WRITTEN QUESTION E-0471/00 by Mathieu Grosch (PPE-DE) to the Commission. JOP Programme.
28. 12. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 374 E/85 (2000/C 374 E/098) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0471/00 by Mathieu Grosch (PPE-DE) to the Commission (24 February 2000) Subject: JOP Programme 1. 2. Is it true that the Commission has decided to end the JOP Programme? If so, was it because of the difficulties encountered? If so, what were these difficulties? Alternatively, was the decision taken because of problems arising from fraud? If so, what was the 3. extent of the programmes at issue (funds allocated), compared with those which were not? 4. Will the Commission put forward another similar programme or does it take the view that the thinking behind the existing programme fails to take sufficient account of the specific needs arising in each particular case? Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission (30 March 2000) Over the years, PHARE has developed into an instrument of support for the preparation of the partner countries for their accession to the Union. The required priority actions are identified in the accession partnerships which were approved by the Council on 6 December 1999. This re-orientation of PHARE on a targeted number of accession priorities has indeed also lead to the decision to reduce the number of multicountry sectorial programmes. The decision to terminate the Joint venture programme (JOP) should be seen against this background. No other reasons were at the basis of that decision. However, support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in candidate countries continues through the new framework for investment support from PHARE to promote economic and social cohesion in the candidate countries. These actions are considered annually within the national PHARE programmes for each candidate country. Also the new pre-accession instrument Special accession programme for agricul- ture and rural development (Sapard) will, under certain conditions, be in a position to provide investment support for SMEs in order to meet the acquis requirements in the agricultural and rural development sector. In addition, PHARE funds are made available in co-operation with international financial institu- tions for providing loans to SMEs in the partner countries. (2000/C 374 E/099) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0474/00 by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission (24 February 2000) Subject: Aid for Sicilian fishermen The Sicilian Region, in accordance with regional Law No 30/1998, has introduced accompanying measures to offset the effects of temporary terminations or restrictions of fishing activities. This aid has not yet been released because the Commission has raised objections to which the Sicilian government has responded. Given that, in the past, the Commissionís opinion on the regional law in question has been favourable, can the Commission say: 1. What specific reasons lie behind the Commissionís continued refusal to authorise the Sicilian Region to release the aid to the Sicilian fishermen who have applied for it; 2. When does the Commission intend to take a decision on this matter so that the economic hardship of hundreds of people working in the fishing industry, who are already suffering as a result of not being able to work, can be alleviated?