WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2733/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Permanent failure of Greek business consultants to win contracts under the PHARE and TACIS programmes
C 102/106 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 4. 98 (98/C 102/152) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2733/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (1 September 1997) Subject: Permanent failure of Greek business consultants to win contracts under the PHARE and TACIS programmes According to a letter of protest I have received from the Federation of Greek Business Consultants, Greek business consultants are being permanently and unjustifiably excluded from economic and technical studies under the PHARE and TACIS programmes. The most recent case involves their failure to win the contract for the Economic and Technical Study for the Development of Ports in Georgiaí, despite the fact that they had scrupulously respected the instructions given by the Community. The assessment which was conducted in a summary manner points to the existence of criteria which, even though they were not mentioned in the assessment procedure, subsequently emerged as very important (for instance, the proportion of man/months to be performed in Georgia); furthermore, the announcement contained the curious expression áthe assessment will not take into account experience acquired in the TACIS countriesí. The whole selection method raises many questions regarding the transparency of the procedures. Will the Commission therefore say: 1. on what precise grounds the tenders submitted by the Greek business consultancies in respect of the above project were rejected by DG I? 2. Which consultancy or consultancies was or were eventually selected? 3. How many › and which › studies have been allocated to Greek companies within the framework of the TRACECA programme concerning transport from Central Europe to Central Asia and the revival of the Silk Route? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (30 September 1997) 1. During the evaluation in question the same criteria were applied to all bidders and the standard rules of evaluation were followed scrupulously. The evaluation committee considered that for a number of reasons the proposal of the Greek company could not be considered sufficient. The company has the right to request the Commission to supply detailed information on the result of the tender, and the Commission would be happy to answer in writing. 2. The company Hamburg Port training institute was the successful bidder. 3. Within the framework of the Traceca programme, there have been contracted to Greek companies a feasibility study for a grain terminal in Poty (Bangkok facility) and the supervision of the construction of rail ferry terminals in Baku and Turkmenbashi. (98/C 102/153) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2736/97 by Claude Desama (PSE) to the Commission (1 September 1997) Subject: Measures to assist flood victims During the recent heavy rains, many inhabitants of Estampuis in Belgium suffered considerable damage as a result of flooding. Can the Commission indicate whether any European resources are available to finance the road repair work required or, where appropriate, whether the countries involved have given any thought to seeking solutions to ensure that the inhabitants of this frontier zone will never again be the victims of damage caused by rainstorms?