WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1250/98 by Iñigo MÉNDEZ DE VIGO to the Commission. Phare-Tacis Democracy Programme
19. 11. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 354/83 Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (18 May 1998) According to Article 6(5) of Commission Regulation (EEC) no 3887/92 of 23 December 1992 (1) laying down the implementing rules on the administration and control of Community aid schemes, advance warning of on-the-spot checks should be limited to the strict minimum necessary although as a general rule this should not exceed 48 hours. In principle, once announced, on-the-spot checks should be conducted to conclusion. In this context it is pointed out that, in making an application for Community livestock aids, applicants declare themselves as having taken note of scheme requirements, one of which is the obligation on Member States to carry out on-the-spot checks. Article 13 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3887/92 provides that, except in cases of force majeure, an aid application is rejected if an on-the-spot check cannot be conducted due to reasons attributable to the applicant. (1) OJ L 391, 31. 12. 1992. (98/C 354/133) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1250/98 by Iñ igo Me·ndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: PHARE-TACIS Democracy Programme Non-governmental organizations play a major role in helping to secure the objectives of the PHARE and TACIS programmes by means of the PHARE-TACIS Democracy Programme (PTDP). The impressive results obtained demonstrate the success of the NGOsí involvement in a process of such major importance to the EU as its own enlargement. Does the Commission agree with the conclusions of the assessment report produced by the University of Sussex? Is the Commission going to follow the latterís recommendation and increase the funding for the PTDP? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (15 May 1998) The Commission agrees that the PHARE and TACIS democracy programme has achieved good results through the participation of many non-governmental organisations. The report on the evaluation of the programme by ISA Consult and the Sussex European institute has made a valuable contribution to the Commissionís reflections on how best to support the development of democracy and the promotion of human rights in Central and Eastern Europe and the New independent states (NIS). The Commission is obliged to consider the resources available to specific budget lines in the light of the overall priorities for the use of Community resources. (98/C 354/134) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1251/98 by Odile Leperre-Verrier (ARE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Food aid in the EU Now that winter is coming to an end, can the Commission provide details of the food aid granted directly or indirectly to approved non-governmental organizations? What steps will it take to reduce poverty and malnutrition, which are on the increase in the Member States of the European Union?