WRITTEN QUESTION E-2011/99 by Gilles Savary (PSE) to the Commission. Transitional period between the two programming periods for the Structural Funds.
1. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 219 E/67 The Commission would point out that it takes an active part in the work of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and of its Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS), which, following its meeting on 11 to 15 October 1999, has drawn up a report evaluating the state of the various stocks, including the target species for drift netting: the albacore. (1) OJ C 170 E, 20. 6. 2000. (2) (3) OJ C 203 E, 18. 7. 2000, p. 94. See page 82. (2000/C 219 E/079) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2011/99 by Gilles Savary (PSE) to the Commission (9 November 1999) Subject: Transitional period between the two programming periods for the Structural Funds Given the time necessary for consultation and negotiation between the Member States and the Commission for national programming for the Structural Funds for 2000-2006, what will be the situation on the ground during the transitional period between the end of the current programming period (1994-1999) and the beginning of the next one? Would it be possible for outstanding balances to be carried forward and used on the basis of the old arrangements until the new ones come into force? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (16 December 1999) The end of the current programming period will proceed normally in four successive stages, which will mark the closure of the 1994-1999 programmes: 31 December 1999 is the deadline for commitments on the ground relating to eligible operations; 31 December 2001 is the deadline for payments corresponding to eligible operations committed to on the ground before 31 December 1999; 30 June 2002 is the deadline for the Member States to declare the payments they have made; during 2002 and at the beginning of 2003 the Commission will pay the balances to the Member States. At the same time, the programmes for the new 2000-2006 programming period will be adopted as from in view of the current state of preparation, the first programmes or single 1 January 2000. In fact, programming documents (under Objective 1) cannot be adopted before the end of March 2000. However, the eligibility of the operations begins with the presentation of these programming documents to the Commission by the Member State. Moreover, if the Member State submits a request for assistance to the Commission between 1 January and 30 April 2000, the associated expenditure can be considered eligible for a contribution from the Funds as from 1 January 2000 (Article 52(4) of Regulation 1260/99). Member States can consequently start operations as of now in respect of the new programming period. Independently of the dates on which decisions are taken on the new programmes, there are therefore real possibilities for transition between one programming period and another. (2000/C 219 E/080) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2012/99 by Renato Brunetta (PPE-DE) to the Commission (9 November 1999) Subject: Tax deductibility of commission Can the Commission ascertain and provide information on whether internal revenue authorities of EU countries may give tax deductible status to additional commission expenses that a company pays to unnamed third parties that do not reside in that companyís country?