92001E1395

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1395/01

by Nicholas Clegg (ELDR) to the Commission

(10 May 2001)

Subject: Cancellation of March call for TEN telecom projects

Could the Commission explain the cancellation of the March call for TEN telecoms projects (for submission in June)? What arrangements have been made for the dispersal of the 2001 budget in light of this cancellation? What arrangements will be made for further calls for projects in 2001?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 2001)

Unlike in 1999 and 2000, there was no call for proposals foreseen for TEN-Telecom for March 2001 with closing date in June. Instead an earlier call was launched in October 2000 (2001 budget) with deadline of 29 January 2001 in order to avoid the rush at the year end for the corresponding budget commitment. Two calls for proposals are still foreseen for 2001, one with closing date 7 September (partly to commit the remaining budget 2001 and part of the 2002 budget) and another one to be launched end of October 2001 with closing date at the end of January 2002 (remaining part of 2002 budget).