WRITTEN QUESTION E-1940/99 by Isidoro Sánchez García (ELDR) to the Commission. Measures implementing the new ultraperipheral policy pursuant to Article 299(2) of the Amsterdam Treaty.
20. 6. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 170 E/129 Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission (18 November 1999) The Commission feels that the question raised by the Honourable Member is primarily a matter for the Member State concerned, which is responsible for justice on its territory. Under Title IV of the EC Treaty, measures may be taken to facilitate cooperation in criminal matters. Work is currently under way on finalising a Convention on mutual assistance between the Member States in criminal matters (1). When the Convention enters into force, it should simplify and speed up cooperation, irrespective of the crimes or infringements being prosecuted. For its part, the Commission has no plans to take any initiative in this context relating specifically to counter-espionage. (1) OJ C 251, 2. 9. 1999. (2000/C 170 E/154) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1933/99 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission (4 November 1999) Subject: Progress in implementing the operational programme concerning education and initial training under the Community Support Framework for Greece From the Commissionís answer to one of my previous questions (1) it emerged that there were problems involved in implementing the operational programme concerning education and initial training under the Community Support Framework for Greece and that appropriations were moving very slowly. Can the Commission say what take-up rate of scheduled appropriations is? Have the problems associated with the implementation of the programme been overcome and, if not, to what are such long delays attributable? the current (1) H-411/97, Debates of the European Parliament (June 1997). Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (2 December 1999) There has been considerable recent acceleration in the implementation of the operational programme (OP) in question. As far as the European social fund is concerned, 100 % of the planned appropriations have now been committed and 78,86 % have already been paid to Greece. The European regional development fund (ERDF) has committed 82 % and paid 48 % of the planned ERDF credits. All ERDF credits will be committed before 31 December 1999. All national legal commitments have to be undertaken by the end of 1999, while implementation can continue until December 2001. A final internal reprogramming of the OP Education and initial trainingí will be made in this year, with a view to correcting programming and ensuring full absorption of all available credits. Most of the problems of the past, which had seriously delayed the financial programme, seem to have been overcome. implementation of the (2000/C 170 E/155) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1940/99 by Isidoro SÆnchez García (ELDR) to the Commission (4 November 1999) Subject: Measures implementing the new ultraperipheral policy pursuant to Article 299(2) of the Amster- dam Treaty Implementing Article 299(2) of the Amsterdam Treaty, the new legal basis of the arrangements for integrating the ultraperipheral regions, will require a considerable initial effort, coordination of the various services involved, and ongoing adaptation of the arrangements to match Community policies as they develop in the future. C 170 E/130 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 6. 2000 the new policy by setting up an independent specific, Does the Commission intend to implement horizontal unit responsible for following up and monitoring the measures adopted, or does it intend to upgrade the existing Interservices Groupí and endow it with the fresh powers and specific resources called for by the task in question? Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission (1 December 1999) In line with the conclusions of the Cologne European Council, the Commission will transmit to the Council and Parliament by the end of 1999 a report on the measures to implement Article 299(2) (former Article 227(2)) of the EC Treaty with regard to the outermost regions. The report will provide answers to the questions put by the Honourable Member. (2000/C 170 E/156) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1944/99 by Isidoro SÆnchez García (ELDR) to the Commission (4 November 1999) Subject: Specific indicators to measure wealth, living standards, etc. , in the ultraperipheral regions Article 299(2) of the Treaty acknowledges that factors such as remoteness, insularity, small size, difficult topography and climate and economic dependence on a few products are prejudicial to the development of the ultraperipheral territories, and were not taken into account when the wealth indicators currently used by the Statistical Office were established. Does the new Commission intend to study the problem and devise appropriate specific indicators to measure wealth, living standards, under employment and extent of development in these regions? Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission (3 December 1999) The regular publication of regional statistical indicators (e. g. the unemployment rate and gross domestic product) helps highlight a large number of the problems encountered by the ultraperipheral regions at levels 2 or 3 of the NUTS nomenclature (Nomenclature of Territorial Statistical Units). There are no plans in the Community statistical programme to devise specific indicators to analyse the situation in these regions. (2000/C 170 E/157) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1950/99 by Ursula Stenzel (PPE-DE) to the Commission (19 October 1999) Subject: Euroteam ü misuse of EU aid in In its answer of 4 October 1999 to my written question P-1521/99 (1) the Commission states, connection with the Euroteam affair in Austria, that it has contacted the Austrian authorities to obtain information about the measures taken in response to this matter. Can the Commission say whether its enquiries have brought to light any irregularities in the use of EU aid or led to admissions of such irregularities? Can the Commission say what measures were taken in response to this affair? (1) OJ C 27 E, 29. 1. 2000, p. 107