Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-09-23-Speech-2-265"
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"en.20030923.7.2-265"2
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".
I wish to thank the rapporteur and the shadow rapporteurs for their very constructive efforts to reach a compromise between the institutions so that we can adopt this proposal at first reading. As you know, an adoption at first reading is of major importance for the timely execution of the 2004 consumer policy budget.
Our efforts to streamline and speed up the grant application process cannot be made at the expense of proper evaluation of the proposals, and must comply fully with the rules governing budget management. I take the sound management of Community funds very seriously. The consumer policy budget must and will be executed in strict accordance with the rules set out in the Financial Regulation. On that, no compromise is possible, and I trust that you share that conviction.
I very much appreciate your support for the key principle of this proposal - that the Consumer Policy Strategy sets the scope, political orientations and priorities for the programming of expenditure on consumer policy.
It is essential that we spend our money on actions designed to achieve the objectives of this strategy: a high common level of consumer protection, better enforcement of consumer protection rules and the closer involvement of consumer organisations in the making of all EU policies that affect consumer interests.
Regarding accession countries, I fully share Parliament’s view that the application of the
in the accession countries must be given high priority in the consumer policy budget. The Commission will ensure that specific projects undertaken by consumer organisations and aiming to accelerate the effective implementation of the
on consumer protection in the new Member States can be eligible for a financial contribution of 75%.
As to independent European consumer organisations, you have, in your report, emphasised the need to support these organisations. Here also, I fully agree with you. I also share Parliament’s view that the integration of consumer interests in other EU policies must be given high priority in the consumer policy budget.
Coming to grant applications, firstly, the Commission will ensure that consumer organisations are appropriately informed about the new requirements and their strict implementation. The application procedures for grants will be kept as simple as possible, and we will offer consumer organisations seminars to explain how they work.
Secondly, in order to improve the quality of project applications and project management, initiatives are already under way to offer professionals of consumer organisations training in project development.
Thirdly, in order to assist consumer organisations in finding project partners, the Commission is putting into place an on-line forum to facilitate networking and cross-border contacts.
In response to your report, Mr Whitehead, I also wish to assure you and the European Parliament that the Commission will speed up the decision-making on grant applications. Payments will also be made as promptly as possible. However, I must also plead here for your understanding. We will make every effort to complete the decision-making on grant applications within three months. But you must be aware that in the post-accession period, the workload and translation requirements will substantially increase. It is also probable that we will have more third-country participation in consumer policy actions than before."@en1
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