WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3213/97 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. Monaco's status in European Union
C 117/164 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 4. 98 2. In 1997, 33 contracts have been issued and in most cases the first payment has been made or has been ordered. It is intended to issue a further 20 contracts before the end of 1997. The delays are a result of the reorganisation mentioned above. The Commission is aware that the average time taken to process applications has increased significantly 3. since 1994. 4. The Commission has initiated a far-reaching review of the support of organisations through subsidies. Until now, support of organisations which help victims of torture has been treated as project support and subject to control in line with SEM 2000. As soon as revised guidelines for subsidies are adopted, it is hoped that it will be possible to manage torture victim support under those guidelines which will provide for more rapid and appropriate assistance than is now possible. As a general rule, the Commission has set a target that its operations of payment should be completed within 60 days (1). To deal with cases where, despite those precautions, payment has not been made within the period of 60 days, the Commission decided in June 1997 to change its policy on contracts to introduce from the 1 October 1997 creditors right to interest when payments are made late (2). This decision on payment of interest applies neither to officials nor to public authorities nor does it apply to straightforward subsidies. It covers however grants and financial contributions when there is a specific obligation laid down on the beneficiary, e. g. the obligation of submitting a report to show that the funds were spent in accordance with the objectives specified. For the longer term, the Commission is examining the possibility of extending the application of interest payment to other sectors by a modification of the Financial Regulation. (1) SEC(91) 1172, SEC(95) 1122, SEC(96) 564. (2) SEC(97) 1205. (98/C 117/223) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3213/97 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (16 October 1997) Subject: Monacoís status in European Union What official relationship does Monaco have with the European Union? Is it the Commissionís view that the Bosman ruling should not apply to the transfer of John Collins from Monaco to Celtic? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (6 November 1997) Monaco is an independent third country which is not part of the Community. However, given its special relationship with one Member State, Monaco is part of the European customs union. As regards the second part of the question, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question E-1920/97 (1). (1) OJ C 21, 22. 1. 1998, p. 121. (98/C 117/224) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3220/97 by Antonio Graziani (PPE) to the Commission (9 October 1997) Subject: Earthquake in Central Italy On 26 and 27 September an earthquake devastated Central Italy, in particular the regions of Umbria and the Marches, killing around ten people and causing serious damage not only to houses but also to buildings