92001E0170

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0170/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 February 2001)

Subject: Establishment of city twinning network

Municipalities in Greece, Cyprus, France and regions in other countries linked through the City Twinning Programme have set up a common network of twinned cities and regions in the Mediterranean in a bid to develop cooperation under optimal conditions. Their purpose in setting up this network is, on the one hand, to pursue joint actions and cooperation with other local authorities at various levels in Mediterranean countries, with scientific centres and institutes, with the EU institutions and international organisations and, on the other, to explore the cultural identity of the Mediterranean peoples.

In view of the fact that the policies of the EU seek to promote decentralised cooperation between the Member States:

1. Do the EU institutions recognise the legal basis of a network of twinned cities in the Mediterranean? What preconditions and terms must it meet?

2. What scope exists for participation of the network in various EU programmes (City Twinning Programme, MEDA, Euromed Heritage, etc.)?

Answer given by Ms Reding on behalf of the Commission

(27 March 2001)

The Commission recognises the existence of networks of twinned cities and particularly welcomes the fact that they have been set up, because the objective of this type of measure, which is to bring European citizens closer together and to promote mutual understanding between them, is achieved far more effectively through multilateral cooperation between local authorities.

However, in order for the measures of these networks to be eligible for financial support from the Commission, all the municipalities that take part must be twinned with each other and the application for financial support must be submitted as laid down in the corresponding call for proposals.

The cities may, in principle, take part in other Community programmes, subject to the conditions governing each of the programmes concerned and provided that this does not lead to double funding of the subsidised activity.