WRITTEN QUESTION E-1909/99 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Progress in implementing the Community's Leader initiative in Greece.
C 203 E/86 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 18. 7. 2000 Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (23 November 1999) In the context of the programme of action on the prevention of AIDS and other communicable diseases, adopted on 29 March 1996 by Parliament and the Council by means of Decision No 647/96/EC (1), projects which meet the objectives of the programme and provide Community added value may receive financial backing. In accordance with the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission, a complete list of the funding applications received (including those which may receive funding) is forwarded to Parliament annually. With regard to the years 1996, 1997 and 1998, files containing all essential information relating to funded projects are available to all interested persons and bodies. The documentation relating to 1999 will be finalised in the course of November 1999. Moreover, general information concerning funded projects may also be consulted on the Internet (2). All projects funded under the programme are assessed by the Commission from both a scientific and a financial point of view. With regard to evaluation of the programme, the Commission presented an interim report (3) to Parliament and the Council, relating mainly to the implementation period from 1996 to 1997. In this report, the Commission underlines the degree of cohesion and complementarity achieved between this programme and related Community policies, programmes and initiatives. It also evaluates the measures undertaken in order to enhance the significance and impact of the programme. To this end, the Commission drew on the opinions of a group of external experts and on those of the representatives from the Member States who are involved in the management committee. (1) OJ L 95, 16. 4. 1996. (2) (3) COM(1999) 463 final. http://europa. eu. int/comm/dg05/phealth/aids/projects. htm. (2000/C 203 E/107) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1909/99 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission (29 October 1999) Subject: Progress in implementing the Communityís Leader initiative in Greece Will the Commission say what progress has been made in implementing the Communityís Leader initiative in Greece in terms of payment of scheduled appropriations? Does it consider that progress has been satisfactory and, if not, to what does it believe any delays are attributable? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (12 November 1999) The Commissionís answer to Written Question No E-0001/99 by Mr Alavanos (1) on a similar subject gave details of progress in implementing Leader II in Greece. Further to its abovementioned answer, the Commission can inform the Honourable Member that the current situation with regard to commitments and payments from the Structural Funds involved in Leader II in Greece is as follows: ü European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF): commitments € 93,02 million, payments € 57,61 million, ü European Regional Development Fund (ERDF): commitments € 66,69 million, payments € 41,04 million, ü European Social Fund (ESF): commitments € 2,90 million, payments € 1,45 million. 18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/87 To sum up, in relation to the total appropriation under the Structural Funds of € 167,65 million, the commitments of the three Structural Funds together amount to € 162,61 million, i. e. 97 %, and the payments to € 100,10 million, or 60 %. Of course, the figure for payments is the best indicator of the situation on the ground. (1) OJ C 289, 11. 10. 1999. (2000/C 203 E/108) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1910/99 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission (29 October 1999) Subject: Progress in implementing the Communityís ásmall and medium-sized enterpriseí initiative in Greece Will the Commission say what progress has been made in implementing the Communityís ásmall and medium-sized enterpriseí initiative in Greece in terms of payment of scheduled appropriations? Does it consider that progress has been satisfactory and, if not, to what does it believe any delays are attributable? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (25 November 1999) The delay in implementing the Communityís ásmall and medium-sized enterpriseí programme (SMEs) in Greece was produced by the need to coordinate the 125 measures in favour of SMEs incorporated in Greeceís various national and regional operational programmes and other Community Initiatives. According to the information sent to the Commission by the Greek authorities, rapid progress has been made since the launch of the above programme. The Greek authorities have been able to commit the total allocation, with 56 % of payments made so far. On the basis of expenditure actually incurred, the Commission believes that it will be able to commit its total financial contribution by the end of this year. (2000/C 203 E/109) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1911/99 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission (29 October 1999) Subject: Progress in implementing the Communityís URBAN initiative in Greece Will the Commission say what progress has been made in implementing the Communityís URBAN initiative in Greece in terms of payment of scheduled appropriations? Does it consider that progress has been satisfactory and, if not, to what does it believe any delays are attributable? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (25 November 1999) The delay in implementing the URBAN Community Initiative programme in Greece was produced by the need to set up a decentralised management structure, which entailed lengthy discussions and required management contracts to be signed between the Greek Ministry of Economic Affairs and the agencies in charge of implementing the programme in the six cities involved. Once this structure had been put into place rapid progress was made. The contracts have now been signed and all the projects are currently being implemented, while some have even been completed. Given the small scale of the projects, they should be completed by the end of the first half of 2000