WRITTEN QUESTION E-2642/99 by Andrew Duff (ELDR) to the Commission. Allocation of rural development funds to Member States.
C 374 E/6 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 28. 12. 2000 Article 58 of the Association Agreements and of Article 59 of the Europe Agreements. Application of this principle is subject to the provisions of Article 55 of the Europe Agreement with Estonia, Article 56 of the Europe Agreement with Latvia and Lithuania, Article 57 of the Europe Agreement with Slovenia, Article 58 of the Europe Agreements with Hungary and Poland and Article 59 of the Europe Agreements with Romania, Bulgaria, the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic. 3. Likewise, conditions relating to specific knowledge may not be imposed only on the other Partyís nationals. It should, however, be pointed out that to date the provision in the Agreements allowing for measures to be taken for the mutual recognition of qualifications has not produced any effects. 4. Likewise, with respect to the establishment and pursuit of economic activities, conditions of a financial nature may not be imposed only on the other Partyís nationals. Some Member States, however, have similar provisions concerning the admission and residence of third-country nationals in their territory. (2000/C 374 E/006) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2642/99 by Andrew Duff (ELDR) to the Commission (12 January 2000) Subject: Allocation of rural development funds to Member States What criteria were used in determining the recent allocation of rural development funds to Member States, and what weighting was given to each of these? Why were these criteria chosen? In particular, did the previous allocation of funds under Regulations now superseded constitute one factor used in the determination and, if so, why? How was the rural population in each Member State defined? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (24 February 2000) In accordance with Article 46(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations (1), the Commission fixed the initial appropriations allocated to Member States for rural development measures part-financed by the EAGGF (Guarantee Section) áusing objective criteria which take into account particular situations and needs, and efforts to be undertaken especially for the environment, job creation and maintenance of the landscapeí. Member Statesí particular situations and needs were examined on the basis of the 1994-1999 financial allocations, taking as a reference point the average allocation by Member State during that period. Total funding for the new period was increased by nearly 20 %, whereby the appropriations over and above the previous total amount were divided among Member States according to their specific needs. This was done inter alia using statistical criteria relating to the importance of rural areas (total size of the Member State, size of rural areas, rural population) and to agricultural activity (usable agricultural area, number of holdings, agricultural employment). The árural characterí criterion (size of rural areas and rural taking into account a population density threshold of 100 inhabitants/km2 at population) was set NUTS 5 level. (1) OJ L 160, 26. 6. 1999