B3-0503/94

Resolution on the conclusions of the fact-finding mission by the Committee on Budgetary Control to the Czech Republic on the management of appropriations under the PHARE Programme

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the Commission's statement of 21 April 1994 in reply to Oral Question B3-0020/94 on the conclusions of the fact-finding mission by the Committee on Budgetary Control to the Czech Republic on the management of appropriations under the PHARE Programme,

-having regard to the conclusions of the Committee on Budgetary Control following its fact-finding mission to the Czech Republic (PE 208.241),

1.Welcomes the Commission's decision to increase substantially the financial decision-making autonomy of its delegations in Phare countries insofar as this will help eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic delays and make the Programme more responsive to local requirements; re-emphasises however, in view of this increased responsibility, that greater stability in the staffing of delegations is essential;

2.Welcomes the Commission's new emphasis on investment and investment-producing projects in the Phare countries; stresses that such investment must involve local operators and know-how to the maximum possible extent;

3.Calls on the Commission to step up its efforts, through its local delegations, (i) to heighten awareness among enterprises, public authorities, educational institutions and other organisations of the opportunities open to them under the Phare and Tempus Programmes, inter alia by taking the initiative in establishing contacts with potentially interested parties, and (ii) to publicise the activities of the Phare Programme to the public at large;

4.Calls on the Commission to ensure that all relevant parties, including NGO's and the social partners, are sufficiently consulted and involved in the Phare programming and project implementation processes;

5.Regrets the fact that the Commission has not respected the budgetary authority's decision on the division of resources between the Czech and Slovak Republics;

6.Notes that the Commission will not be able to implement fully, in terms of payment appropriations, budget item B7-612 dedicated to transfrontier structural operations; regrets this fact, but believes it illustrates the importance of full consultation with beneficiary governments prior to any significant changes in the structure of spending under the Phare Programme;

7.Calls on the Commission to provide greater incentives to Phare countries to exploit the opportunities for effective international cooperation offered by the regional programmes; believes that such cooperation is a pre-requisite for the future development and well-being of the Phare countries, especially in the environmental sphere; considers in this context that the proportion of Phare funds routed through regional programmes should be increased;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the governments of the countries concerned and, for information, the Court of Auditors.