(2004/C 33 E/223)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2110/03

by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission

(19 June 2003)

Subject:   Closure of the Europa Centrum in the Netherlands

Is the Commission aware that the Europa Centrum in the Hague, a foundation providing information on the EU, will close on 1 July 2003?

How does the Commission explain that the foundation has not been granted a subsidy for 2003?

Does the Commission agree with me that information on the European Union and its institutions is of crucial importance?

How does the Commission plan to ensure that in the year ahead, in which events of major importance for the EU are on the agenda (enlargement to include ten new countries, European Parliament elections, drafting of a Constitution), reliable and detailed information can be provided in the Netherlands if the Europa Centrum foundation — which is a key source of information for young people and schools — is no longer able to take on this task?

Is the Commission prepared to reconsider the foundation's application for a subsidy? If so, when will it be able to give its final answer? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(16 July 2003)

The Commission is aware of and deeply regrets the fact that Europa Centrum will close on 1 July 2003. Information and communication about the Union and its Institutions is extremely important, as the Honourable Member recalls, particularly in the Netherlands, which will assume the Union-presidency in the second half of 2004. The loss of Europa Centrum is therefore clearly felt by the Commission and the national authorities in the Netherlands.

As the Honourable Member knows, the new Financial Regulation (1) prevents operating grants to organisations such as Europa Centrum which cannot exist solely on the basis of project-based subventions, via calls for proposals.

As far as this kind of project-based grants is concerned, the Europa Centrum has been awarded in 2003 two grants by the Directorate General (DG) for Education and Culture, in the framework of the Calls for Proposals addressed to Non-Governmental Organisations and Associations of European Interest. Unfortunately, after the sad decision to terminate its activities, the Europa Centrum will not be able to use these grants.

It goes without saying that, if Europa Centrum changes this decision in the future and starts over its activities, nothing would prevent it to present one or more projects in the framework of new calls for proposals and the Commission would of course seriously consider them, as it does with any other project.

A call was published by the Commission's Representation in the Netherlands in May 2003, following the adoption of the work programme for DG Press and Communication on 28 March 2003. The first deadline for this call was set at the 30 June 2003.

(1)  Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities, OJ L 248, 16.9.2002.