WRITTEN QUESTION No. 474/98 by Richard HOWITT to the Commission. Regional Support Contracts in future structural fund programmes
21. 10. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 323/39 Concerning the alleged violation of state aid rules the German government informed the Commission with letters of 26 January 1998 and 16 February 1998 about the justification and the main components of the envisaged barrier. A first discussion between the German authorities and the Commission was held on 18 February 1998. The German government pointed out that the barrier was first of all needed for an improvement of flood protection in the adjoining area. As some questions are still open, the Commission is not yet able to take position whether the construction or certain parts of it are to be considered as state aid in the sense of Article 92 of the EC Treaty. The Commission will therefore continue investigations. In this context the current enlargement of the port of Papenburg will be addressed as well. As regards the possible infringement of environmental law, the complainants, at the request of the Commission, gave detailed information which is currently being assessed. (98/C 323/49) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0471/98 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (27 February 1998) Subject: Consultation in the production of structural fund guidelines, as agreed at the informal Council in Ireland (14-15. 11. 1996) What consultation took place with Member States and with local regional authorities, voluntary organisations and the social partners within eligible areas before the production of these guidelines for 1997-1999 in May 1997? Given that they were not referred for consultation to the European Parliament until December 1997, in what sense is the Commission ensuring meaningful consultation on this question? Does the Commission plan any changes in this respect for the new structural fund programming period: 1999-2006? Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (6 April 1998) No formal consultation took place with local and regional authorities, voluntary organisations or social partners before the production of the guidelines. However, formulation of the guidelines took close account of the comments of Member States at the informal meeting of ministers responsible for regional policy and spatial planning held in Ireland on 14-15 November 1996, as well as the Presidency conclusions on that meeting. These asked the Commission to áformulate policy guidelines, established in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, aimed at adapting the current Objective 1 and 6 programmes towards increased job-intensiveness for the period to the end of 1999í. In this regard the guidelines reflect local circumstances as well as the role of monitoring committees in deciding on adjustments to programmes (the Honourable Member is also referred to his written question E-486/98 (1)). For the new structural funds programming period, the Commission is proposing a similar approach. The explanatory memorandum accompanying the proposed regulations also sets out the Community priorities for structural policies. (1) See page 40. (98/C 323/50) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0474/98 by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Commission (27 February 1998) Subject: Regional Support Contracts in future structural fund programmes What is the Commissionís response to the proposal for Regional Support Contracts to be agreed between the Commission, Member States and designated areas as equal partners for future structural fund programmes after 1999?