WRITTEN QUESTION E-0364/98 by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE) to the Council (19 February 1998)

Subject: Proposal for a regulation in the field of employment creation and support to small and micro-enterprises in the Mahgreb countries

The proposal for a regulation in the field of employment creation and support to small and micro-enterprises in the Mahgreb countries (COM(94) 0289) ((OJ C 214, 4.8.1994, p. 26. )) was submitted to the European Parliament in August 1994. The proposal required the application of the cooperation procedure, and for this reason the European Parliament gave it a first reading on 28 October 1994, submitting its amended proposal to the Commission on 22 December 1994. The Council's common position, which has been awaited since that date, has not been forthcoming.

What is the situation within the Council regarding this proposal for a regulation, and what is preventing the Council from reaching a common position?

Why is the proposal blocked?

Is there any indication of what the Council's common position might be?

Answer (11 May 1998)

The Council began examining the proposal for a Regulation to which the Honourable Member refers in his question, but did not complete it because it became unnecessary.

In fact, in the light of the conclusions of the Corfu and Essen European Councils on the priority strategic importance of the Mediterranean region and the establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean partnership which should receive substantial financial assistance, the Commission proposed a new form of financial partnership through the MEDA Regulation. That Regulation was adopted by the Council after consulting the European Parliament twice.

In its initial proposal, the Commission specifically referred in the recitals to the proposal mentioned by the Honourable Member, and to other Council Regulations concerning financial cooperation with Mediterranean countries, to indicate that the new draft Regulation replaced them.

In fact, Annex II to the MEDA Regulation, which sets out the objectives and procedures for the support measures, provides for support to small and medium-sized enterprises in the Mediterranean countries.