92001E0041

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0041/01

by Francesco Turchi (UEN) to the Commission

(16 January 2001)

Subject: Closing down the Europartnership programme

Small and medium-sized enterprises operating in economically disadvantaged regions particularly those coming under Objectives 1 and 2 have found the Community Europartnership programme to be a useful means of establishing cooperation between companies operating in regions with development problems which are a long way away from central markets.

The two annual events held under the programme have given local entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs from other European regions an extremely valuable opportunity for transnational cooperation, and this has been particularly true of the Mediterranean, which is an important area in strategic and development terms.

Despite the programme's success, the Commission has now decided to close it down.

Would the Commission state:

1. what are the real reasons for this decision?

2. whether it would not agree that by closing down the programme it is further penalising economic operators in such regions?

3. whether any thought is being given to partnership measures or programmes to promote business activity in such disadvantaged areas?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(14 February 2001)

1. The Commission has been reviewing its priorities. In this context it has decided that it would no longer be appropriate to be directly involved in the management of Europartenariat events. This decision must be seen in the wider context of the reorientation of the Commission towards concentrating on core activities rather than direct actions.

2. The Commission is of the view that this decision should not have a negative impact on local actors, nor should it be seen as a negative attitude of the Commission vis-à-vis the intrinsic added value of such events designed to facilitate co-operation between enterprises. In the Commission view, it does neither prejudge their future development.

The Commission remains convinced that there are many economic players at local, national, or Community level who remain prepared to organise such events, with or without the direct financial intervention of the Commission. The Council Decision 2000/819/EC of 20 December 2000 on a multiannual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship, and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (2001-2005)(1) provides for the Commission to develop actions to promote the organisation of Europartenariat-type business co-operation events.

3. The Commission will however not prepare a specific programme to financially support Europartenariat-type events. It will continue its efforts aimed at facilitating co-operation between companies and promoting internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterpises (SMEs) by other means, e.g. by its innovation programme or the opportunity offered to candidate countries to participate in the multiannual programme.

In the context of regional policy, support to SMEs remains an objective eligible for structural funds.

(1) OJ L 333, 29.12.2000.