91997E3652

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3652/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (19 November 1997)

Subject: Programme for Pontic Greeks

Greeks from the Pontos (Russians of Greek origin) who have returned to Greece are one of the groups eligible for aid under the Community initiative programmes Horizon, TACIS, Phare and the operational programme for combating exclusion from the labour market in the Second CSF for Greece for the period from 1994-1999. Will the Commission say:

1. what actions have been taken to support the above group under the programmes in question?

2. what has been the take-up rate by action for the years 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997?

3. have there been any delays in take-up and, if so, what are the main reasons for this?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (9 January 1998)

Repatriating Greeks from Pontos (Russians of Greek origin) constitute a target group under subprogramme 2 'Migrants, repatriating Greeks, political refugees' of the operational programe 'Combating exclusion from the labour market' (1994-1999 Community support framework for Greece).

1. The subprogramme provides for the development of integrated packages of measures which form pathways to the integration of the afore-mentioned target group into the labour market. Such measures include pretraining (i.e. teaching of Greek as a foreign language, teaching scientists or specialised professions scientific or professional terminology, information on the legal, working and social environment), training, promotion of employment, accompanying or support services (i.e. social and psychological support, help for dependents, help with accommodation problems).

2. The absorption rate for the total of the subprogramme in question (most of the implemented actions were addressed to the specific target group) was 16% in 1994, 0% in 1995, 74% in 1996 and 43% (estimate) in 1997 of the corresponding European social fund (ESF) annual commitment appropriations.

3. As already mentioned in previous Commission answers relating to other target groups of the specific operational programme, the main reasons for the low take up are the difficulties associated with the operational programme's innovative approach, the lack of appropriate implementing structures and the difficulties during the 1995-96 period in particular to establish and apply systems and procedures that would guarantee effective implementation.

Taking into consideration the experience acquired during the first implementation period, the Greek authorities are currently elaborating an in-depth modification of the operational programme to develop policies and measures more targeted to the particular needs of the group of people in question.