WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3342/98 by Graham MATHER Arrangements for KONVER areas after 1999
C 289/40 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 11. 10. 1999 The Commission is already providing development aid aimed at human welfare in India: in 1997 the Community launched the largest project ever funded under the underdeveloped countries Asia and Latin America countries (PVD-ALA) development budget line for the benefit of a single developing country. This is a sector investment programme entitled ‘Support to health and family welfare development’ which provides ECU 200 million over a six year period to be used across the whole country. Its main objective is the provision of women’s reproductive and child health services to groups that have hitherto not benefited from such services. The Commission is always grateful for further information from individuals or organisations on humanitarian emergencies affecting the vulnerable in India, as well as for suggestions as to how such problems may be addressed, taking into account the financial constraints imposed by the Community budget. (1999/C 289/053) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3342/98 by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission (16 November 1998) Subject: Arrangements for KONVER areas after 1999 Under a 1997 Commission decision, the Konver II Programme was extended until 1999. Does the Commission envisage specific provision for areas eligible for Konver II funding after 1999, i. e. a 1. Konver III? In the absence of a Konver III, does the Commission envisage alternative funding arrangements for these 2. areas? 3. What transitional arrangements does the Commission envisage for areas that have received Konver funding to cover the years immediately after 1999? Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (16 December 1998) The Commission has not proposed the continuation of the Konver Community initiative beyond 1999. It considers that operations of the type co-financed by Konver should in the future be integrated in the mainstream programmes under the different objectives of the structural funds. Areas currently eligible for funding under Konver II and which fulfil the eligibility critera for objective 1 and 2 areas will be able to benefit from those programmes. Other areas with socio-economic problems following the restructuring of the defence industry will be able to benefit from objective 3 support measures in favour of employment. The Commission has also proposed that support for interregional co-operation should be possible across the Community under the next generation of Community initiatives. The Commission does not therefore consider it necessary to offer transitional funding to areas based on their eligibility under the existing Konver initiative. (1999/C 289/054) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3348/98 by Ernesto Caccavale (UPE) to the Commission (16 November 1998) Subject: Alleged irregularities in the plan to reorganize the Banco di Napoli The European Commission recently indicated that it approved of the plan to restructure and privatize the Banco di Napoli, authorising the aid envisaged by the Italian Government and the merger between that bank and the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL). According to certain press reports, there is reason to believe that the Commissioner responsible for competition, Mr Van Miert, has instructed the Banco di Napoli to hand over