91998E2670

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2670/98

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Council

(1 September 1998)

Subject: EU aid programme for officials

At present there are 11 different programmes for promoting various activities involving officials (training, exchange of officials, exchange of information, improved cooperation). This proliferation of cooperation programmes is not in conformity with the repeated demand for transparency, effectiveness and proximity to the general public. This fragmentation has also been criticized accordingly in many quarters.

1. What aims do the individual programmes pursue and what purpose do they fulfill? How exactly do they differ from one another?

2. Is a review of these programmes planned during the presidency?

3. If so, what form is it due to take?

4. If not, what are the reasons for not carrying out such a review?

5. Since these programmes have in part already been opened to the applicant countries as well, I have the following further question: Could the Council give a detailed breakdown showing in which of these programmes participants from the CEECs are already involved?

Reply

(22 October 1998)

The Council would point out that the various Community programmes of actions for officials are administered by the Commission in cooperation with the Member States or the non-Member States concerned. Consequently, it is for the Commission to appreciate whether the aims pursued duly reflect needs in this area. To date, it has not submitted any proposal to review those programmes of actions for officials.