91999E1576

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1576/99

by Alonso Puerta (GUE/NGL) and Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Regional Development Programme (RDP)

What is the position of the Commission with regard to RDPs for the period 2000-2006 submitted by Member States with Objective 1 regions without the requisite political, institutional and social dialogue having taken place?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(11 October 1999)

In accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 15(2) of Council Regulation (EC) 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds(1), Member States submit their regional development plans after consultation with the partners as defined in Article 8 of that Regulation (regional and local authorities and other public authorities, economic and social partners, other relevant

organisations). Each Member State decides its own arrangements for consulting the most representative partners as designated by it. However, the Commission reserves the right to ask a Member State how it went about consulting the partners and it must offer an account of how it did so under Article 16(1)(d) of the Regulation. The Commission will make use of this option whenever necessary.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.