WRITTEN QUESTION P-2162/99 by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission. Promotion of biotechnological crops.
1. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 219 E/107 Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission (17 December 1999) The memorandum concerning Financial assistance from the European Commission for town twinningí indeed stipulates that exchanges involving fewer than 10 participants from the invited local authority are not eligible. This condition applies regardless of whether one or more local authorities are invited. For 1999, the grant for travel costs has been set at a maximum of EUR 0,04 per person and per kilometre (return journey). A minimum number of participants from the local authority or authorities invited is required in order to ensure that meetings between twinned local authorities are open to as many of the local population as possible. For the same reason, it is required that the exchanges do not involve mainly local councillors or local officials. The Commission is aware that it is more difficult to meet these conditions when several local authorities are invited by the host town. However, it cannot take responsibility for discarding the fundamental aim of greater involvement of European citizens in the meetings of twinned local authorities. Otherwise, it would not be possible to achieve the aim of the programme of assistance for town twinning, taken up by the Honourable Members, áto put across the European idea and to get to know the habits and customs (of the different countries) í (2000/C 219 E/136) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2162/99 by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission (19 November 1999) Subject: Promotion of biotechnological crops Could the Commission indicate whether any EU projects are being undertaken to promote biotechnolo- gical crops in ACP States and/or in the developing world? Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission (8 December 1999) In the context of the Commissionís development cooperation there are no projects undertaken to promote genetically modified crops in the African, Caribbean and Pacific states or any other developing countries. (2000/C 219 E/137) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2163/99 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Council (19 November 1999) Subject: Meeting of the Development Council on 11 November 1999 It is estimated that, on the eve of the new millennium, nearly one sixth of the world population will be illiterate. Given that, at the 1990 World Conference on Education For All, EU governments promised to work towards universal education by 2000, will the Council increase the current provision for education in its aid programmes? Will the Council include a discussion on education provision to the developing world at its forthcoming meeting on 11 November?