92002E2945

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2945/02

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(18 October 2002)

Subject: Abuse of funds in Romania

Libération reported on 27 September 2002 that the Romanian authorities have announced the opening of an inquiry into the abuse of EU funds intended for the construction of a port facility on the Danube.

Can the Commission confirm the correctness of this press report?

Can the Commission provide guarantees that it is following this procedure with the necessary attention and that it will forward to Parliament, in good time, a detailed report in the context of the discharge procedure for the 2001 budget?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(5 December 2002)

The Romanian authorities have informed the Commission that an investigation had been launched concerning a project co-financed by PHARE under the CREDO Programme.

The CREDO Programme was a multi-country grant scheme for cross-border co-operation projects between Central and Eastern European countries and between them and the bordering New Independent States. The objective was to promote good neighbourliness, social stability and economic development in the border regions by providing funding for projects which yield tangible benefits to both sides of the border.

The project under investigation was a ferryboat passage for large vehicles between Tulcea and Reni on the Romanian Ukrainian border. Total amount of the project was EUR 302 530, out of which EUR 239 466 were provided by PHARE.

The Commission has confirmed to the Romanian authorities its readiness to support the investigation in Romania. The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has been notified as a matter of course. However, it should be underlined that at this stage the Commission has not received any information which would confirm any abuse of EU funds.

As soon as the Commission receives further information from the Romanian authorities on the developments of their investigation, the Honourable Member will be duly informed in writing.