistrates’ Unit also provide their respective support to Member States during the investigation and
judicial phases of operational casework.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1798/2003 of 7 October 2003 on administrative cooperation in the field of value

added tax and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 218/92, OJ L 264, 15.10.2003.

(2) Decision No 2235/2002/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 3 December 2002 adopting a Community
programme to improve the operation of taxation systems in the internal market (Fiscalis programme 2003-2007)
OJ L 341, 17.12.2002.

(2004/C 88 E/0539)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0742/04

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 March 2004)

Subject: Regional impact of the Growth Initiative

The purpose of the European Growth Initiative adopted by the European Council in December 2003 is to
align the EU economy with the objectives laid down in the Lisbon Strategy, i.e. to turn it by 2010 into the
world’s most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy.

How can regional governments contribute to the structural reforms designed to bring about greater
competitiveness, promote full employment and enable environmental challenges to be met? Has this
regional dimension been taken into account in the planning of the Growth Initiative?

Has the Commission carried out a region-by-region assessment of the impact which the Growth Initiative
is likely to have? If it has, what is the situation regarding the Valencia region in Spain?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 2004)

The aim of the European Initiative for Growth is to contribute to the achievement of the objectives laid
down in the Lisbon Strategy, namely by stimulating investment both in Trans-European transport and
energy networks and in a knowledge-based society. To this end,
the projects, programmes and
technologies listed in the Communication from the Commission ‘A European initiative for growth (cid:1)
Investing in Networks and Knowledge for Growth and Jobs’ (1) have been identified.

The Commission has not carried out a region-by-region assessment of the impact which the Growth
Initiative is likely to have. With respect to the projects and programmes in the context of the Trans-
European transport and energy networks, the aim is to improve trans-border connections and capacities as
well as to cope with actual or potential bottlenecks and connecting all regions in Europe to these
networks.

The Broad Economic Policy Guidelines, Internal Market Strategy and the Employment Guidelines and
Recommendations point to several areas where further structural reforms would deliver more and better
jobs, increased productivity and thus higher growth. Regional governments can, in particular, contribute
by redirecting their public expenditures and investments towards growth and employment enhancing
projects, by ensuring efficient implementation of their investment programmes and by seeking a higher
leverage of public support on private investment.

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/527

For a large number of regional governments, investment programmes are in part co-financed by the EU
Structural Funds. Their current mid-term evaluation provides an opportunity for reorientation and quality
improvement. Better targeting would be further ensured by the future reform of the structural funds,
including the European Social Fund, aimed at reinforcing the Lisbon and Gothenburg agendas by focusing
on competitiveness, sustainable development and employment, as proposed by the Commission in its
Communication ‘Building our common future: policy challenges and budgetary means of an enlarged
Union 2007-2013’ (2) and in the third Cohesion report.

(1) COM(2003) 690 final.
(2) COM(2004) 101 final.

(2004/C 88 E/0540)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0744/04

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 March 2004)

Subject: Encouraging the participation of SMEs in innovative and R & D projects

Does the Commission hold any information concerning the number of, and the level of funding for,
projects involving European SMEs in innovative and R & D policies which have been undertaken since the
sixth R & D Framework Programme was launched?

What percentage of the total is constituted by projects involving Spanish SMEs?

In the Commission’s opinion, what would be the most suitable policy to be applied in Europe in order to
encourage European SMEs to take part in innovative and research projects, thereby reducing the gap
between them and companies in the USA?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 2004)

Under the 6th Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration 2002-
2006 (FP6) the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is strongly encouraged mainly
in the following two ways: in addition to the horizontal activities for SMEs (a budget of EUR 430 million),
at least 15 % of the budget relating to the seven thematic priorities (about EUR 1 700 million) is to be
allocated to SMEs. Realizing that SMEs are vital for Europe to make breakthrough progress in science and
technology, but also in transforming research results
the
participation of SMEs, with universities and larger corporations, is very much encouraged throughout the
Specific Programme ‘Integrating and Strengthening the ERA’, whether through Integrated Projects or the
other research instruments.

into successful products and services,

Based on the first calls for proposals (deadlines before 24 June 2003) of the seven thematic priorities of
the Specific Programme ‘Integrating and Strengthening the ERA’ of FP6, implemented through four main
instruments (Integrated Projects, Specific Support Actions, Co-ordination Actions and Specific Targeted
Research Projects), the following indicative information is available:

(cid:1) 21,0 % of the participants in submitted proposals were SMEs (12 503 SMEs) and these SMEs have

requested 17,4 % (EUR 3 122 million) of the overall requested funding.

(cid:1) 19,0 % of the participants in the main-listed proposals (proposals selected for funding) were SMEs
(2 158 SMEs) and these SMEs have requested 14,4 % (EUR 449 million) of the overall requested
funding. For clarity, this figure becomes 13 % when the other instrument Networks of Excellence are
taken into account.