Implementation of Regulation (EU) 2015/1839 on specific measures for Greece

18.12.2017

Question for oral answer O-000100/2017
to the Commission
Rule 128
Iskra Mihaylova, on behalf of the Committee on Regional Development

The financial crisis has led to persistently negative growth rates in Greece, as well as to serious liquidity problems and a lack of public funds. In October 2015 Parliament and the Council amended the Common Provisions Regulations (CPR) and adopted Regulation (EU) 2015/1839 introducing exceptional measures, the aim of which was to provide Greece with liquidity at a crucial moment before the implementation of programmes came to a halt. More specifically, regarding the 2007-2013 period, the regulation laid down a maximum EU co-financing rate of 100% and as regards the 2014-2020 period it increased the level of the initial pre-financing, thereby ensuring that Greece had sufficient financial means to start the implementation of programmes.

The REGI Committee appointed Pascal Arimont as standing rapporteur to follow the implementation and performance of this CPR amendment. In view of the lack of communication between the Commission and Parliament and the limited information provided during the joint CONT/REGI hearing on 4 December 2017, Parliament wishes to ask the Commission to clarify the following:

1. As regards these specific measures, how many of Greece’s priority projects have been successfully completed and how many are being continued in the current period?

2. What conclusions does the Commission draw from the report provided by the Greek authorities in May 2017 on the implementation of these specific measures?

3. How have infrastructure investments boosted competitiveness in general?

4. How have EU Structural and Investment Funds contributed to the increased competitiveness of Greece?