title: WRITTEN QUESTION E-2743/99 by Emilia Müller (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Special aid for France.

text: C 374 E/12 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 28. 12. 2000 (2000/C 374 E/014) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2743/99 by Emilia M(cid:252)ller (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Special aid for France On the accession of Spain and Portugal, France received special regional development aid for the area adjacent to Spain by virtue of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2615/80 (1). What was the total amount of the aid, in respect of what period was it granted, and for which areas was it intended? (1) OJ L 271, 15. 10. 1980, p. 1. Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (3 February 2000) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2615/80 of 7 October 1980 instituting a specific Community regional development measure contributing to the development of certain French and Italian regions in the context of Community enlargement (1) provides for a special programme to be presented to the Commission by each of the Member States concerned. To implement this Community measure, the Council adopted Regulation (EEC) No 2088/85 of 23 July 1985 concerning the integrated Mediterranean programmes (IMPs) (2). This contains provisions on the programming period, the financial assistance from the Community budget and the geographical scope of the IMPs among others. The financial assistance from the Community budget for the implementation of the IMPs from 1986 to 1992 was fixed at an overall total of EUR 4 100 million, including EUR 844 million for France. As regards geographical scope, in France the IMPs programme relates to the regions of Languedoc- Roussillon, Corsica, Provence-Alpes-C(cid:244)te d(cid:146)Azur, Aquitaine and Midi-PyrØnØes, and the departments of Dr(cid:244)me and ArdŁche, with the exception of the conurbations of Marseille, Bordeaux and Toulouse and the built-up coastal strip with all-year-round tourist activity. (1) OJ L 271, 15. 10. 1980, p. 1. (2) OJ L 197, 27. 7. 1985, p. 1. (2000/C 374 E/015) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2762/99 by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: The Russian Federation(cid:146)s ultimatum to the city of Grozny The whole world has condemned the ruthless ultimatum given by the Russian Federation(cid:146)s political and military authorities to the 50 000 inhabitants and the resistance groups in the city of Grozny. However, the only reactions to this ultimatum on the part of the Presidency, the High Representative for the CFSP and the Commission have been verbal condemnations and expressions of concern, warnings and the (cid:145)studying(cid:146) of possible counter-measures. The changes to the terms of the ultimatum made on 7 December by the Russian authorities do not affect the threat of extermination faced by tens of thousands of civilians because it is virtually impossible to evacuate them under the bombardments. Does not the Commission believe that actions speak louder than words and that it should suspend, temporarily but immediately, the partnership and cooperation agreements entered into with Moscow as well as any form of direct or indirect aid to the Russian Federation?