Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

*|*

# 92001E0892

**WRITTEN QUESTION E-0892/01 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Subsidies for the Sensus police project.** 
  
*Official Journal 040 E , 14/02/2002 P. 0017 - 0018*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0892/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(28 March 2001)

Subject: Subsidies for the Sensus police project

Commissioner Erkki Liikanen's reply to question P-0009/01(1) was that on 25 May 1999 a new Commission decision (E/696/99) was adopted which amended the original decision in such a way as to allow Europol to take part in the Sensus project. The original decision established rules for the fourth framework programme of the European Economic Community for Community actions in the field of research, technological development and demonstration (1994-1998).

Was the original decision amended at the request of:

- EU Member States,

- law enforcement and security services such as the German federal security service (Bundesnachrichtendienst) and the front organisation, the Amt für Auslandsfragen, and/or

- Europol?

If so, what Member States or law enforcement and security services were involved?

If not, at whose request was the original decision amended by the Commission on 25 May 1999?

(1) OJ C 187 E, 3.7.2001, p. 154.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2001)

The Commission would have to point out that the original decision (Commission Evaluation Decision E/1791/97), which was amended by the new Commission decision (E/696/99) concerned the evaluation of projects for future funding and did not establish the rules for the fourth framework programme as the Honourable member indicates in his question.

Europol's anticipated involvement in Sensus is referred to in the initial project work programme. However, their participation as a contractor was delayed by the fact that Europol's charter had not been ratified by all Member States at that time, and therefore there was no legal entity that could sign a contract.

The request for a Commission decision (E/696/99) to allow Europol's involvement after its charter had entered into force - required according to Article 7, indent 8 of Council Decision 94/801/EC of 23 November 1994 adopting a specific programme for research and technological development, including demonstration in the field of telematics applications of common interest (1994 to 1998)(1), because of the status of Europol as an international organisation - was initiated by the unit responsible for the contract, according to the rules and procedures governing the Fourth Framework Programme (see the Commission's reply to the Honourable Member's written question E-1066/01(2)).

(1) OJ L 334, 22.12.1994.

(2) See p. 19.

[Top](#document1)