92003E0210

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0210/03

by Christine De Veyrac (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 February 2003)

Subject: URBAN II initiative

The declaration concerning the URBAN initiative, annexed to the interinstitutional agreement of 6 May 1999(1), states that a budget of up to EUR 200 million may be assigned to URBAN II by mobilising the flexibility instrument.

Does the Commission intend to mobilise this reserve in the framework of the next budgetary exercise?

(1) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 21.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 2003)

The Urban II Community Initiative had not been planned when the Berlin financial perspectives were approved in 1999. The Initiative was created in 2000, at Parliament's behest in particular, and its funding comes from some of the budget appropriations initially intended for innovatory measures.

The declaration on the Urban Initiative mentioned by the Honourable Member states: In view of the reduction in the amount provided for innovatory measures, relating to the Urban Initiative, the institutions agree that they will examine the possibility of allocating up to EUR 200 million for this purpose, by mobilising the flexibility instrument during the period 2000-2006.

The Commission believes that the declaration mentioned by the Honourable Member in her written question relates to the possible repayment of EUR 200 million to the innovatory measures budget. So it does not intend to mobilise the flexibility instrument in favour of the Urban Community Initiative.