WRITTEN QUESTION E-1360/00

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: High-speed rail link between Galicia and Madrid

In its reply to my questions Nos H-0456/99(1), (E-1438/99) and (E-1440/99)(2) concerning Galicia and high-speed rail links, which I tabled in September 1999, the Commission acknowledged that, in the Community guidelines on the trans european networks, there are no plans for a high-speed link between Galicia and Central Spain.

There is apparently a contradiction between the statements made to the press by representatives of the Galician Government and the information given by the Commission to the European Parliament. The Galician minister for public works has stated that the regional government has received financial support from the EU and a commitment from the Spanish Government to the effect that, in 2007, the cities of La Coruna and Vigo will be linked with Madrid via Valladolid by means of a high-speed train. In other statements, representatives of the Galician regional government have promised that, by 2007, the journey will take only four and half hours, thanks to EU investment.

The rail link between Galicia and Central Spain is so dated that, these days, trains take between 8 and 12 hours to cover the distance between Galicia and Madrid (at least 8,05 hours from Vigo, 8,35 hours from La Coruna, 9,40 hours from Lugo and 12 hours from Ferrol) which works out at an average speed of 70 km per hour. In the words of the Commissioner responsible for transport the decision to construct a high-speed rail link between Galicia and Madrid via Valladolid and the related planning are essentially the responsibility of the Spanish Government, in accordance with the subsidiarity principle. In the last quarter of 1999 the Spanish Government submitted its proposal for a Community Support Framework to the Commission.

Is the Commission able to confirm that, in 2007, Galicia will be linked to the major European infrastructure networks? Has the Spanish Government now made up for its delay in submitting an operational programme containing greater details regarding its proposals for the next seven years? If so, can the Commission confirm that, in 2007, a high-speed rail link, similar to the AEV which links Madrid with Seville or to the one which is being built between Madrid and Barcelona, will reach as far as Galicia?

(1) European Parliament debates (September 1999).

(2) OJ C 170 E, 20.6.2000, p. 15.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(15 June 2000)

On 29 October 1999 the Spanish Government submitted its regional development plan for the Spanish regions eligible under Objective 1 during the 2000-2006 programming period to the Commission. This plan mentions the poor rail links between Galicia and the centre of the Iberian Peninsula and proposes improving the rail network and train services between Galicia and Madrid, but without giving any details of the actual measures involved.

Although the Commission considers that measures to solve this problem could be included in the 2000-2006 Community support framework (CSF) for the Spanish Objective 1 regions, it cannot commit itself at this stage since negotiations with the Spanish authorities started on 4 May 2000 and are still continuing.

On 28 April 2000 the Commission also received the operational programme for Galicia for the 2000-2006 programming period from the Spanish authorities and is currently deciding whether to accept it.