91997E3695

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3695/97 by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission (19 November 1997)

Subject: Utilization of PHARE appropriations for Hungary

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 Hungary?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1998)

The Commission informs the Honourable Member concerning the Phare programme in Hungary in 1997 as follows.

1. The proposed country operational programme (COP) 1997 (65 MECU) was adopted at the Phare management committee meeting of 30 October 1997. The table reflects the proposed overall division of funds for the COP 1997:

>TABLE>

The total Phare support for Hungary in 1997 includes also 7 MECU for Tempus and 2.962 MECU for the participation of Hungary in three Community programmes which have been agreed in separate financing memoranda. Additionally, complementary support of 15 MECU is to provided outside the national Phare allocation, specifically to upgrade the corridor 4 rail track section with Slovenia.

2. Under the cross border cooperation programmes (CBC) 14 MECU have been allocated for cooperation with Austria in 1997. The allocation of funds is as follows:

>TABLE>

The overall Phare budget for Hungary committed in 1997 is 104 MECU.