ECSC CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE RESOLUTION ON A PLAN FOR TRANSFERRING FUNDS FROM THE ECSC BUDGET TO THE GENERAL BUDGET (98/C 232/03)

(adopted unanimously less one abstention during the 340th Session of 25 June 1998)

1. List of reference documents

1.1. Communication from the Commission concerning the transfer of a maximum amount of ECU 60 million from the ECSC operating budget to the general budget of the European Union in order to increase the funding for the Community initiatives Rechar II and Resider II (1);

1.2. Resolution of the European Parliament of 18 December 1997 on the draft ECSC operating budget for 1998 (2);

1.3. ECSC Consultative Committee Resolution on ECSC social research (3);

1.4. Memorandum of the ECSC Consultative Committee on social aspects connected with the expiry of the ECSC Treaty in 2002 (4);

1.5. Resolution of the ECSC Consultative Committee on the future of collaborative research in the coal and steel sectors (5);

1.6. Resolution of the ECSC Consultative Committee on the continuation of the ECSC readaptation measures under Article 56 of the ECSC Treaty after 2002 and the revision of the structural funds (Agenda 2000) (6).

2. Recitals

The ECSC Consultative Committee

2.1. has not opposed the progressive reduction of the levy, which has been reduced to zero as from 1998;

2.2. has always considered that the ECSC reserves should be spent solely on those industries which contributed to them;

2.3. has been concerned about the future of the social measures based on Article 56 of the ECSC Treaty;

2.4. has come out in favour of regional management of restructuring, in close association with the two sides of industry in the sectors concerned;

2.5. has repeatedly affirmed its faith in the need for and effectiveness of ECSC research, this conviction for continuity beyond the expiry of the ECSC Treaty having been shared by the European Council in Amsterdam.

3. Recommendations

The ECSC Consultative Committee

3.1. WELCOMES the fact that the Commission is keen to see the industrial fabric of the regions affected by the restructuring of the coal and steel sectors restored;

3.2. firmly REQUESTS that the Community Initiatives Rechar and Resider, which have so far been very efficient, be fully implemented and funds for their financing be made available under the General Budget of the European Union;

3.3. IS strongly OPPOSED to the transfer of any amounts whatsoever from the ECSC budget to the general budget;

3.4. CONSIDERS that, on the contrary, any surplus in the ECSC budget between now and the expiry of the ECSC Treaty should be placed in reserve up to a reasonable ceiling, to meet any possible new requirements;

3.5. IS OF THE OPINION that any additional surplus beyond any such reasonable level of reserves should be allocated to ECSC research, which has amply demonstrated its effectiveness.

(1) Doc. SEC(1998) 967 final.

(2) Doc. SEC(97) 0933-C4-0270/97 (A4-0409/97 - Giansily report).

(3) OJ C 206, 11.8.1995.

(4) OJ C 334, 8.11.1996.

(5) OJ C 220, 19.7.1997.

(6) OJ C 155, 20.5.1998.