91998E2791

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2791/98

by Claude Desama (PSE) to the Commission

(17 September 1998)

Subject: Town twinning scheme in 1998

A number of Belgian local authorities have recently received documentation detailing the town-twinning scheme for 1998.

Sadly, it is clear from reading the said documentation that if what they have to offer in terms of culture, sport, tourism or folklore is excluded, these towns will find it all but impossible to qualify.

All of the local authorities concerned are dismayed at the failure of the scheme's priorities to match the wishes of their citizens.

Can the Commission say whether the scheme is designed to strengthen ties amongst all of the citizens of Europe, or whether only some of them are to be targeted through certain chosen themes?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(16 November 1998)

The 1998 information note on the criteria for awarding grants to twinning schemes was adopted by agreement between the representatives of all the national schemes of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions and of the World Federation of United Cities, who met in Brussels on 21 January 1998.

Since the programme was adopted in 1989, 24 800 town twinnings have been supported.

At the next meeting on the award criteria for 1999, scheduled for December 1998, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (Belgian section) will have an opportunity to submit its proposals.

The Commission examines each file carefully before it decides to reject or accept it, and it feels that various European themes should be treated during a town twinning ceremony.