WRITTEN QUESTION No. 475/99 by Paul RÜBIG The effects of the employment initiative
3. 12. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 348/77 (1999/C 348/096) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0475/99 by Paul Rübig (PPE) to the Commission (5 March 1999) Subject: The effects of the employment initiative The European Parliament placed the emphasis of the 1998 budget on the so-called ‘employment initiative’, to which EUR 150 million was allocated. The same strategy was adopted for this year, as shown in budget line B5-512 on support for SMEs. How does the Commission assess the impact of this initiative so far in the light of the conclusions of the 1. Luxembourg summit? 2. How many jobs were created or maintained by means of these funds? How should the European Union’s budgetary policy be shaped in future with a view to supporting 3. purposeful and effective employment policies in the Member States? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (28 April 1999) Given the preparation needed to get the Growth and employment programme up and running, it is too soon to assess the impact of the schemes at the level of enterprises. However, progress is being made for each of the three facilities involved. The European technology facility (EFT) start-up so far has come from funds in 13 of the 15 Member States. Financial intermediaries have been appointed in two Member States and seven other funds are presently under negotiations with the European investment fund (EIF) with more than 50 proposals being appraised. Concerning the choice of national intermediaries for the Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) guarantee facility, the EIF has taken contact with all national authorities. Two Member States have signed agreements and are already issuing guarantees. Active negotiations with intermediaries in six additional Member States are under way at present. In the Joint European venture (JEV) as of 31 March 1999 the Commission has approved 18 projects involving 36 Community SMEs. Half of the projects are in the manufacturing, environment or information technology sectors. Based on the forecasts provided by each SME, each joint venture is expected to create on average 15 jobs. The overall number of jobs created is part of the monitoring and evaluation of the facilities and will, as far as possible, be included in the annual reports by the Commission to the Parliament and Council. The first report will be issued later this year. The employment strategy establishes the orientation for priorities and focus of future employment policy at national and Community level. The main responsibility lies with Member States. The targets and objectives of the employment guidelines set the course for their action. The principal Community support will be provided by the reformed structural funds, in particular the European social fund. (1999/C 348/097) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0483/99 by Gianfranco Fini (NI) and Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission Subject: Enlargement and the Mediterranean (5 March 1999) The fear has been expressed in many quarters among the public at large, that the increase in the EU budget necessitated by enlargement to include the Central and Eastern European countries will work to the detriment of Mediterranean regions. The view being taken in other circles, however, is that enlargement offers a unique opportunity for trade between Eastern European and Mediterranean countries, helping, by means of targeted financial investment, to alleviate unemployment and regulate migration in a more rational way