WRITTEN QUESTION No. 318/98 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS , Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Commission aid for newspapers in the Cyclades
22. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 402/9 (98/C 402/008) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0318/98 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) and Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Commission aid for newspapers in the Cyclades (17 February 1998) Representatives of the Association of Cyclades Island Press Owners in Greece say that in 1997 the Commission had approved a sum of Drs. 90 million as aid for Cyclades island newspapers. Will the Commission say: 1. 2. 3. Is this information correct? If so, has the money been allocated to those entitled to it? If not, is there any possibility of financial aid of this kind? Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1998) The Commission would inform the Honourable Members, after checking with its Office in Athens and looking at the central accounts at headquarters, that it did not grant a subsidy to the Cyclades island newspapers as part of its information policy. Under this policy there is no provision for direct or indirect aid for the European press. Relations with the press are confined to: › purchase of space for articles on Union policies, commonly off-prints; › training journalists in European issues by organising visits and in-service training courses. In-service training courses are financed by framework contracts with the Maastricht Journalism Centre or the European Journalistsí association. (98/C 402/009) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0320/98 by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission (17 February 1998) Subject: Bulgaria What action is the Commission taking to raise concerns about the growing humanitarian crisis in Bulgaria during the on-going negotiations with the country? With reference to the Bulgarian orphanages and the short-term aid being provided, what is the Commission doing to assist with action necessary in the longer term? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (13 March 1998) The Community principally through the Phare programme and European Community humanitarian office (ECHO), has continued to provide substantial social and humanitarian assistance to Bulgaria during 1997-1998. During the course of 1997, the Commission and Bulgarian authorities agreed two packages of 20 MECU each (ESAP1 and ESAP2) for the channeling of direct financial assistance to particularly poor households and to selected socio-educational institutions managed by the ministries of labour, education and health including a significant number of orphanages and specialist institutions for children. ESAP2, which is still in operation, also comprises a significant job-creation project via urban renovation projects in five selected municipalities