91997E3697

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3697/97 by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission (19 November 1997)

Subject: Utilization of PHARE appropriations for Latvia

The European Union aids the countries of Central and Eastern Europe through its PHARE programme. A great deal of aid has presumably been provided from this programme for the development of the countries which have applied for membership of the EU. Can the Commission provide details of the utilization of appropriations granted under PHARE in 1997 for Latvia?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (16 December 1997)

The 1997 Phare-funded country operational programme (COP) for Latvia of a total amount of 37.6 MECU focuses on infrastructure, European integration, private sector development and institutional and human resources development. The priority areas in 1997 are:

- European integration (5.5 MECU)

- Public sector development (4.85 MECU)

- Private sector development (6.1 MECU)

- Financial sector development (2.2 MECU)

- Education (1.65 MECU)

- Energy (3.9 MECU)

- Environment (6.1 MECU)

- Transport (5.1 MECU)

- Management (1.3 MECU)

In addition to the 1997 national programme 1.8 MECU has been committed for Tempus and 3.2 MECU for cross-border cooperation projects.

The financing memorandum for the 1997 programme was signed in November 1997 and the programme will be implemented during 1998 and 1999. It is therefore to early to assess the impact of the 1997 programme.