WRITTEN QUESTION E-1836/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Utilisation of Objective 2 funds for aid for Greece.
20. 6. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 170 E/111 (2000/C 170 E/130) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1836/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Utilisation of Objective 2 funds for aid for Greece (13 October 1999) In the debate in Parliament on granting emergency aid to Athens to address the consequences of the earthquake, Commissioner Kinnock, voicing the Commissionís view, stated that the Commission would examine jointly with the Greek Government the possibility of using Objective 2 funds for this purpose. Given that Greece has been classified as Objective 1, will the Commission say how the regions affected by the earthquake will be given aid from Objective 2 funds? Was the Commissioner referring to the current Community Support Framework? Are there any proposals which the Commission would like to unveil? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (18 November 1999) The Honourable Memberís question must be based on a misunderstanding because the whole of Greece is eligible under Objective 1 of the Structural Funds, during both the current programming period and the next period, 2000-2006. Any aid given by the Structural Funds to the disaster regions as a result of the earthquake of 7 September 1999 will therefore be granted from operational programmes under either this Community support framework or the next. The Commission is awaiting specific proposals from the Greek authorities on this point. (2000/C 170 E/131) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1838/99 by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission Subject: Food safety shortcomings in Spanish ports (13 October 1999) At the end of August 1999, the European Commission published a report of veterinary inspections carried out by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) in Spanish airports and ports from November 1998 to March 1999. During these inspections serious deficiencies were discovered in the sanitary procedures at some Spanish border posts charged with carrying out checks on food safety. Taking into account the conclusions of the report, to be found on the web site of Directorate-General XXIV, what action does the Commission plan to take against the Spanish authorities in order to remedy the situation denounced by the FVO report? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (9 November 1999) Two recent visits have been made to Spain by the Commissionís Food and veterinary office (FVO), one in November 1998 and one in February 1999. The results of the missions have been published in their final form on the web site of the Health and consumer protection directorate general, including comments and reactions to the findings in the draft report from the Spanish authorities. Written responses to the deficiencies identified in this report have been received by the Commission, which is still in discussion with the Spanish authorities regarding specific recommendations