title: Resolução do Parlamento Europeu que contém as observações que constituem parte integrante da decisão que dá quitação à Comissão pela execução do orçamento da Comunidade Europeia do Carvão e do Aço (CECA) no exercício de 1998

eurovoc_concepts:
ECSC
EP resolution
budgetary discharge
financial year

text: L 191/20 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias 27. 7. 2000 RESOLU˙ˆO do Parlamento Europeu que contØm as observa(cid:231)ıes que constituem parte integrante da decisªo que dÆ quita(cid:231)ªo (cid:224) Comissªo pela execu(cid:231)ªo do or(cid:231)amento da Comunidade Europeia do Carvªo e do A(cid:231)o (CECA) no exerc(cid:237)cio de 1998 O PARLAMENTO EUROPEU, Tendo em conta o relat(cid:243)rio do Tribunal de Contas sobre as demonstra(cid:231)ıes financeiras da Comunidade Europeia do Carvªo e do A(cid:231)o (CECA) em 31 de Dezembro de 1998 (1), Tendo em conta o relat(cid:243)rio anual do Tribunal de Contas (cid:151) Relat(cid:243)rio Anual CECA relativo ao exerc(cid:237)cio de 1998 (incluindo a declara(cid:231)ªo de fiabilidade relativa (cid:224) CECA), acompanhada da resposta da Comissªo (C5(cid:150)0153/2000) (2), Tendo em conta o relat(cid:243)rio especial n. o 3/99 (3) do Tribunal de Contas sobre a gestªo e o controlo das bonifica(cid:231)ıes de juros efectuados pelos servi(cid:231)os da Comissªo, acompanhado das respostas da Comissªo, Tendo em conta o artigo 78. oG e o artigo 97. o do Tratado CECA, Tendo em conta o artigo 93. o e o anexo V do seu Regimento, Tendo em conta o relat(cid:243)rio da Comissªo do Controlo Or(cid:231)amental (A5(cid:150)0092/2000), Considerando o seguinte: A. B. C. D. E. F. O artigo 2. o do Tratado CECA estabelece como objectivos desta a expansªo econ(cid:243)mica, o aumento do emprego e a melhoria do n(cid:237)vel de vida. Em 1998, numa conjuntura caracterizada por pre(cid:231)os de mercado muito baixos, pela crise no mer- cado do transporte de mercadorias, pela reestrutura(cid:231)ªo do sector do carvªo na Alemanha e pelos efeitos da liberaliza(cid:231)ªo dos mercados da electricidade e do gÆs no Reino Unido, a produ(cid:231)ªo de carvªo na UE registou uma descida de 12 % em rela(cid:231)ªo ao ano precedente, situando-se em 107 milhıes de toneladas. No seu relat(cid:243)rio especial acima citado, nomeadamente no n. o 3. 11, o Tribunal de Contas conclui que, relativamente (cid:224)s medidas destinadas (cid:224) cria(cid:231)ªo de postos de trabalho executadas ao abrigo do artigo 56. o do Tratado CECA, o impacto real das bonifica(cid:231)ıes foi praticamente nulo e estas cons- titu(cid:237)ram antes uma vantagem adicional para os seus beneficiÆrios. Em 1998, a contrac(cid:231)ªo da procura asiÆtica ligada (cid:224) crise econ(cid:243)mica provocou uma desacelera(cid:231)ªo da procura de a(cid:231)o pela indœstria autom(cid:243)vel e pelas indœstrias mec(cid:226)nicas e elØctricas, tendo, no entanto, sido registada uma expansªo lenta no sector da constru(cid:231)ªo civil, conjunto de factores este de que resultou um volume de produ(cid:231)ªo de 160 milhıes de toneladas. O balan(cid:231)o da CECA diminuiu 903 milhıes de euros em rela(cid:231)ªo ao ano precedente, cifrando-se em 5,027 mil milhıes de euros, e representando o crØdito concedido 56,4 % desse total e os activos l(cid:237)quidos 39,1 %. O balan(cid:231)o revela que, em compara(cid:231)ªo com o ano anterior, as responsabilidades extrapatrimoniais recebidas baixaram de 590 milhıes de euros para 372 milhıes, as responsabilidades extrapatrimo- niais assumidas baixaram de 712 milhıes para 497 milhıes. Os outros activos diminu(cid:237)ram de 87 milhıes de euros para 8 milhıes, dos quais 5,4 milhıes representam emprØstimos concedidos a funcionÆrios. Os outros passivos aumentaram de 12 milhıes de euros para 29 milhıes. As provi- sıes para riscos e encargos aumentaram de 87 milhıes de euros para 122 milhıes. (1) JO C 240 de 25. 8. 1999, p. 24. (2) JO C 338 de 25. 11. 1999. (3) JO C 217 de 29. 7. 1999. 27. 7. 2000 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias L 191/21 G. H. I. J. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. A conta de ganhos e perdas, que totaliza 588 milhıes de euros apresenta uma descida de 264 milhıes em rela(cid:231)ªo ao ano precedente. Em custos, observa-se uma subida das perdas em opera(cid:231)ıes financeiras de 15 milhıes de euros para 73 milhıes, uma subida das correc(cid:231)ıes de valor (crØditos e provisıes) de 9 milhıes para 62 milhıes e uma diminui(cid:231)ªo da dota(cid:231)ªo das provisıes para o finan- ciamento do or(cid:231)amento operacional de 274 milhıes para 26 milhıes. Em proveitos, os juros rece- bidos baixaram de 420 milhıes de euros para 345 milhıes e os proveitos ligados ao or(cid:231)amento operacional CECA desceram de 301 milhıes para 146 milhıes. A execu(cid:231)ªo do or(cid:231)amento mostra uma descida de 459 milhıes de euros em 1997 para 184 milhıes em 1998, registando as multas uma subida de 0 para 6 milhıes e o saldo l(cid:237)quido do exer- c(cid:237)cio uma descida de 109 milhıes para 38 milhıes. A partir de 1 de Janeiro de 1998, a Comissªo decidiu reduzir a imposi(cid:231)ªo sobre os produtos de carvªo e do a(cid:231)o para 0 % e repartir os seus recursos entre as ajudas sociais e as ajudas (cid:224) investi- ga(cid:231)ªo. Ao aproximar-se a expira(cid:231)ªo do Tratado CECA, que ocorrerÆ em 23 de Julho de 2002, o rÆcio de solvabilidade da CECA aumentou de 28,3 % no final de 1997, para 32,8 %, ficando mais pr(cid:243)ximo do objectivo estabelecido de 100 %, o que foi conseguido gra(cid:231)as ao aumento do Fundo de Garantia e (cid:224) diminui(cid:231)ªo substancial do valor acumulado do crØdito concedido. A resolu(cid:231)ªo sobre o crescimento e o emprego, adoptada pelo Conselho Europeu de Amesterdªo de 16 e 17 de Junho de 1997, e a resolu(cid:231)ªo do Conselho de 21 de Junho de 1999 sobre o futuro da CECA solicitam que os rendimentos obtidos pelas reservas sejam utilizados no financiamento de um fundo de investiga(cid:231)ªo para os sectores ligados (cid:224)s indœstrias do carvªo e do a(cid:231)o. Segundo as previsıes actuais, a Comissªo estima que as reservas que a CECA poderÆ usar para o financiamento da investiga(cid:231)ªo ascenderªo a 1,1 mil milhıes de euros em 2002. O or(cid:231)amento operacional da CECA Ø gerido conjuntamente pelas direc(cid:231)ıes-gerais dos assuntos eco- n(cid:243)micos e financeiros, da investiga(cid:231)ªo, energia e transportes, do emprego e do or(cid:231)amento, e com- portou em 1998 despesas totais no valor de 185 milhıes de euros, dos quais 84 milhıes foram afectados a ajudas (cid:224) investiga(cid:231)ªo, 43 milhıes a ajudas (cid:224) readapta(cid:231)ªo e 27 milhıes (cid:224) componente social no sector do carvªo. A Comissªo parece ainda nªo ter aplicado integralmente as recomenda(cid:231)ıes formuladas pelo Parla- mento na sua resolu(cid:231)ªo de 4 de Maio de 1999 sobre a quita(cid:231)ªo relativa ao exerc(cid:237)cio de 1997 (1), na qual pede que sejam resolvidos os problemas jur(cid:237)dicos ligados (cid:224) aliena(cid:231)ªo dos edif(cid:237)cios adquiri- dos com os excedentes da CECA em Lisboa e Milªo, em 1986, em Camberra, em 1987, e em Windhoek, em 1992. A œltima avalia(cid:231)ªo independente do rendimento financeiro directo dos programas de investiga(cid:231)ªo da CECA no dom(cid:237)nio do a(cid:231)o executados entre 1981 e 1990 foi encomendada em Junho de 1994. O relat(cid:243)rio anual sobre a CECA relativo ao exerc(cid:237)cio de 1998 foi aprovado pelo Tribunal de Contas em 22 e 23 de Setembro de 1999. A partir da adop(cid:231)ªo do Tratado de Fusªo, s(cid:243) uma pequena parte (equivalente a um montante fixo) das despesas administrativas resultantes das actividades da CECA Ø financiada atravØs do or(cid:231)amento em questªo, ao passo que a parte mais importante se encontra a cargo do or(cid:231)amento geral e que, tendo em conta a expira(cid:231)ªo do Tratado, importa proceder a um recenseamento das necessidades reais em pessoal e a uma reorganiza(cid:231)ªo dos servi(cid:231)os da Comissªo. (1) JO C 279 de 1. 10. 1999, p. 135. L 191/22 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias 27. 7. 2000 R. S. O Tribunal de Contas conclui que as demonstra(cid:231)ıes financeiras da CECA em 31 de Dezembro de 1998 apresentam uma imagem fiel do patrim(cid:243)nio e da situa(cid:231)ªo financeira da CECA e do resultado das opera(cid:231)ıes desta referentes ao exerc(cid:237)cio findo na mesma data. O Tribunal de Contas declara que a legalidade e regularidade das opera(cid:231)ıes estªo, no seu conjunto, suficientemente garantidas e propıe, portanto, uma declara(cid:231)ªo de fiabilidade positiva. Avalia(cid:231)ªo independente do valor acrescentado da CECA 1. 2. 3. Manifesta a sua profunda preocupa(cid:231)ªo pelo facto de, no relat(cid:243)rio especial sobre a gestªo e o con- trolo das bonifica(cid:231)ıes de juros efectuados pela Comissªo, o Tribunal de Contas ter conclu(cid:237)do que as bonifica(cid:231)ıes de juros concedidas pelos programas executados ao abrigo do artigo 56. o do Tratado CECA tiveram um impacto praticamente nulo sobre a cria(cid:231)ªo de postos de trabalho. Solicita (cid:224) Comissªo que, antes de expira(cid:231)ªo do Tratado CECA, em 23 de Julho de 2002, avalie o impacto da CECA no plano da realiza(cid:231)ªo dos objectivos de expansªo econ(cid:243)mica, de aumento do emprego e de melhoria do n(cid:237)vel de vida fixados no Tratado. Constata que a Comissªo, nos termos do Tratado CECA, individualizou as medidas no dom(cid:237)nio das ajudas sociais e as medidas no dom(cid:237)nio das ajudas (cid:224) investiga(cid:231)ªo. PrudŒncia em rela(cid:231)ªo (cid:224) liquida(cid:231)ªo da CECA 4. 5. Solicita (cid:224) Comissªo que lhe garanta que foram tomadas medidas para aumentar o rÆcio de solvabili- dade, que em 31 de Dezembro de 1998 era de 32,8 %, atØ 100 % antes de 23 de Julho de 2002. Toma nota da solidez do balan(cid:231)o da CECA, que, no final de 1998, se elevava a 5,027 milhıes de euros, mas manifesta a sua preocupa(cid:231)ªo quanto (cid:224) gestªo dos emprØstimos concedidos e (cid:224) utiliza(cid:231)ªo eficaz dos activos l(cid:237)quidos. Plano de transferŒncia para os sucessores da CECA 6. 7. 8. 9. Observa que o Conselho Europeu de Amesterdªo sobre o crescimento e o emprego, realizado em 1997, instou a que os rendimentos obtidos pelas reservas fossem usados para o financiamento de investiga(cid:231)ªo ap(cid:243)s a expira(cid:231)ªo do Tratado CECA, decisªo confirmada pela resolu(cid:231)ªo do Conselho de 21 de Junho passado. Insiste, por isso, na necessidade de criar sistemas eficazes de controlo da qua- lidade dos projectos e contratos na Ærea do carvªo e do a(cid:231)o, tendo em vista a actividade do futuro fundo destinado (cid:224) investiga(cid:231)ªo. Solicita (cid:224) Comissªo que apresente um relat(cid:243)rio independente de avalia(cid:231)ªo das actividades de investi- ga(cid:231)ªo da CECA, tendo em vista a prossecu(cid:231)ªo destas actividades ap(cid:243)s a expira(cid:231)ªo do Tratado CECA, gra(cid:231)as (cid:224)s reservas acumuladas por esta institui(cid:231)ªo. Solicita (cid:224) Comissªo que publique os critØrios utilizados para a selec(cid:231)ªo, o controlo e a aprecia(cid:231)ªo dos projectos de investiga(cid:231)ªo no dom(cid:237)nio do carvªo e do a(cid:231)o. Exorta a uma maior coordena(cid:231)ªo entre as vÆrias direc(cid:231)ıes-gerais que gerem conjuntamente o or(cid:231)a- mento operacional da CECA e a uma racionaliza(cid:231)ªo dos diversos servi(cid:231)os que irªo assumir a res- ponsabilidade pela gestªo dos fundos ap(cid:243)s a expira(cid:231)ªo do Tratado. 27. 7. 2000 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias L 191/23 10. Recorda (cid:224) Comissªo as suas resolu(cid:231)ıes de 28 de Outubro de 1999 sobre o or(cid:231)amento operacional da CECA (1) e o or(cid:231)amento da UE (2), em que o Parlamento Europeu solicitava (cid:224) Comissªo que, face (cid:224) expira(cid:231)ªo do Tratado CECA, procedesse a um recenseamento das necessidades reais de pessoal e (cid:224) correspondente reorganiza(cid:231)ªo dos servi(cid:231)os nas direc(cid:231)ıes-gerais interessadas, apresentando ao PE um relat(cid:243)rio sobre o assunto. Aplica(cid:231)ªo das recomenda(cid:231)ıes anteriores 11. Lamenta a ausŒncia de uma resposta cabal da Comissªo (cid:224)s recomenda(cid:231)ıes contidas na resolu(cid:231)ªo do Parlamento Europeu sobre a quita(cid:231)ªo pelo exerc(cid:237)cio or(cid:231)amental de 1997 acima citada, e solicita (cid:224) Comissªo que tome medidas adequadas e enØrgicas para respeitar essas recomenda(cid:231)ıes com a maior rapidez poss(cid:237)vel. Liquida(cid:231)ªo da CECA 12. 13. Relembra (cid:224) Comissªo que continuarÆ a exercer o seu controlo sobre a utiliza(cid:231)ªo do dinheiro dos contribuintes nas opera(cid:231)ıes da CECA. Encarrega a sua presidente de transmitir a presente resolu(cid:231)ªo (cid:224) Comissªo, ao Conselho, ao Tribunal de Justi(cid:231)a, ao Tribunal de Contas e ao Banco Europeu de Investimento. (1) Textos aprovados desta data, punto 3. (2) Textos aprovados desta data, pontos 1 e 2


title: Europa-Parlamentets beslutning om meddelelse fra Kommissionen til Rådet og Europa-Parlamentet om stabiliserings- og associeringsprocessen for landene i det sydøstlige Europa (KOM(1999) 235 - C5-0124/1999 - 1999/2126(COS))

eurovoc_concepts:
Western Balkans
association agreement (EU)
cooperation policy
development policy
stability pact
the EU's international role

formats: pdf print

text: 7. 2. 2001 DA De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende C 40/449 21. Stabiliserings- og associeringsprocessen for landene i det sydøstlige Europa Torsdag, den 13. april 2000 A5-0069/2000 Europa-Parlamentets beslutning om meddelelse fra Kommissionen til Rådet og Europa-Parlamentet om stabiliserings- og associeringsprocessen for landene i det sydøstlige Europa (KOM(1999) 235 ) C5-0124/1999 ) 1999/2126(COS)) Europa-Parlamentet, (cid:1) der henviser til meddelelse fra Kommissionen (KOM(1999) 235 (cid:1) C5-0124/1999), (cid:1) der henviser til Kommissionens meddelelse af 8. december 1999 til Rådet og Europa-Parlamentet om EF’s bistand til stabiliserings- og associeringsprocessen for visse lande i Sydøsteuropa, CARA-program- met (Community Association and Reconstruction Assistance): Retningslinjer og nærmere regler for bistand til Albanien, Bosnien-Hercegovina, Kroatien, den tidligere jugoslaviske republik Makedonien og Forbundsrepublikken Jugoslavien som led i det fremtidige CARA-program (2000-2006) af 8. december 1999 (KOM(1999) 661), (cid:1) der henviser til rapporten fra det finske formandskab og Kommissionen til Det Europæiske Råd i Hel- sinki om Den Europæiske Unions aktion til støtte for stabilitetspagten og Sydøsteuropa den 10. og 11. december (Rådet 13814/99), (cid:1) der henviser til beslutningen om udarbejdelsen af en stabilitetspagt for Sydøsteuropa af 10. juni 1999 i Köln samt erklæringen af 30. juli 1999 i Sarajevo fra deltagerne i Balkantopmødet om stabilitetspag- ten, (cid:1) der henviser til det arbejdsprogram, som stabilitetspagtens regionale bord vedtog den 16. september 1999 i Bruxelles, samt de tidligere resultater af arbejdet i de tre arbejdsgrupper, (cid:1) der henviser til forretningsordenens artikel 47, stk. 1, (cid:1) der henviser til betænkning fra Udvalget om Udenrigsanliggender, Menneskerettigheder, Fælles Sikker- hed og Forsvarspolitik (A5-0069/2000), A. der er overbevist om, at spørgsmålet om genetablering af fred, stabilitet, demokrati og retsstatsprin- cipper samt en økonomisk udvikling i Sydøsteuropa er en af de vigtigste udfordringer for Den Euro- pæiske Union i de kommende år og også vil blive en test for EU med hensyn til dens evne til at udvikle en effektiv, civil og militær krisestyring, der tager sigte på konfliktforebyggelse, B. der er overbevist om, at problemerne i regionen ikke kan behandles isoleret fra hinanden og adskilt fra problemerne i det øvrige Europa, C. der henviser til, at Kovosokrisen endnu en gang har vist, at Balkanregionen udgør en del af Europa, og at etniske konflikter, flygtningestrømme og ustabile nationaløkonomiske forhold øver afgørende ind- flydelse på stabiliteten i hele Europa, D. der er overbevist om, at der blev skabt en vigtig konceptuel ramme for kriseprævention gennem sta- bilitetspagten for Sydøsteuropa, hvori regionen betragtes som en helhed, og genetableringen af demo- krati, økonomisk udvikling og sikkerhed betragtes som elementer, der er indbyrdes afhængige, E. F. der henviser til, at alle landene i regionen skal overholde FN-resolutionen vedrørende respekten for grænserne mellem landene i dette område, der henviser til, at alle lande i regionen (cid:1) i forskellig grad (cid:1) står over for de samme problemer: svage politiske institutioner og retsusikkerhed, ingen frie medier, korruption og kriminalitet, ødelagte eller forældede infrastrukturer og miljø, manglende erhvervsvirksomhed og et lavt investeringsniveau, høj arbejdsløshed, et ineffektivt bank- og skattesystem, utilstrækkelig grænseforvaltning, en for lille privat- sektor og en mangelfuld økonomisk lovgivning, C 40/450 De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende DA 7. 2. 2001 Torsdag, den 13. april 2000 G. der henviser til, at genopbygningen efter konflikterne i det tidligere Jugoslavien ikke kun skal forstås i rent fysisk og økonomisk henseende, men også betyder en social, samfundsmæssig og institutionel genopbygning, og at det centrale mål for enhver genopbygningsstrategi må være genetableringen af retsstatsprincipperne, H. der henviser til de alvorlige ødelæggelser, som NATO’s og EU’s bombardementer har forårsaget på produktionsstrukturerne og de civile strukturer i Forbundsrepublikken Jugoslavien, og som forstyrrer dagliglivets normale og elementære gang inden for områderne sundhedsvæsen, levnedsmiddelforsy- ning, beskæftigelse, energiforsyning osv. , I. J. der henviser til, at der ikke kan skabes en langsigtet stabilitet i regionen, så længe Forbundsrepublik- ken Jugoslavien fortsat er isoleret, hvilket indebærer en vedvarende kløft i regionens geografiske cen- trum og en permanent tilstedeværelse af destabiliserende faktorer i Europas sårbare sydlige region, der henviser til, at EU’s tilbud til Bosnien-Hercegovina, Kroatien, Forbundsrepublikken Jugoslavien, Den Tidligere Jugoslaviske Republik Makedonien og Albanien om at indgå stabiliserings- og associe- ringsaftaler på lang sigt åbner mulighed for medlemskab af EU for disse lande, K. der henviser til, at stabilitetspagten udgør bindeleddet mellem disse 5 SAA- lande og ansøgerlandene Bulgarien og Rumænien samt Ungarn og Slovenien, og at de alle sammen med EU og dens medlems- stater og USA, Rusland, Japan og Tyrkiet samt de internationale organisationer og internationale finan- sieringsinstitutter deltager i det regionale bord, hvor programmet for udviklingen af regionen drøftes, L. der er overbevist om, at EU’s tilbud om integration i de europæiske strukturer og støtten til det regi- onale samarbejde ikke skal forstås som alternativer, men som to processer, der supplerer og styrker hinanden, M. der henviser til, at EU mellem 1991 og 1999 allerede har ydet støtte på 7,5 mia. euro til de fem lande i regionen, og at Kommissionen har foreslået at stille et beløb på omkring 5,5 mia. euro til rådighed i perioden 2000-2006 samt 6,2 mia. euro til Rumænien og Bulgarien, 1. betragter stabilitetspagten for Sydøsteuropa som Den Europæiske Unions centrale opgave på indevæ- rende tidspunkt, hvor både fremtiden for fred og stabilitet i Sydøsteuropa såvel som Unionens politiske troværdighed vil blive afgjort; opfordrer derfor EU til, med alle de instrumenter, programmer og finansieringsmuligheder, der står til 2. dens rådighed, at overtage den centrale førende rolle inden for stabilitetspagten; 3. opfordrer Den Høje Repræsentant for den fælles udenrigs- og sikkerhedspolitik og det medlem af Kommissionen, der er ansvarlig for eksterne forbindelser, til at sørge for, at der gennemføres et tæt sam- arbejde mellem EU som hovedstøttegiver for regionen og særkoordinatoren som ansvarlig for gennem- førelsen af pagten; 4. opfordrer til, at der gennem et sådant tæt samarbejde og en styrkelse af den europæiske søjle inden for stabilitetspagtens struktur opnås en nedsættelse af antallet af aktører på Balkan, og at der skabes større transparens i forbindelse med udnyttelsen af allerede eksisterende strukturer; 5. understreger den strategiske koncept i stabilitetspagten i form af en forebyggende politik, hvor spørgsmålene om ekstern og intern sikkerhed, demokratisering og retsstatsprincipperne og den økono- miske udvikling bør betragtes som opgaver, der er afhængige af hinanden, og som bør behandles på lige fod og parallelt; 6. understreger behovet for at isolere de ekstremt nationalistiske kredse, som modarbejder alle bestræ- belser på at vende tilbage til en demokratisk dialog og en tilsvarende økonomisk udvikling, som de mode- rate parter i regionen ønsker; 7. bemærker resultaterne af finansieringskonferencen for stabilitetspagten, der blev afholdt den 29. og 30. marts 2000, og betragter dens gennemførelse som en afgørende test af pagtens evne til at omsætte politiske koncepter i praksis; forventer af Kommissionen, at den overtager en central førende rolle ved projektfinansieringen; 7. 2. 2001 DA De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende C 40/451 Torsdag, den 13. april 2000 8. opfordrer Kommissionen til som et led i det associerings- og genopbygningsprogram, der skal skabes for de fem lande på det vestlige Balkan (CARA), som et led i Phare-programmet samt ved anvendelse af Interreg at medfinansiere konkrete projekter fra alle tre arbejdsgrupper; i den forbindelse skal der ikke kun ydes støtte til regionale økonomiske projekter, men der bør også lægges særlig vægt på projekter fra den første arbejdsgruppe om demokratisering og fremme af det civile samfund samt fra den tredje arbejds- gruppe om regional nedrustning, minerydning, forbedring af politiarbejdet og foranstaltninger til bekæm- pelse af korruption; anmoder i så henseende indtrængende Kommissionen om at foretage en generel evaluering af Det 9. Europæiske Fællesskabs Observatørkorps (ECMM) med henblik på sammen med Europa-Parlamentet at drøfte muligheden for at omdefinere dens opgaver, navnlig vedrørende konfliktprævention og tillidsska- belse inden for stabilitetspagtens nye rammer; 10. fastslår, såfremt nogen af landene gennemfører en politik eller træffer foranstaltninger, hvis formål er ensidige ændringer af grænserne, eller som på anden vis har negative følger for stabilitetspagten, at disse lande vil blive udelukket fra stabilitetspagtens finansieringsprocedurer. 11. understreger, at EU gennem den stabiliserings- og associeringsproces, den har indledt, giver befolk- ningen i regionen perspektiver på længere sigt om inddragelse i EU’s strukturer og således igen giver den håb om en bedre fremtid efter lidelsesfulde år; betragter fortsat den regionalplan over for det vestlige Balkan, som EU har slået til lyd for siden 12. 1996, som værende gyldig, i hvilken forbindelse princippet om politisk konditionalitet også skal anvendes som et led i stabilitetspagten; finder det absolut nødvendigt, at der forelægges et omfattende hjælpeprogram for de fem SAA-lande 13. med henblik på at gøre stabilitetspagten umiddelbart effektiv samt medvirke til den nødvendige finansielle støtte til associerings- og stabilitetsprocessen; kræver, at der lægges særlig vægt på det regionale samarbejde, og at programmer for flere lande og 14. grænseoverskridende projekter fortsat skal være mulige som et led i stabilitetspagten; 15. mener, at det europæiske genopbygningsagenturs kompetenceområde bør udvides ud over Kosovo til hele anvendelsesområdet for den nye associerings- og genopbygningsforordning, og at agenturet bør være ansvarligt for gennemførelsen af de horisontale EU-programmer samt for samordningen med projek- ter fra andre internationale støttegivere; 16. går ud fra, at der for hvert enkelt land skal udarbejdes særlige nationale programmer ud over de regionale projekter, som er tilpasset det pågældende lands særlige behov og betingelser, og hvis gennem- førelse bør forvaltes af de pågældende EU-delegationer på stedet; 17. betragter i den forbindelse Bosnien-Hercegovina, Kosovo og Albanien som særlige kriseområder, som EU og det internationale samfund fortsat bør lægge særlig vægt på; i denne forbindelse er der behov for en fornuftig og gennemførlig afgrænsning af det arbejde, som gennemføres af institutionerne uden for stabilitetspagten, f. eks. UNMIK, og arbejdet inden for rammerne af stabilitetspagten; 18. mener i så henseende, at en streng våbenkontrolpolitik er en grundlæggende forudsætning for sta- biliteten og sikkerheden i disse tre lande og hele regionen; opfordrer derfor indtrængende medlemslandene og alle stabilitetspagtens signatarer til at udarbejde et fælles program med henblik på at bistå og uddanne lokale politistyrker samtidig med, at de nationale hæres størrelse begrænses mest muligt; betragter den selektive ophævelse af sanktioner i forbindelse med Forbundsrepublikken Jugoslavien 19. som en mulighed for at styrke den serbiske opposition og svække Milosevic-styret; 20. mener, at der bør sondres mellem sanktioner mod Jugoslaviens magthavere og sanktioner mod landets befolkning med henblik på en gradvis ophævelse af sidstnævnte, hvorved der skabes mulighed for at fremme en demokratisk dialog i Jugoslavien; støtter Montenegros deltagelse i den politiske dialog, der blev indledt med de demokratiske kræfter i 21. Forbundsrepublikken Jugoslavien; C 40/452 De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende DA 7. 2. 2001 Torsdag, den 13. april 2000 kræver i hele regionens interesse, at der hurtigst muligt skabes betingelser for, at Donau gøres farbar 22. uden indskrænkninger; glæder sig over den demokratiske ændring i Kroatien og tilskynder den nye regering til at foretage 23. de nødvendige skridt, således at EU kan udvide sin støtte til landet, og således at forhandlingerne om en stabiliserings- og associeringsaftale kan påbegyndes; 24. understreger nødvendigheden af, at der ydes direkte bistand til regionens kommuner, og at udvik- lingssamarbejdet og partnerskabet mellem de sydøsteuropæiske kommuner og EU-kommunerne, navnlig i forbindelse med opbygningen af institutioner, forvaltningen af de offentlige tjenester og den lokale økono- miske udvikling, fremmes; anmoder Rådet og Kommissionen om at deltage aktivt i konferencen om udvikling og sikkerhed i 25. området omkring Adriaterhavet og Det Ioniske Hav, der finder sted den 19. og 20. maj 2000, og således bidrage væsentligt til stabilitetspagten, som meddelt i konklusionerne fra Det Europæiske Råds ekstraordi- nære møde i Tampere; 26. mener, at stabilitetspagten også er af stor betydning for den udvidede region, og anmoder derfor om, at der skabes mulighed for, at nabolande, som f. eks. Republikken Moldova, kan deltage direkte i stabilitetspagten; 27. betragter bekæmpelsen af korruption og organiseret kriminalitet som en afgørende forudsætning for etableringen af et civilt samfund, der bygger på retsstatsprincipper og demokrati, og opfordrer i denne forbindelse til, at man i særlig grad koncentrerer sig om ansættelse, uddannelse og en passende aflønning af politistyrkerne; 28. betragter bekæmpelsen af korruption og organiseret kriminalitet som en afgørende forudsætning for etableringen af et civilt samfund og foreslår, at de fem SAA-lande får tilbudt frihandel med toldfritagelse med EU, EFTA, EØS og CEFTA og får tilbudt godtgørelse for de seneste toldændringer, eftersom disse foranstaltninger ville styrke økonomien og mindske smugleri og organiseret kriminalitet; 29. understreger den voksende fare i forbindelserne mellem den organiserede kriminalitet i mange lande i Sydøsteuropa og i de medlemsstater, som ligger nærmest dette område, som f. eks. Italien og Grækenland; fordømmer den omstændighed, at disse forbindelser opretholdes via illegal handel, som f. eks. smugleri, narkotikahandel og handel med illegale indvandrere; 30. anmoder Rådet, Kommissionen og stabilitetspagtens koordinator om at fremme et specifikt initiativ med henblik på indgåelse af fælles aftaler vedrørende politisamarbejde og samarbejde om retlige anlig- gender mellem Den Europæiske Union og de berørte lande og aktivt at støtte de projekter, som er nød- vendige for gennemførelsen af dette samarbejde; 31. understreger betydningen af uafhængige medier for udviklingen af de civile samfund; glæder sig over »pagten om mediefrihed«, der ganske vist også materielt bør støttes via præcist målrettede projekter; 32. insisterer på, at der etableres et frit og uafhængigt regionalt net af eksisterende kanaler i hvert land i regionen med henblik på at skabe forbindelser og synergi mellem de nationale og lokale kanaler for at sikre en rimelig og tilstrækkelig information; kræver, at der lægges stor vægt på indlæring af tolerance og samarbejde, navnlig inden for skole- 33. undervisningen, og her navnlig via skolebøgerne, læseplanerne, osv. ; 34. støtter udformningen af konkrete planer, som bidrager til den kulturelle og religiøse tilnærmelse mellem de fem lande; understreger betydningen af, at regionens mindesmærker og kulturarv beskyttes via målrettede foranstaltninger; 35. understreger den vigtige rolle, som de internationale og lokale ikke-statslige organisationer (ngo’er) spiller i forbindelse med den økonomiske og samfundsmæssige genopbygning; understreger også behovet for øget deltagelse af så mange lokale ngo’er som muligt i genopbygningsprojekterne, idet der på den anden side fastsættes en streng og effektiv kontrol med deres finansielle procedurer for at undgå korrup- tion; 7. 2. 2001 DA De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende C 40/453 Torsdag, den 13. april 2000 36. gentager sit krav om, at EU yder en aktiv regionalhjælp som led i stabilitetspagten, hvorved de regionale infrastrukturprojekter, som f. eks. udbygningen af de europæiske korridorer nr. 8 og 10, de grænseoverskridende energi-, miljø- og vandforsyningsprojekter, fælles forbedring af grænseforvaltningen og toldvæsenet, kan fremmes; glæder sig over Kommissionens seneste initiativ til en regional genopbygningsplan på miljøområdet 37. som et led i stabilitetspagten; opfordrer Kommissionen til (cid:1) frem for alt ved en samordnet fremgangsmåde i de enkelte tjeneste- 38. grene (cid:1) at sørge for, at der ikke opstår handelshindringer mellem regionens lande, først og fremmest mellem ansøgerlandene og de andre lande; 39. støtter Kommissionens bestræbelser på at skabe en effektiv mekanisme til civil kriseforvaltning; 40. er åbent over for tanken om, at der etableres en hurtig »reaktionsfond«, og erklærer sig i sin egen- skab af en del af budgetmyndigheden rede til hurtigst muligt at indlede samråd med Kommissionen om de nærmere bestemmelser vedrørende en sådan fond; 41. erklærer sig rede til at medvirke til en styrkelse af den parlamentariske dimension i regionen; vil derfor tage initiativ til at supplere sine eksisterende bilaterale forbindelser til parlamenterne i landene i denne region med et årligt multilateralt møde inden for rammerne af stabilitetspagten; 42. pålægger sin formand at sende denne beslutning til Rådet og Kommissionen. 22. Etablering af en ramme for de finansielle markeder A5-0059/2000 Europa-Parlamentets beslutning om meddelelse fra Kommissionen: Etablering af en ramme for de finansielle markeder: en handlingsplan (KOM(1999) 232 ) C5-0114/1999 ) 1999/2117(COS)) Europa-Parlamentet, (cid:1) der henviser til meddelelse fra Kommissionen: (KOM(1999) 232 (cid:1) C5-0114/1999), (cid:1) der henviser til sin beslutning af 4. maj 1999 om en tidligere meddelelse fra Kommissionen: finansielle tjenesteydelser: en handlingsramme (KOM(1998) 625 (cid:1) C4-0688/1998) (1), (cid:1) der henviser til forretningsordenens artikel 47, stk. 1, (cid:1) der henviser til betænkning fra Udvalget om Økonomi og Valutaspørgsmål og udtalelser fra Udvalget om Retlige Anliggender og Det Indre Marked, Udvalget om Industripolitik, Eksterne Økonomiske For- bindelser, Forskning og Energi og Udvalget om Miljø- og Sundhedsanliggender og Forbrugerpolitik (A5-0059/2000), A. der henviser til, at ovennævnte meddelelse danner grundlag for et kommende arbejdsprogram på dette område, som udmøntes i 43 konkrete foranstaltninger, der skal iværksættes i løbet af fem år med henblik på at få fuldt udbytte af de fordele, som indførelsen af euroen medfører, og sikre stabilitet og konkurrence på Unionens finansielle markeder, B. der henviser til, at de strategiske målsætninger, der opstilles i handlingsplanen (et indre engrosmarked i EU, åbne og sikre detailmarkeder, moderne tilsynsregler og overvågning samt bredere betingelser for et optimalt indre finansielt marked), kan opsummeres i to punkter, nemlig udbygning af det indre mar- ked for tekniske tjenesteydelser (liberalisering af sektoren) og forbedring af visse tekniske aspekter (nedbringe systemrisikoen og/eller forbedre systemerne til beregning af disse risici samt at gøre det lettere at gennemføre transaktioner), (1) EFT C 270 af 24. 9. 1999, s. 7


title: 2000/303/EG: Aanbeveling van de Commissie van 13 april 2000 betreffende de vermindering van de CO2-uitstoot van personenauto's (KAMA) (kennisgeving geschied onder nummer C(2000) 801) (Voor de EER relevante tekst)

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North Korea
air quality
environmental protection
motor car
motor vehicle industry
new technology

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text: 20. 4. 2000 NL Publicatieblad van de Europese Gemeenschappen L 100/55 AANBEVELING VAN DE COMMISSIE van 13 april 2000 betreffende de vermindering van de CO2-uitstoot van personenauto's (KAMA) (kennisgeving geschied onder nummer C(2000) 801) (Voor de EER relevante tekst) (2000/303/EG) DE COMMISSIE VAN DE EUROPESE GEMEENSCHAPPEN, Gelet op het Verdrag tot oprichting van de Europese Gemeen- schap, en met name op artikel 211, tweede streepje, Overwegende hetgeen volgt: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) De Commissie heeft ter beperking van de CO2-uitstoot door personenauto's en ter verbetering van het brand- stofrendement een communautaire strategie voorge- steld (1). De Raad (Milieu) heeft in zĳn conclusies van 25 juni 1996 de Commissie uitgenodigd de noodzakelĳke maat- regelen te nemen om de voornaamste elementen van deze strategie ten uitvoer te leggen. Een milieuconvenant met de automobielindustrie is een van de voornaamste elementen in de communautaire strategie. Zowel de Commissie als de Raad is van mening dat de automobielindustrie zich krachtens een dergelĳke overeenkomst ertoe dient te verbinden de grootste bĳdrage te leveren tot het bereiken van de algehele doelstelling van de strategie om tegen het een ten CO 2-uitstootdoelstelling van 120 g/km CO2 voor het gemiddelde van de nieuw ingeschreven personenauto's te bereiken. jaar 2005, in 2010, laatste en De Koreaanse Associatie van Automobielfabrikanten (KAMA) is met steun van de aangesloten personenauto- fabrikanten een verbintenis betreffende de vermindering van de CO 2-uitstoot van nieuwe personenauto's aange- gaan, hierna „verbintenis” genoemd. De Commissie kan zich vinden in de verplichtingen welke KAMA in haar verbintenis is aangegaan. De Commissie aanvaardt de uitgangspunten van de verbintenis en zal de situatie tezamen met KAMA evalu- eren en zal in goed vertrouwen met aanpassingen van de verbintenis instemmen ingeval de uitgangspunten niet door de feiten worden bevestigd. De verbintenis is gebaseerd op de eisen van Richtlĳn 98/70/EG van het Europees Parlement en de Raad van 13 oktober 1998 betreffende de kwaliteit van benzine en van dieselbrandstof en tot wĳziging van Richtlĳn 93/12/EEG van de Raad (2), hoewel KAMA verwacht dat de gemiddelde kwaliteit van de op de markt verkrĳgbare brandstof beter zaI zĳn dan op grond van deze wetge- ving is vereist. (1) COM(95) 689 def. van 20 december 1995. (2) PB L 350 van 28. 12. 1998, blz. 58. (8) (9) De Commissie en KAMA komen overeen gezamenlĳk de maatregelen van de verbintenis, de uitgangspunten daarvan alsmede een aantal andere ontwikkelingen te zullen volgen. De verbintenis bevat de bepaling dat geen aanvullende belastingmaatregelen nodig zĳn om KAMA te helpen de CO2-doelstellingen te bereiken. De verbintenis doet geen afbreuk aan het recht van de Gemeenschap of haar lidstaten om hun rechten uit te oefenen op het gebied van het fiscale beleid zoals bepaald in de strategie. Het effect van belastingmaatregelen zal worden beoordeeld in de context van de bewaking van de verbintenis. (10) De Commissie is voornemens wetgeving inzake de CO2-uitstoot van personenauto's voor te stellen, mocht KAMA de CO2-uitstootdoelstelling voor 2009 in de verbintenis niet bereiken of deze doelstelling niet voldoende benaderen (met name gemeten aan de hand van de in de verbintenis geraamde doelzone voor 2004) en mocht de Commissie niet ervan overtuigd zĳn dat dit te wĳten is aan factoren waarvoor KAMA niet verant- woordelĳk kan worden gesteld. (11) De Commissie heeft soortgelĳke aanbevelingen tot de Europese (3) en de Japanse (4) associaties van automobiel- fabrikanten gericht, met het oog op gelĳkwaardige -uitstoot van inspanningen ter vermindering van de CO2 de door hen in de Gemeenschap verkochte auto's, met die waarin de verbintenis voorziet, BEVEELT AAN: Artikel 1 1. De leden van de Koreaanse Associatie van Automobielfa- brikanten (KAMA) bereiken, voornamelĳk door technologische ontwikkelingen en marktontwikkelingen die hiermee verband houden, gezamenlĳk een CO 2-uitstootdoelstelling van 140 g/ , gemeten overeenkomstig Richtlĳn 93/116/EG van de km CO2 Commissie (5), voor het gemiddelde van de nieuwe in de Gemeenschap verkochte auto's (categorie M1 als gedefinieerd in bĳlage I bĳ Richtlĳn 70/156/EEG van de Raad (6)) voor 2009. -uitstootdoelstellingen wordt Voor het bereiken van deze CO2 innovatieve ontwerpen voor voer- rekening gehouden met voertuigen en personenauto's tuigen die conventionele vervangen en die geen CO 2-uitstoot produceren of alternatieve brandstoffen gebruiken, ook al behoren deze niet tot categorie M1 of vallen zĳ thans niet onder Richtlĳn 93/116/EG. (3) PB L 40 van 13. 2. 1999, blz. 49. (4) Zie bladzĳde 57 van dit Publicatieblad. (5) PB L 329 van 30. 12. 1993, blz. 39. (6) PB L 42 van 23. 2. 1970, blz. 1. L 100/56 NL Publicatieblad van de Europese Gemeenschappen 20. 4. 2000 Bĳ de bewaking van de verbintenis werkt KAMA met de Commissie samen bĳ het vaststellen van het effect van markt- ontwikkelingen die geen verband houden met de invoering van nieuwe technologieën. te bereiken in de orde van grootte van 165-170 g/km CO2, gemeten overeenkomstig Richtlĳn 93/116/EG. KAMA werkt bĳ de bewaking van de verbintenis met de 5. Commissie samen. KAMA evalueert in 2004 de mogelĳkheden voor extra 2. verbeteringen van het brandstofrendement met het oog op een volgende stap naar de doelstelling van 120 g/km CO2 voor het jaar 2012. Individuele 3. leden van KAMA brengen zo spoedig mogelĳk na het jaar 2000 modellen op de markt van de Gemeenschap die 120 g/km CO2 of minder uitstoten, gemeten overeenkomstig Richtlĳn 93/116/EG. 4. jaar 2004 gezamenlĳk een tussentĳdse CO2 De leden van KAMA stellen alles in het werk om voor het -uitstootdoelstelling Artikel 2 Deze aanbeveling is gericht tot de Koreaanse Associatie van Automobielfabrikanten (KAMA). Gedaan te Brussel, 13 april 2000. Voor de Commissie Margot WALLSTRÖM Lid van de Commissie


title: Parere del Comitato delle regioni sulla "Relazione della Commissione al Consiglio europeo Legiferare meglio 1999"

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access to information
citizens' Europe
drafting of EU law
principle of subsidiarity

text: C 226/60 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee 8. 8. 2000 Parere del Comitato delle regioni sulla «Relazione della Commissione al Consiglio europeo “Legiferare meglio 1999”» (2000/C 226/16) IL COMITATO DELLE REGIONI, visto il Trattato che istituisce la Comunità europea (Trattato CE), ed in particolare l’articolo 5; visto il Trattato di Amsterdam, e in particolare il Protocollo 7 sull’applicazione dei principi di sussidiarietà e di proporzionalità, nonché la Dichiarazione n. 39 sulla qualità redazionale della legislazione comunitaria; viste le conclusioni della Presidenza dell’11 dicembre 1999 (Helsinki) secondo le quali «Il Consiglio europeo accoglie con soddisfazione la relazione della Commissione dal titolo “Legiferare meglio” che conferma la priorità riservata ai principi di sussidiarietà e di proporzionalità nonché l’applicazione integrale del pertinente protocollo del trattato»; vista la Relazione della Commissione al Consiglio europeo dal titolo «Legiferare meglio 1999» (COM(1999) 562 def. ); vista la Risoluzione adottata dal Parlamento europeo il 18 dicembre 1998 in merito alla Relazione della Commissione al Consiglio europeo intitolata «Legiferare meglio 1997»; visto il proprio parere dell’11 marzo 1999 sul «Principio di sussidiarietà “Verso un’autentica cultura della sussidiarietà! — Un appello del Comitato delle regioni”» (CdR 302/98 fin) (1); visto il proprio parere del 15 settembre 1999 in merito alla Relazione della Commissione al Consiglio europeo «Legiferare meglio 1998. Una responsabilità comune» (CdR 50/99 fin) (2); vista la decisione del proprio Ufficio di presidenza del 17 novembre 1999, conformemente al disposto dell’art. 265, quinto comma, del Trattato che istituisce la Comunità europea, di elaborare un parere al riguardo, e d’incaricare la Commissione «Affari istituzionali» della preparazione di detto documento; visto il parere formulato dalla Commissione «Affari istituzionali» l’8 marzo 2000 (Relatore: Stoiber D- EPP) (CdR 18/2000 riv. 1); considerando che il principio di sussidiarietà, ripreso nel 1992 dal Trattato di Maastricht nell’attuale articolo 5 del Trattato CE, è un principio di diritto che va ulteriormente sviluppato e che deve assicurare che le decisioni nell’Unione europea vengano prese vicino ai cittadini; considerando che il principio di sussidiarietà, cosı` come viene definito nei Trattati e nel Protocollo n. 7 del Trattato di Amsterdam, riguarda, conformemente al disposto dell’articolo 5, primo comma del Trattato CE, i settori che non sono di esclusiva competenza della Comunità e indica come salvaguardare tali competenze a livello comunitario, fermi restando l’acquis comunitario e l’equilibrio istituzionale; considerando che, in un’Europa in cui per un numero crescente di settori UE è alla ricerca di risposte comunitarie, la rigorosa applicazione del principio di sussidiarietà risulta oggi particolarmente importante al fine di tenere sufficientemente conto degli interessi delle regioni e dei comuni, (1) GU C 198 del 14. 7. 1999, pag. 73. (2) GU C 374 del 23. 12. 1999, pag. 11. 8. 8. 2000 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee C 226/61 ha adottato, nel corso della 33a sessione plenaria del 12/13 aprile 2000 (seduta del 13 aprile), il seguente parere. 1. Posizione del Comitato delle regioni in merito alla Relazione della Commissione 1. 1. Nella relazione «Legiferare meglio 1999» la Commis- sione si riferisce ai principi della sussidiarietà e della proporzio- nalità definendoli «un contesto in continua evoluzione» che va ulteriormente sviluppato. Osserva tuttavia anche che il numero di settori che 1. 2. necessitano di regolamenti comunitari è in costante aumento. Fa quindi riferimento alle nuove disposizioni del Trattato di Amsterdam, alla sanità pubblica e alla creazione di uno spazio di libertà, di sicurezza e di giustizia decisa dopo il Consiglio di Tampere, e al settore alimentare. Il Comitato conviene con la Commissione sul fatto che 1. 3. debba essere possibile introdurre nuovi regolamenti comunita- ri sulla base delle disposizioni del Trattato. In questo caso occorre tuttavia porsi il problema di sapere se gli obiettivi fissati non possano essere realizzati ricorrendo a misure prese a livello nazionale e/o regionale. Anche nei settori menzionati dalla Commissione è possibile dare una risposta solo in funzione delle circostanze e delle esigenze. 1. 4. Il Comitato considera, come la Commissione, che la sussidiarietà e la proporzionalità rivestiranno un’importanza ancora maggiore nella prospettiva dell’allargamento. Si pone la questione fondamentale delle implicazioni che esso avrà per le politiche comunitarie. Quanto più l’Unione si allargherà, tanto più sarà difficile definire cio` che deve essere veramente trattato a livello europeo e come realizzare efficacemente nuove forme di partnership tra i vari livelli di governo. 1. 5. Malgrado i progressi fatti ed il proseguimento di tutti gli sforzi compiuti dalla Commissione, è sempre più palese che, a fronte delle nuove competenze che i Capi di governo attribuiscono alla Commissione e del previsto allargamento ad Est dell’Unione europea, il principio di sussidiarietà e di proporzionalità non garantiscono che in futuro la legislazione europea si concentri sull’essenziale. norme in merito alle competenze sono impostate in funzione dei compiti e degli obiettivi. In tale contesto il Comitato si è già più volte espresso a favore dell’apertura tempestiva di una discussione sulla ripartizione delle competenze, al fine di consentire alle regioni e agli enti locali di ampliare il loro margine d’azione. La Conferenza intergovernativa deve trattare la questione della sussidiarietà e della proporzionalità e presentare proposte per ciascun settore. Laddove possibile, la necessità e la capacità di intervento dell’UE devono essere ridotte mediante il decentra- mento o alternative non legislative. L’autoregolamentazione e gli accordi volontari producono risultati ben superiori alla disciplina legislativa. In altri settori potrebbe essere necessario un maggiore intervento da parte dell’UE. 1. 6. In base al Trattato CE, il principio di sussidiarietà non si applica nei settori di esclusiva competenza legislativa dell’UE. Dato che, in passato, nonostante tale limitazione, la Commissione europea ha interpretato in modo molto lato il concetto di «competenza esclusiva della Comunità» (Art. 5, primo comma, Trattato CE), c’è da preoccuparsi che, per effetto di tale prassi, la portata del principio di sussidiarietà risulti diminuita. Sarebbe pertanto opportuno definire in maniera vincolante nel Trattato o in un protocollo ad esso allegato le competenze esclusive della Comunità. 1. 7. Il Comitato osserva inoltre che la clausola generale di cui all’articolo 308 era indubbiamente giustificata nella fase iniziale dell’integrazione, in quanto si proponeva di colmare le involontarie lacune nelle competenze e di assicurare un rapido conseguimento degli obiettivi dell’integrazione. L’articolo 308 del Trattato CE ha perso pero` ormai tale funzione e dovrebbe pertanto essere eliminato dal Trattato CE. Le regioni e gli enti locali chiedono che sia sostituito da una procedura semplificata di revisione dei Trattati che consenta di apportare le necessarie modifiche alle competenze nel rispetto dello stato di diritto e della legittimità democratica. Una migliore delimitazione delle competenze dell’UE 1. 8. contribuirebbe non da ultimo a rendere più trasparenti le attuali responsabilità politiche per i cittadini, le regioni, gli Stati membri e gli stessi organi dell’UE. Disposizioni di attribuzione delle competenze delimitate con chiarezza accre- scerebbero le possibilità di passare alla votazione a maggioran- za in modo da determinare un complessivo miglioramento della capacità di azione dell’UE. E` pertanto necessario integrare i principi di sussidiarietà e di proporzionalità con una definizione delle competenze che tenga conto delle capacità di intervento e di collaborazione dei vari enti territoriali e che possa essere modificata, se necessario, in funzione della quantità dei risultati ottenuti. Il principio di attribuzione limitata delle competenze è sancito dal Trattato le attuali (cfr. articolo 5, primo comma, del Trattato CE); 1. 9. Secondo il Comitato, il diritto del Comitato e delle regioni dotate di competenze legislative di adire la Corte di Giustizia delle Comunità europee favorirebbe altresı` il rafforzamento della sussidiarietà e della proporzionalità. Tale diritto contribuirebbe a rivalutare lo status del Comitato, assicurando il pieno rispetto dei suoi diritti e consentendo il C 226/62 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee 8. 8. 2000 ricorso nei casi di violazione della sussidiarietà. Quanto alle regioni, il diritto di adire la Corte di Giustizia contribuirebbe a tutelare i loro poteri legislativi da interferenze illegittime. Con l’attribuzione al Comitato delle regioni del rango di istituzione conformemente al disposto dell’articolo 7 del Trattato CE si risolverebbe la questione senza bisogno di modificare l’articolo. 1. 10. Un corretto esercizio della democrazia nell’UE non puo` prescindere dalla trasparenza dei Trattati e delle procedure decisionali e dalla loro intelligibilità per i cittadini. Al riguardo sono necessarie una razionalizzazione ed una semplificazione. Il Comitato appoggia quindi le proposte secondo cui i Trattati dovrebbero confluire in un solo testo composto di due sezioni: a) una sezione «costituzionale» o di base contenente un preambolo, gli obiettivi dell’Unione, i diritti fondamentali e le disposizioni relative alle istituzioni e alle modalità di attribuzione delle competenze, e che puo` essere modificata solo in sede di CIG; e b) una sezione che verta in particolare su questioni tecniche, procedurali o istituzionali, nella misura in cui esse possano essere disciplinate anche dal diritto secondario. Detta sezione puo` essere modificata in base ad una procedura comunitaria semplificata che non necessita di una Confe- renza intergovernativa. La delega di competenze dagli Stati membri all’Unione europea richiede in ogni caso l’approvazione dei Parlamenti degli Stati membri. 1. 11. Già nel proprio parere sulla relazione del 1998 sulla sussidiarietà il Comitato ha osservato che il principio di sussidiarietà è anche un principio regolatore delle relazioni tra locali e che l’Unione europea, gli Stati membri e gli enti pertanto la definizione di cui all’articolo 5 dovrebbe applicarsi alle relazioni tra la Comunità, gli Stati membri e gli enti locali e regionali, senza pregiudicare il fatto che le relazioni tra gli enti locali e gli Stati sono disciplinate dai rispettivi sistemi costituzionali. 1. 12. Il Trattato prevede, come desidera ribadire il Comita- to, che le decisioni vengano prese ad un livello quanto più vicino possibile al cittadino, e questo livello non sempre coincide con il livello nazionale. Il principio di sussidiarietà va pertanto visto come principio della vicinanza al cittadino e dell’efficienza. 2. Raccomandazioni del Comitato delle regioni in merito alla Relazione della Commissione 2. 1. Il Comitato si rammarica del fatto che la proposta formulata nel proprio parere in merito alla Relazione della Commissione «Legiferare meglio 1998. Una responsabilità comune» non sia stata finora accolta in altri documenti. Con tale proposta il Comitato si è pronunciato a favore di una divisione dei due settori di applicazione del principio di sussidiarietà e della proporzionalità da un lato e delle questioni concernenti la qualità formale dei testi dall’altro. Il Comitato ribadisce che questo approccio comune non è adatto a promuovere un esame ed una discussione approfondita delle due tematiche in parola che, pur essendo di natura assai diversa, rivestono un’importanza decisiva per il ravvicinamen- to dell’Unione europea ai cittadini. Il Comitato apprezza inoltre l’impegno dimostrato 2. 2. dalla Commissione europea nella Relazione «Legiferare meglio» di rispettare il principio di sussidiarietà e di proporzionalità nell’esercizio dei propri poteri legislativi e regolamentari, contribuendo con numerose proposte di codificazione all’abro- gazione di un gran numero di atti legislativi. In tal modo ha anche contribuito all’abrogazione di interventi di regolamenta- zione che costituivano un’ingerenza nelle competenze regiona- li o comunali o che potevano manifestamente essere gestiti meglio dai livelli di amministrazione più prossimi al cittadino. Inoltre, per ciascuna delle proposte presentate dalla Commis- sione, occorre valutare le conseguenze finanziarie che saranno a carico degli Stati membri, e in particolare degli enti territoria- li, nell’ambito dei settori di loro competenza. 2. 3. Il Comitato si compiace del fatto che, conformemente al Protocollo del Trattato di Amsterdam, la Commissione si sforzi sempre più di scegliere una forma quanto più semplice possibile per le proprie misure e di operare nella stessa direzione nell’attuazione e nell’osservanza delle stesse. 2. 4. La comprensione della legislazione comunitaria da parte dei suoi destinatari è essenziale in un’Europa che ci si augura più trasparente e più vicina al cittadino. Il Comitato approva pertanto gli sforzi compiuti dalla Commissione per redigere testi sempre più chiari, coerenti e senza ambiguità, al fine di garantire un’applicazione uniforme della legislazione in tutti gli Stati membri. Tale esigenza è ancora più forte se si considera che in ultima analisi i testi adottati sono spesso il prodotto di compromessi la cui trasposizione nelle legislazioni nazionali non è sempre agevole. 2. 5. Secondo il Comitato, l’accordo interistituzionale sulla qualità redazionale della legislazione comunitaria, adottato nel dicembre 1998, costituisce un passo avanti in questa direzione. 2. 6. Il Comitato ritiene che la Commissione dovrebbe continuare ad impegnarsi in modo da semplificare quanto più possibile la legislazione. Dovrebbe inoltre agire per evitare che le proprie proposte vengano vanificate dai lavori nelle altre istituzioni. Il Comitato prende atto con interesse del punto in cui 2. 7. la Commissione riferisce che il Consiglio ed il Parlamento non attuano in egual misura le sue proposte a favore della semplificazione delle disposizioni legislative o che le attuano in ritardo rispetto ai termini proposti. Sollecita pertanto il Consiglio ed il Parlamento a partecipare agli sforzi compiuti dalla Commissione per la semplificazione dei testi giuridici. 8. 8. 2000 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee C 226/63 2. 8. Secondo il Comitato, l’iniziativa SLIM (semplificare la legislazione del mercato interno) costituisce un’azione adatta a favorire la semplificazione. Il Comitato accoglie inoltre con favore l’esercizio di valutazione sviluppato dalla Commissione in collaborazione con gli Stati membri. profilo dell’attenzione all’utente, in particolare per quanto attiene ai meccanismi di stampa dei documenti selezionati. Si ricorda a tale proposito il problema degli allegati sotto forma di tabelle, spesso indispensabili per l’interpretazione e l’applicazione della normativa stessa. Il Comitato si compiace dell’iniziativa della Commis- 2. 9. sione intesa a proseguire l’aggiornamento (consolidamento) informativo che deve rispondere alle esigenze di tutti gli utilizzatori del diritto comunitario. Le informazioni disponibili sui supporti informatici Eur-Lex e Celex, che l’anno scorso hanno consentito di mettere a disposizione del pubblico i testi di circa 500 atti consolidati in tutte le versioni linguistiche, facilitano notevolmente il lavoro. Inoltre si sottolinea che la recente risistemazione del sito di Celex, pur aumentando la disponibilità dei formati accessibili, ha notevoli lacune sotto il 2. 10. Al fine di rendere l’Unione europea più trasparente e comprensibile, e quindi di porla al servizio dei cittadini, risulta essenziale innanzitutto migliorare l’accesso dei cittadini alle informazioni sul diritto comunitario. Oltre agli opuscoli d’informazione e alle guide finora utilizzate, le nuove tecnolo- gie offrono strumenti efficienti. La Commissione è invitata a sfruttare ancora più a fondo tali possibilità. Un esempio del crescente interesse dei cittadini per l’Europa è il server Europa della Commissione. Occorre comunque rendere i vari siti ancora più facili da utilizzare e più accessibili, potenziandone le possibilità di contatti simultanei. Bruxelles, 13 aprile 2000. Il Presidente del Comitato delle regioni Jos CHABERT


title: Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the "9th and 10th Annual Reports of the Structural Funds (1997 and 1998) ERDF — ESF — EAGGF — FIFG"

eurovoc_concepts:
Structural Funds
activity report
regional policy
report

text: C 226/68 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 8. 2000 Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the ‘9th and 10th Annual Reports of the Structural Funds (1997 and 1998) ERDF — ESF — EAGGF — FIFG’ (2000/C 226/18) THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS, having regard to the 9th annual report of the Structural Funds (1997) — ERDF — ESF — EAGGF — FIFG (COM(1998) 562 final); having regard to the 10th annual report of the Structural Funds (1998) — ERDF — ESF — EAGGF — FIFG (COM(1999) 467 final); having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau on 2 June 1999, under Article 265(5) of the Treaty establishing the European Community, to draw up an opinion on the subject and to direct Commission 1 for Regional Policy, Structural Funds, Economic and Social Cohesion and Cross-Border and Inter-Regional Cooperation to carry out the preparatory work; having regard to the Draft Opinion adopted by Commission 1 on 2 February 2000 (CdR 220/99 rev. 3) (rapporteur: Mr Willy Burgeon, President of the Union of Municipalities and Local Authorities of Wallonia, B/PSE); adopted the following opinion at its 33rd plenary session on 12 and 13 April 2000 (meeting of 13 April). 1. General background 1. 5. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) was set up accordingly in 1975. At first it was used only to provide compensation for national regional policy measures, in line with national quotas fixed by the Council of Ministers (1). 1. 1. This opinion has a dual purpose. First, it picks up the main themes in the annual reports, and, second, it analyses the situation in 1997 and 1998. 1. 2. The COR will attempt to take an analytical approach, focusing as much as possible on Structural Fund strategies and their impact over time, and treating 1997 as a turning point between past and future reforms. To this end, a brief recap of 1. 3. intent underlying the 1975 establishment of the Structural Funds and the various reforms applied in 1984, 1988 and 1993 is useful. the political The beginning 1. 6. The 1972 (United Kingdom, Denmark and Ireland), 1981 (Greece) and 1986 (Spain and Portugal) enlargements led the European Community to look at the regional conver- gence issue more closely. This led on to the question of the balance between geographical regions with differing levels of industrial intensity (North-South, peripheral countries). The effects of German unification and the future eastward enlarge- ment of the European Union were also considered in this context (2). 1. 7. Article 130c of the Treaty of Maastricht states that the ERDF is ‘intended to help redress the main regional imbalances in the Community through participation in the development and structural adjustment of regions whose development is lagging behind and in the conversion of declining industrial regions’. 1. 4. The origin of the Funds lies in the Treaty of Rome and in its mission to promote ‘overall harmonious development’ of the economies of the Member States and reduce ‘disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions’. (1) CRISP weekly newsletter — 1998 No. 1605-1606: ‘La réforme des fonds structurels européens’ by Luc Vandendorpe, p. 6. (2) CRISP weekly newsletter — 1998 No. 1605-1606: ‘La réforme des fonds structurels européens’ by Luc Vandendorpe, p. 7. 8. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 226/69 The 1984 reform 1993 reform (3) Two major changes were made in 1984, one technical 1. 8. and the other political: 1. 11. In addition to bolstering the main principles of the 1988 reform, the 1993 reform developed two of them further and brought in a new concept: (1) flat-rate national quotas were replaced with indicative allocation bands for each country; (2) 20 % of ERDF funds were allocated directly to Community programmes set up by the European Commission (1). 1. 9. The European Council thus gave the European Com- mission a degree of financial autonomy. This change laid the foundations for the principle of partnership between the European Commission and the Member States. The 1988 reform (2) 1. 10. much more effective tools geared to furthering their goals: The 1988 reform equipped the Structural Funds with (1) Structural Fund spending doubled between 1987 and 1993, rising from 15 % of Community spending in 1988 to 31 % in 1993. (2) Essential changes were made to improve application of the Funds: — assistance was targeted at the poorest regions in the Community, — and focused on certain specific areas (infrastructure, development of SMEs, training); — more attention was given to the necessary planning and coordination of measures. (3) Priority objectives and the concept of eligible areas were established. (4) The concepts of horizontal and vertical partnerships and programming came into being. (5) The concept of additionality (financing provided by ben- eficiary States must not fall below the levels allocated before the Structural Fund contribution) was reaffirmed. (1) C o n c e n t r a t i o n The principle concentrating funds in the poorest 1. 12. regions of the Union was upheld, while focusing aid on six priority objectives (1, 2, 3, 4, 5a and 5b). (2) P a r t n e r s h i p Partnership remains the cornerstone of the Structural 1. 13. Fund management system. The reform strengthened vertical partnership by simplifying formal Commission approval pro- cedures. The importance of horizontal partnership was also confirmed, as was the need to involve the social partners in the process. (3) E v a l u a t i o n ( 4) In the Committee’s view this aspect of the reform 1. 14. marked a major development. From this point on, the Structural Fund regulations included an obligation for Member States and the Commission to conduct systematic programme evaluations before, during and after implementation. 1. 15. The European conference on evaluation (Berlin, 2- 3 December 1996) thus specified three essential components of a good evaluation: — evaluations must be carried out before, during and after the practical implementation of structural measures; — evaluations must be based on the qualitative and quantitat- ive information available to managers and also on inter- views with the beneficiaries; — evaluations must apply a number of techniques and methodologies whose conclusions can be recognised as valid by the experts. (1) CRISP weekly newsletter — 1998 No. 1605-1606: ‘La réforme des fonds structurels européens’ by Luc Vandendorpe, p. 8. (2) Points discussed in the CRISP weekly newsletter — 1998 No. 1605-1606: ‘La réforme des fonds structurels européens’ by Luc Vandendorpe, pp. 9-14. (3) Points discussed in the CRISP weekly newsletter — 1998 No. 1605-1606: ‘La réforme des fonds structurels européens’ by Luc Vandendorpe, pp. 14-19. (4) Points discussed in the CRISP weekly newsletter — 1998 No. 1605-1606: ‘La réforme des fonds structurels européens’ by Luc Vandendorpe, pp. 18-19. C 226/70 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 8. 2000 2. Agenda 2000 Having briefly recapped the history of the Structural 2. 1. Funds, the Committee feels that activity in 1997 must be considered within the context of the future strategy provided by the new 2000-2006 reform. 2. 2. The Agenda 2000 reform was published by the Commission on 16 July 1997. It had both an economic and a political context. In economic terms, the background was belt- tightening (resulting from the tough budgetary criteria imposed for economic and monetary union), while the political back- drop was enlargement of the European Union (1). The new reform centred on four pillars (2). (1) Continuing the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund 2. 3. The continuation of the Structural Funds is part of the ongoing drive towards regional convergence within the European Union. The continuation of the Cohesion Fund, meanwhile, fits into a rationale of promoting social cohesion and making it possible for the cohesion countries to carry out national programmes aimed at fulfilment of the convergence criteria for the third stage of economic and monetary union. — cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation, aimed at promoting harmonious and balanced spatial planning; — rural development; — human resources, paying special attention to equal oppor- tunities. (3) Developing partnership 2. 6. Structural Fund measures will be made more effective by means of a new approach to the partnership between the Commission and the Member States. Programme management will be decentralised to Member States and regions, while in return the Commission will demand a stricter selection process for defining upstream priorities. (4) Reinforcing evaluation systems 2. 7. Under Agenda 2000, the Commission has prepared proposals for framework regulations to govern the Structural and Cohesion Funds for the 2000-2006 period, with a view to shoring up monitoring and assessment systems and controls. The proposals include: (2) Increasing concentration — a general regulation on the Structural Funds; This principle is still central to the workings of the 2. 4. Structural Funds. Structural measures must thus focus more closely on less-privileged communities, by targeting three main objectives: — specific regulations for each fund; — a revision of the Cohesion Fund, and — Objective 1: aimed at regions whose development is lagging behind; determined in accordance with per capita GDP; — Objective 2: for the economic and social regeneration of regions with structural problems. This covers areas undergoing industrial conversion, urban areas and rural areas. The criteria used are broader than those used for the former Objective 2; — Objective 3: totally redefined, now aimed at specific human resource development initiatives in all regions no longer qualifying for Objectives 1 and 2. Again in the interests of simplification, the number of 2. 5. Community initiatives has been reduced to three: (1) Points discussed in the CRISP weekly newsletter — 1998 No. 1605-1606: ‘La réforme des fonds structurels européens’ by Luc Vandendorpe, p. 20. (2) Points discussed in the CRISP weekly newsletter — 1998 No. 1605-1606: ‘La réforme des fonds structurels européens’ by Luc Vandendorpe, pp. 22-26. — a regulation on a new pre-accession instrument. 3. The Structural Funds in 1997 3. 0. The points discussed in this section are based on or taken from the European Commission’s 9th Annual Report on the Structural Funds 1997 (ERDF — ESF — EAGGF — FIFG). A. Overview 3. 1. In 1997, during discussions on the future reform of the Structural Funds (2000-2006) and their global approach to economic and social cohesion policy, the proposal was made to reduce the number of objectives, simplify procedures, concentrate assistance and reduce the number of programmes implemented, particularly as regards the Community initiat- ives. A call was also made to monitor the impact of Community assistance, and to set objective criteria for measuring the effectiveness of expenditure. 8. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 226/71 3. 2. It was also concluded that, in the interests of greater EU economic and social cohesion, the regions must diversify their economic base and develop their innovation capacity. The Structural Funds must give firmer support to the acquisition of knowledge and continuing training, and must stimulate employment and competitiveness in all possible ways. essential in view of the ambitious goals the Commission has set itself. Three decisions were taken in this area in 1997, resulting in: 1. data sheets on eligibility of expenditure; 3. 3. The above thus contains references to such important concepts as diversification, innovation, employment and com- petitiveness. 2. a regulation (EC 2064/97) setting out the rules the Member States must observe for financial control of operations part-financed by the Structural Funds; 3. 4. Work conducted in 1997 highlighted six priorities for adjustment of the Funds up until the end of 1999: 3. internal Commission guidelines on the application of net financial corrections. 1. basic infrastructure 2. the productive environment 3. RTD and the information society 4. the environment and sustainable development 5. human resources and education 6. equal opportunities for men and women. These priorities are designed to encourage national and 3. 5. regional partners to ensure the quality and effectiveness of programmes. In 1997, 3. 6. the Commission adopted 88 new pro- grammes under the various objectives. Most, however, were Objective 2 programmes for the 1997-1999 period. This is a clear sign that safeguarding and promoting employment is an absolute priority for future work. In addition to the current approach, the Commission has restated its intention to use appropriate means, when the time comes, to summarise the content of the territorial employment pacts and thus draw conclusions for job creation. 3. 7. Furthermore, 33 new Community initiative pro- grammes were adopted. These included the final programmes provided for under the initial allocation, plus five technical assistance programmes, and the first programmes to be financed following the distribution of the reserve decided by the Commission in 1996. For the first time, it was possible to confirm that all the Community initiatives originally planned for the 1994-1999 period had actually been implemented, to varying degrees, in 1997. 3. 8. The SEM 2000 initiative, designed to improve the management and control of the Structural Funds, will prove The thematic priorities for cohesion focus on five main 3. 9. areas: (1) On the challenge of the information society, the report rightly notes that the capacity of the regions to use the the information society is an increasingly tools of important factor determining their competitiveness on European and world markets. (2) Regarding the urban agenda, the central concern is to draw up a coordinated and coherent response to a growing number of urban problems. The urban dimension must be integrated more strategically into future Union policies. Cities are and will remain the motors of economic growth, competitiveness and employment. (3) There is a need for a new Community Initiative for rural development beyond 1999, to encourage private initiative while safeguarding specific regional identity. (4) Regional policy and competition policy. There are diver- gences between the territorial coverage of national regional aid and that of the regional objectives of the Structural Funds. The population in areas eligible under the funds is greater than that of areas eligible for assistance from the Member States. (5) Cohesion and competitiveness must be strengthened through research, technological development (RTD) and innovation. It is vitally important to direct these policies towards the productive fabric of the region. 3. 10. From a more practical standpoint, 1997 saw the full implementation of programming. It marked the start of the second part of the current programming period and the third full year of the funds’ work, with the exception of Spain for Objective 1 and Italy for Objective 2. C 226/72 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 8. 2000 3. 11. Special attention was given to the SME sector, which was earmarked 15 to 20 % of total fund resources. Several points are worth noting here. Firstly, since the funds concen- trate financing on Objective 1 regions, larger sums have gone to SME development in those regions than in the other eligible areas. Secondly, SMEs are the companies most exposed to industrial change, while also being good generators of employment. Objective 4 thus potentially concerns all workers, and particularly those in danger of losing their jobs. This is therefore preventive action, within an economic fabric made up largely of SMEs. Once again innovation will inevitably play a driving role in SME development. 3. 12. At the end of the 1994-1996 Objective 2 program- ming period, unused appropriations amounting to ECU 848 million were transferred to the 1997-1999 period. At the end of 1997, there were 1,026 programmes including 580 under the various objectives and 446 under the various intense Community initiatives. 1997 was also a year of financial activity, as much work was done to clear the backlog in payments of appropriations. The following was committed: — 62 % of Community contributions for the 1994-1999 period (46 % paid); — 100 % of national programmes for all objectives in 1997 (for the first time in the 1994-1999 period), with the exception of Objective 5a (36 % of commitments for the ‘fisheries’ strand). 3. 14. More than ECU 1 billion, i. e. 5 % of payments made over the year, corresponded to pre-1994 commitments, 40 % of which went to projects in Italy. i. e. 3. 15. Each of the Structural Funds may finance innovative measures and technical assistance, for studies, pilot In 1997, 49 new pilot measures or technical assistance. projects and innovative measures were set up, costing a total of ECU 100 million, under Article 10 of the ERDF. They fell into three categories: urban pilot projects, spatial planning pilot measures and TERRA interregional cooperation projects in specific areas of spatial planning. A further 200 innovative projects financed by the 3. 16. ERDF were implemented in the following areas: new sources of employment, culture and heritage, regional innovation strategies (RIS), technology transfer (RTT), information society (RISI) and external (ECOS-Ouverture) and internal (Recite II) interregional cooperation. 3. 17. SME support provides the main theme of the Structur- al Fund report for 1997. SMEs employ 66 % of the private sector work force and generate 60 % of the turnover of EU companies. Their growth is therefore a key factor in boosting employment and reaching a higher level of economic and social cohesion in the Union. 3. 18. For the current programming period (1994-1999), 15-20 % of Structural Fund resources are specifically devoted to SME support, totalling between 23 and 30 billion ecus. This financing is divided among a broad range of measures. The most important include: — aid for capital investment through direct grants or financial engineering measures (venture capital funds); The following was paid out: — part-financing of business start-up areas; — 100 % of the appropriations available for all objectives at the end of 1997 (a clear improvement on 1996 when only two objectives were fully paid out); — training (Objective 4 and the ‘Adapt’ Community Initiative); — by the end of 1997, a cumulative total of 46 % of assistance for the period. For the Community initiatives, 56 % of total assist- 3. 13. ance for 1994-1999 was committed and 31 % paid out. In 1997, only 61 % of available commitments and 90 % (as opposed to 80 % in 1996) of available appropriations were actually used. Following delays on certain Community initiat- ives, plans are afoot with the Member States to reprogramme financial resources and reallocate them among the initiatives. — advice and information services; — measures to promote research and technological develop- ment and integration into the information society; — assistance for internationalisation. 3. 19. Information on programme implementation in the Member States is provided in Annex I (Inforegio — Summary of the annual report / 17. 12. 1998 ‘L’action des Fonds struc- turels en 1997’). 8. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 226/73 B. Evaluation and analysis of the impact of the Structural Funds 4. 2. Alongside this principal theme, the 1998 report high- lights four major aspects of Structural Fund activity in 1998 in the area of economic and social cohesion: 3. 20. defined objectives: The Committee notes that there were two clearly (1) promoting the efficient use of the funds (2) preparing future programming of structural assistance. (1) A d o p t i o n o f t h e r e m a i n i n g p r o g r a m m e s The report states that as the penultimate year of the current programming period, 1998 saw a consolidation of program- ming including adoption of the last few programmes still to be approved. 3. 21. While the second should flow from the pooling of ideas, the first, relating to the efficient use of funds, is relevant here. (2) A c c e l e r a t i o n o f f i n a n c i a l e x e c u t i o n The European Union’s structural policy is often 3. 22. viewed as an important source of innovation in political and administrative procedures. The analysis of regional disparities, meanwhile, should enable major progress on theory. As with 1997, the Commission report notes that 1998 saw steps to clear the backlogs which had occurred at the beginning of the programming period. 3. 23. There has therefore been a shift in focus from regional growth to a mechanism to redistribute income between regions and thus reduce regional disparities. A European regional analysis is therefore based on the close intercon- nection of positive and normative objectives (e. g. per capita GDP and unemployment rates). Furthermore, while the Struc- tural Funds are certainly a very important factor in furthering interregional balance in the European Union, direct invest- ment, business initiative, technological development and scien- tific research remain the vital means of helping the less prosperous Member States catch up. 4. The Structural Funds in 1998 (3) I n c r e a s e d a t t e n t i o n t o p r i o r i t y t h e m e s The priority task of safeguarding and promoting employment continued to require sustained support. Therefore, the Com- mission devoted special efforts in 1998, as it had the year before, to giving new impetus to a number of its activities and priorities. It is important to note that the report states that Structural Fund operations will gradually take account of the national action plans for employment, creating an overall frame of reference for activities to promote human resources. Furthermore, with a view to gauging the true effectiveness and impact of the Structural Funds in the beneficiary regions, a series of mid-term evaluations was conducted during 1998 under Objectives 1 and 6. 4. 0. The points discussed in this section are based on or taken from the European Commission’s 10th Annual Report on the Structural Funds 1998 (ERDF — ESF — EAGGF — FIFG). Certain particularly significant passages from the 1998 report are quoted in their entirety. Other thematic priorities were also studied more closely during the year: — Structural Fund assistance in the field of RTD and inno- vation; A. Overview 4. 1. The 1998 annual report’s main theme is local develop- ment activities. Local development is a concept that has been evolving for a number of years, and all tiers of authority are becoming increasingly aware of its obvious benefits. — consistency between cohesion policy and competition policy; — synergy between cohesion policy and transport; — sustainable urban development; — Europe-wide spatial planning through the ESDP. C 226/74 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 8. 2000 (4) P r e p a r a t i o n s f o r g r a m m i n g p e r i o d t h e 2 0 0 0 - 2 0 0 6 p r o - stood at around 10 % at the end of 1998. Furthermore, it was very unevenly spread over the regions, ranging from 3 % or 4 % in some to 20 % to 24 % in others. Following the adoption of Agenda 2000 in July 1997, concrete preparation for the 2000-2006 period began in 1998. Pro- posals for regulations to govern the Structural Funds in the coming period were adopted by the Commission on 18 March 1998. The 1998 report reiterates the principles set out in Agenda 2000, which are enshrined in the General Regulation on the Structural Funds: — reduction of the priority objectives to three; — concentration of assistance on a smaller population and concurrent adoption of transitional support for regions which cease to be eligible; — reduction of the Community Initiatives to three (later widened again to four), each financed by only one Fund (ERDF, ESF or EAGGF); — simplification of programming and of the implementation of assistance; — clarification of responsibilities for monitoring and evalua- tion; — simplification of financial management by introducing a system of automatic annual commitments, with payments being used to refund proven expenditure; — reinforcement of financial monitoring and the introduction of a performance reserve. B. Preparation of the preliminary draft guidelines for the Funds for 2000-2006 4. 3. The Committee notes that the 6th periodic report on the economic and social situation and development of the regions formed, in the words of the annual report, ‘a basis for preparation of the preliminary draft guidelines for the Funds for 2000-2006’. This work demonstrated that the poorest regions were 4. 4. catching up with the rest of the Union at an astonishing rate, largely thanks to growing economic integration. Nevertheless, the report stresses that the Structural Funds too have played an important part. The report states that the macro-economic models used show that about one third of the convergence observed would not have been achieved without them. 4. 5. Much remains to be done, however, particularly on the employment front. The annual report states that despite the economic upturn, unemployment in the Union as a whole 4. 6. The issue of jobs obviously relates directly to unem- ployment. It is worth noting that a high rate of regional unemployment leads to social exclusion, which makes unem- ployment more resistant to an economic upturn. To remedy this situation, an integrated strategy is needed combining measures to strengthen the economic base of the regions with measures to improve access to the labour market (mainly through training). 4. 7. Disparities in basic infrastructure and human resources are tending to lessen, and there has also been progress in innovation and in improving the efficiency of the administrat- ive system. 4. 8. The situation in the central and eastern European countries (CEEC) has changed quickly since 1993 or 1994. Most of the CEEC have finally begun to enjoy growth. However, low production and inadequate productivity rep- resent a considerable challenge for them, and the quality of their infrastructure is in general well below that in the Union. In this context, the Commission rightly notes that the 4. 9. Structural Funds will have a major role to play in tackling these problems after enlargement. However, the report also points out that considerable efforts will be required to install the structures required for management of the Funds before the CEEC are ready to take part in the Union’s structural policy. Since the Member States were to begin preparing the 4. 10. next generation of programmes during 1999, the Commission considered it useful to draw up some preliminary draft guidelines in 1998, the aim being to help the national and regional authorities to prepare their programming strategies for Objectives 1, 2 and 3 and their links with the Cohesion Fund. 4. 11. under three main headings: The indicative guidelines are listed below, grouped (1) I m p r o v i n g r e g i o n a l c o m p e t i t i v e n e s s The measures quoted in the 1998 report are: developing infrastructure for transport, energy, the information society, research and the environment; stimulating the development of integrated strategies for RTD and innovation at regional level; supporting the activity of firms, particularly small firms, by industrial cooperation supporting innovation and research, and networking, the development of human resources, risk capital and services to help firms. 8. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 226/75 (2) P r o m o t i n g e m p l o y m e n t — t h e C o m - (2) R e s e a r c h , T e c h n o l o g i c a l D e v e l o p m e n t m u n i t y ’ s t o p p r i o r i t y a n d I n n o v a t i o n The plan mainly involves the new Objective 3 (labour market measures, combating exclusion, development of appropriate training, introduction of positive measures for women), but also the new Objectives 1 and 2, with a common reference framework for human resources. (3) I n t e g r a t i n g u r b a n a n d m e n t s p a t i a l d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e U n i o n i n a b a l a n c e d f r a m e w o r k f o r r u r a l d e v e l o p - t h e C. Interim evaluations 4. 12. In the following points, the Committee aims to outline the main findings of the interim evaluations. The report explains that these ‘seek to gauge the degree to which programme implementation matches up to the original goals and, where appropriate, to propose adjustments in line with the degree of effectiveness achieved’. 4. 13. 1998 saw the finalisation of four thematic evaluations launched in 1997 (on SMEs, R&TD, environment, and equal opportunities within the ESF) and of the evaluation of one horizontal topic (partnership). The main findings are outlined below: (1) S M E e v a l u a t i o n In the 1994-99 programming period, the SME sector will have benefited directly from approximately EUR 21 billion spent under Objectives 1, 2, 5(b) and 6. The evaluation concludes that Structural Fund support has had a beneficial impact on SMEs. The evaluation conclusions highlight the need for upgrading of existing R&TD capacities, better targeting of measures and more transparent selection criteria and the need to foster a climate of more systematic evaluation of results and impact. More generally, the evaluations provide arguments for a clearer shift towards measures focusing on innovation, the quality of in particular human resources and networking of players, SMEs, at transregional and transnational level. (3) E n v i r o n m e n t The report states that the study assessed both the environmen- tal impact of Structural Funds programmes and the extent to which these programmes are contributing towards sustainable development. The evaluation concluded that the ex ante study of future programmes should include an analysis of regional strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, addressing both environmental and economic issues. (4) E q u a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s i n E S F o p e r a t i o n s As compared with the previous period, gender breakdown has improved in both background data and data on programming and implementation, although there are naturally variations from one Member State, and particularly from one Objective, to another. Secondly, there is a general tendency for women to be under- represented in ESF measures. Lastly, the catalysing effect of Community assistance is a constant feature carried over from the preceding period. According to the report, case-study evidence points to the value of financial engineering measures as a successful and sustainable form of assistance, although the introduction of such schemes will be a longer term prospect in some regions where the financial services sector is currently weak. (5) P a r t n e r s h i p The evaluation identifies a need for improved targeting of assistance, while also highlighting the value of vertical and horizontal networks of SMEs, and the gains to be had from involving private-sector partners in programme adminis- tration. The Committee would underscore the point made in the report that whilst in general a more commercial approach to SME assistance is recommended, this must be sensitive to particular regional or sub-regional circumstances. The Committee notes that partnership has also made a major contribution to the management and implementation phase by bringing greater transparency, heightening the visibility of measures, improving organisational coordination and provid- ing a degree of innovation and flexibility. However, its role should be strengthened with regard to the transfer of good practice, monitoring and evaluation systems and efficiency of programme management. C 226/76 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 8. 2000 Lastly, the report notes that a variety of forms and structures of partnership can complicate management, but that this problem could be overcome by introducing a single partner- ship structure for each programme and distinguishing between the roles of the various partners and their capacity to influence decisions during each programming phase. 4. 18. The report states that the Committee has expressed its support for the Commission’s strategic guidelines for regions whose development is lagging behind, and that it welcomed with interest the integrated approach proposed for the new Objective 2, notwithstanding some doubts about the eligibility criteria. D. Financial control — ESF, ERDF, EAGGF — Guidance 4. 14. The main findings of the ESF visits were: 4. 19. The annual report also mentions that the COR has asked for the partnership to be strengthened to help regional and local authorities. — failure to comply with the regulatory requirements on publicising measures; — too few — or no — inspections of part-financed measures; 4. 20. On the other hand, the report states that while the COR welcomed the Commission’s communication on urban issues, it also invited the Commission to draw up an urban policy that would complement those of the Member States. — lack of transparency in programme selection criteria; — failure to comply with the deadlines laid down for transferring advances and payments to beneficiaries. 4. 15. were: The points most frequently noted on the ERDF visits — difficulties in identifying declared expenditure in the accounting systems for final beneficiaries; — failure to comply with the Community Directives on public procurement; 4. 21. Lastly, turning to agricultural matters, the report mentions the Committee’s opinion on the proposed regulation on support for rural development through the EAGGF. This opinion, which was adopted on 14 January 1999, stressed the importance of the targets set in the proposal and supported its principles. However, it had doubts about whether the goals of rural development policy as defined at the Cork Conference could be achieved and drew attention to the inadequate finance the failure to define the criteria for economic available, viability, the integrated the inadequate account approach and the lack of detail on the role of the regional and local authorities in the partnership. taken of — audit trail deficiencies which made it difficult to monitor financial flows between the Community budget and final beneficiaries. 5. Conclusion 4. 16. The EAGGF-Guidance Section visits detected: — deficiencies in the management and inspection system; 5. 1. One major feature of 1997 and 1998 was the clearing of the backlog which had arisen at the beginning of the period in implementing appropriations. Overall, programme implementation now appears satisfactory. — part-financing of ineligible expenditure; — unlawful deductions; — administrative errors resulting from overestimation of expenditure declared to the Commission. 5. 2. It should be noted, for both years, that the Union’s least prosperous Member States — the funds’ main beneficiaries — generally registered the best implementation rates, in particular under Objective 1: Spain, Portugal and Ireland. E. Dialogue with the Committee of the Regions 4. 17. With regard to the future of the Structural Funds, the report notes that COR opinions stress the importance of economic and social cohesion as a pillar of integration and solidarity in Europe. 5. 3. The implementation situation for Community initiat- ives (CI) is quite different as there are a number of delays. These are often the result either of the late approval of programmes (many of which were adopted in 1996 and 1997 following the allocation of the reserve), or of the specific nature of certain CIs, for instance the partnership in Urban and Interreg II, or the highly specialised and innovative measures under the SMEs Community Initiative. 8. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 226/77 Structural Fund action therefore fits into a framework 5. 4. of diversification, innovation, employment and competi- tiveness. With safeguarding and creating jobs the absolute priority, partnership between the regions, cities and munici- palities must be part of a local economy which spawns sustainable local employment, and preferably generates value added. 5. 5. In its discussion of the 1997 report, the Committee of the Regions felt that it would be useful to illustrate Structural Fund action for SMEs. The financing is divided among a vast range of measures directly targeting SMEs. The most important include: — small-scale infrastructure, and infrastructure to support small businesses; — assistance for creating and safeguarding small firms that are an integral part of the local economic fabric; — promoting research and innovation within small busi- nesses, and networking between small firms; — targeted training schemes employees of businesses; for both managers and — developing tourism resources using local potential; — aid for capital investment through direct grants or financial engineering measures; — local development of agricultural and fishery resources; — part-financing of business start-up areas; — training, including management training; — advice and information services; — measures to promote RTD; — measures relating to the information society; — assistance for internationalisation through innovative measures, such as Europartenariat and Recite II, which are intended to promote transnational commercial cooper- ation among small firms or the SMEs Community Initiative. 5. 6. SMEs are gradually emerging as a structural policy priority, and this is reflected in the greater financial resources provided by the most recent programming documents. 5. 7. The 1998 report focuses almost entirely on awareness and strengthening of the concept of local development. Over recent years this concept has become a fully-fledged political philosophy. Although local development is not a priority as such at Community level, many recent decisions have taken the territorial dimension of structural greater account of policies. 5. 8. The Committee would stress the abiding importance given to local development in the various strands of the Structural Funds, and welcomes the fact that this seems to be the chosen direction for the coming years. The Committee notes that although it is difficult to quantify the proportion of local development schemes across all programmes, taking all types of operation together it is estimated that in the current programming period they account for about 10 % of overall assistance from the Funds. Furthermore, it is estimated that local development accounts for about 15 % of Community finance in areas eligible under Objective 2. The Committee would stress that these measures are found under all the objectives, as listed in the annual report: 5. 9. Alongside the main theme of local development, the past year’s Structural Funds activities in support of economic and social cohesion can be summarised under four broad headings: — Adoption of the remaining programmes — Acceleration of financial execution — Increased attention to priority themes — Preparations for the 2000-2006 programming period 5. 10. The Committee is pleased to note that greater efficiency in the way the Funds are used will be sought, principally by encouraging wider use of instruments based on financial levers (guarantees, capital holdings and repayable grants), with variations in the maximum rates of assistance. This will help increase the impact of the Structural Funds on economic and social structures and make the Union’s regions and firms, particularly small firms, more competitive. The Committee would also highlight 5. 11. the 1998 report’s attention to the fact that unemployment in the Union as a whole stood at around 10 % at the end of 1998, despite it was very unevenly the economic upturn. Furthermore, spread over the regions. It is therefore important to be aware that a high rate of regional unemployment leads to social exclusion, which makes unemployment more resistant to an improvement in the economy. A solution to this situation requires an integrated strategy combining measures to improve the regional economic base with measures to improve access to the labour market. 5. 12. The Committee highlights the Commission’s com- ments on the interim evaluations conducted during 1998. The annual report makes five major points: — regarding SMEs, the evaluation identified a need for improved targeting of assistance, particularly through the C 226/78 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 8. 2000 creation of specialised intermediaries, preferably organised on a decentralised ‘one-stop shop’ basis; thermore, it should be noted that a variety of forms and structures of partnership could complicate management. — on the subject of RTD, the evaluations favoured a clearer shift towards measures focusing on innovation, quality of human resources, and networking of players, in particular SMEs, at transregional and transnational level; — as regards the environment, the ex ante evaluation of future programmes should include an analysis of regional strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, address- ing both environmental and economic issues; — attention must be drawn to the general tendency for women to be under-represented in ESF measures; 5. 13. make the following points: The Committee of the Regions would also like to — it hopes to see a strengthening of partnerships with local authorities; — it calls for the development of an urban policy to complement the policies conducted by the Member States; — it is doubtful as to the chances of reaching the rural development objectives defined at the Cork conference, owing in particular to insufficient financial resources, the failure to define criteria for economic viability, inadequate attention to the integrated approach and a lack of detail regarding the role of local and regional authorities in the partnership. — the role of partnership should be strengthened with regard to the transfer of good practice, monitoring and evaluation systems and efficiency of programme management. Fur- 5. 14. Finally, the Committee would end its opinion by reiterating its strong support for all measures that confirm the need to further local development. Brussels, 13 April 2000. The President of the Committee of the Regions Jos CHABERT