Incorporation of the ECSC in the EC budget

Adopting the report by Mr Joan COLOM I NAVAL (PSE, E), the European Parliament voted in favour of incorporating the ECSC into the Community budget, given that the Treaty establishing the ECSC is due to expire in 2002. It reiterated its view that activities such as research and social and regional measures should be phased out of the ECSC framework and phased into the appropriate EU budgetary framework. The European Parliament, in its capacity as a legislative and budgetary authority, should be closely involved in the process. The European Commission was called on to produce a study (which was due in spring 1996) setting out a detailed picture of the current situation and the prospects for ECSC reserves. It was also requested to provide information about borrowing and lending operations. Furthermore, in anticipation of enlargement, it also needs to say what arrangements it will make under the PHARE and TACIS programmes to enable the coal and steel industries in the CEECs to complete the necessary transition. The report believed that the balances of remaining ECSC assets should be transferred to the Union and could be administered by an EU body. The Commission was therefore called on to draw up a study with a view to establishing a European coal and steel foundation or agency, the initial capital of which would consist of the remaining ECSC appropriations and the operational and administrative expenditure of which would be covered in the EU budget. Interest earned on the capital would be paid into the EU budget and used to cofinance multiannual research programmes relating to coal and steel and the social situation.�