WRITTEN QUESTION P-0308/00 by Jean-Claude Fruteau (PSE) to the Commission. Enlargement and the Structural Funds.
C 374 E/54 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 28. 12. 2000 monitoring station) and research programmes (run by the Hellenic Centre for Maritime Research ü EKTHE); to extend the sewage systems, some of which has now been done (Sindos); to commission biological treatment plants before connecting up the industrial estate and to monitor industrial effluent by means of a research programme and the laboratory on the site of the treatment plant, once the latter is operational. Lastly, the competent authorities will cover the operating and maintenance costs. To this end the Greek authorities are planning to charge appropriate rates. The project to restore landfill sites and design and build a waste transport centre for Thessaloniki was submitted for part-financing by the Cohesion Fund by the Greek authorities on 27 July 1994. Before approving the project, the Commission had an ex-ante evaluation carried out by its consultants, who visited the sites and submitted various technical reports. Several preparatory meetings were held with the Greek authorities, who incorporated the Commissionís technical remarks and improvements in their project proposal. The Commission finally approved the project on 9 December 1997 (2). It provides for the rehabilitation of three landfill sites (Tagarades, Thermi and Derveni) and construction of a loading station for waste. The total cost of this project is EUR 19,1 million, with a Community contribution of EUR 15,3 million (80 %), which is amply sufficient for proper implementation. Under the Commission Decision, which provided for one yearís leeway, the project must be completed before 31 December 2000. The Commission has already paid a first advance of EUR 200 000. According to the information received from the Greek authorities, the contracts for the four subprojects have been signed. To date, the uptake of appropriations amounts to 28,8 % of the overall project (17 % in October 1999). The Greek authorities have assured the Commission that they are doing everything possible to speed up implementation: Sub-project Thermi Derveni Tagarades Loading station Total cost (in euros) 2 420 000 4 996 887 7 751 421 3 973 509 Uptake to date (%) Expected uptake by the end of May 2000 (%) 52,38 0,21 45,97 2,17 80 40 60 30 During the Monitoring Committee meeting in October 1999, the Commission asked for progress reports on the implementation of the four subprojects. It will continue monitoring progress, particularly as regards Derveni and the loading station. (1) Decision C(95) 2916F, 28. 11. 1995. (2) Decision C(97) 3946, 9. 12. 1997. (2000/C 374 E/063) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0308/00 by Jean-Claude Fruteau (PSE) to the Commission (4 February 2000) Subject: Enlargement and the Structural Funds Economic convergence is not yet a reality in the European Union. People living in Objective 1 eligible regions, who form 25 % of the Unionís total population, have a gross domestic product (GDP) below two- thirds of the Community average. So the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund are the main instruments for reducing these regional disparities, in order to permit a more balanced form of development throughout the Community. 28. 12. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 374 E/55 For this reason the four French Overseas Departments that are eligible under Objective 1 will see a considerable increase in their level of per capita aid between the periods 1994-1999 and 2000-2006. This is a remarkable and necessary step, but plans for enlargement to include the central and eastern European countries are already in hand and are likely to upset the present balance considerably. What measures is the Commission proposing to ensure that the impact of enlargement on the allocation of the Structural Funds does not worsen the situation for the Unionís regions that are most disadvantaged, and particularly the outermost regions? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (21 March 2000) The Sixth Periodic Report on the socio-economic situation and development of the regions of the European Union indicates that, in 1996, the average per capita GDP of the regions eligible during 1994- 1999 under Objective 1 of the Structural Funds was 68 % of the Community average. In respect of the current programming period (2000-2006), the list of regions eligible under Objective 1 and the distribution among the Member States of the Structural Fund resources allocated to these regions were approved by the Commission on 1 July 1999. These decisions will not be modified as a result of enlargement. This means that the French overseas departments will remain eligible under Objective 1 throughout the period 2000 to 2006, while the resources allocated to them under Objective 1 will be EUR 254 million at 1999 prices. As regards the future of cohesion policy, the Second Report on Cohesion which the Commission will be adopting at the end of 2000 will in particular analyse the situation of the regions in the context of a broader Union. Based on the conclusions to be drawn from enlargement, it will be looking at various options that will open up beyond 2006. (2000/C 374 E/064) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0311/00 by Marietta Giannakou-Koutsikou (PPE-DE) to the Commission (11 February 2000) Subject: Legislation on the abuse of women Recent research has shown that 98 % of the victims of violence in the European Union are women, and that one in five women has been physically abused by her husband. It is believed that the number of women who are the victims of physical, sexual or psychological violence both in the family environment and outside is far higher than usually publicly acknowledged, partly out of an understandable desire to shield society and partly because of intimidation. A firm response is needed in so far as existing legislation in this area either contains loopholes or, in some countries, actually fosters a tolerant attitude towards every kind of violence against women. Does the Commission intend to submit proposals aimed at: 1. Strengthening legislation to protect women from physical, sexual and psychological abuse? 2. Supporting social care programmes by setting up special centres, increasing public awareness and generally providing more information, so as to make it easier to report such events to the authorities?