91998E1862

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1862/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 June 1998)

Subject: Implementation of the telecommunications programme in Greece

The answer to my Written Question E-3538/96(1) on the OTE telecommunications programme for Greece states that the take-up rates for 1994-1995 and 1996 were 106 % and 37 %, respectively. According to press reports there is a danger that funding may be lost owing to delays in the implementation of projects under the programme.

Will the Commission say what factors have precipitated a decline in the take-up rate which was initially very high? What is the take-up rate per subprogramme at present? What measures has it taken - or does it intend to take in future - to ensure that the programme is implemented smoothly?

Answer given by Ms Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(30 July 1998)

So far the take-up rates for the telecommunications operational programme (OP) for Greece for 1994-1999 are 90 % of the commitment appropriations and 65 % of the payment appropriations.

However, the Honourable Member refers to the answer given to written question E-3538/96, where the figures given related to expenditure in Greece in the first years of implementation. In terms of expenditure on the ground, 57 % of the budget for the 1994-99 period has been taken up so far. The take-up rate per subprogramme is as follows:

>TABLE>

Despite a slight delay, therefore, it is not true to say that there is a low take-up rate for the OP as a whole, but there is an imbalance in the progress of the subprogrammes.

The Commission has already attracted the attention of the Greek authorities first to the need to promote all OP measures under the Community Support Framework and second to the real need finally to bring the national regulatory framework into line with European legislation in the telecommunications sector, as planned under subprogramme 1.

With regard to fluctuations in the rate of implementing the OP, these are largely down to the timetables for concluding the various network infrastructure contracts between OTE (the Greek telecommunications operator) and its equipment suppliers.

(1) OJ C 105, 3.4.1997, p.85.