91997E3698

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3698/97 by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission (19 November 1997)

Subject: Utilization of PHARE appropriations for Lithuania

The European Union aids the countries of Central and Eastern Europe through its PHARE programme. A great deal of aid has presumably been provided from this programme for the development of the countries which have applied for membership of the EU. Can the Commission provide details of the utilization of appropriations granted under PHARE in 1997 for Lithuania?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (22 December 1997)

The 1997 Phare-funded country operational programme (COP) of a total amount of 43.2 MECU includes the following components:

- European integration (11 MECU) support for institutional, legislative and regulatory development for Lithuania's integration into the Community. Assistance in this area will include activities, linked to institution-building and structural identification, by the inter-ministerial working groups;

- infrastructure (14 MECU) direct investment into some transport, telecommunication, energy and environment projects;

- economic development (12.85 MECU) agriculture, enterprise development and export promotion, privatization, and financial sector reform;

- health and human resources development (4.5 MECU) in particular health management reform as well as education and training;

- management (0.85 MECU).

In addition to the 1997 national programme, 2.8 MECU has been committed for Tempus and 4.3 MECU for cross-border cooperation.

The financing memorandum for the 1997 programme was signed in November 1997 and the programme will be implemented during 1998 and 1999. It is therefore to early to assess the impact of the 1997 programme.