92003E1519

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1519/03

by Juan Izquierdo Collado (PSE) to the Commission

(6 May 2003)

Subject: Advances Objective 2 research projects

What is the Commission's interpretation of Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999(1), and what is its final position on the payment of advances and whether or not they must be included in the calculations for the N+2 rule as regards research projects co-financed by the Structural Funds as part of the Objective 2 operational R & D programme in Spain in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003?

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(12 June 2003)

The Commission asks the Honourable Member to refer to its reply to Written Question E-1376/03(1) on the same topic but with reference to Objective 1 in Spain.

As Objective 2 assistance in Spain is being given through seven SPDs there is by contrast with Objective 1 no multiregional research and development Operational Programme.

The research projects are part-financed from the ERDF under measure 3,2 of each SPD. For these SPDs the first date for the purposes of application of the N+2 rule is 31 December 2003.

(1) See page 178.