WRITTEN QUESTION E-3471/02

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(6 December 2002)

Subject: Management of funding for the outlying sub-divisions of the municipality of Fiumicino (Aranova, Fregene, Focene, Maccarese, Palidoro, Passoscuro and Torrimpietra)

Integrated coastal zone management in Europe is a commitment entered into by the Union some time ago and recently reaffirmed in the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2002(1).

The Commission itself has often stressed the strategic importance of coastal regions because of their economic, residential, transport, recreational, environmental and cultural implications and in Communication COM(2000) 547 final also pointed out the need for an integrated EU approach in order to prevent uncoordinated sectoral policies from clashing with one another and even producing effects opposite to those intended.

This is what is happening in the coastal areas administered by the municipality of Fiumicino in the Lazio region. From the list of public works projects published in the municipality's information bulletin last September it emerges that out of 65 projects being carried out or recently completed only 8 involve the outlying sub-divisions, in particular Maccarese and Torrimpietra, whilst the others exclusively involve the urban area of Fiumicino. The other areas

Focene, Fregene, Passoscuro, Aranova and Palidoro are not mentioned at all, despite being subject to typical problems affecting coastal areas, such as deterioration in buildings, the destruction of habitats, water pollution, disintegration of the social fabric, marginalisation and impoverishment of resources.

Since the Union has shown itself sensitive to the need to promote dialogue between the interested parties in coastal areas, can the Commission say:

1. whether the municipality of Fiumicino has ever submitted projects to improve and enhance its outlying areas;

2. whether the Commission has exercised or will exercise any form of monitoring over the manner in which any funding allocated is used and distributed;

3. what its opinion on the matter is?

(1) OJ L 148, 6.6.2002, p. 24.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(18 February 2003)

The Honourable Member rightly stresses the strategic importance of coastal zones, as did the Commission in its communication(1).

The Fiumicino Municipality has existed since 1992. Before then it was part of the Rome Municipality. For the present programming period 2000-2006 Structural Fund assistance in Italy is, except in the south, targeted on Objective 2, i.e. supporting the conversion of areas facing structural difficulties. Fiumicino Municipality is not on the list of zones eligible for Objective 2 assistance drawn up by the Commission in July 2000 on the basis of a proposal from the Italian authorities, nor was it eligible for European Regional Development Fund aid for the period 1994-1999.

In addition Community support can be given for certain types of projects under the Community Initiative and Innovative Action provisions of Articles 20 to 24 of the Regulation laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds(2).

Thus Lazio Region is eligible for financing under the Interreg Western Mediterranean III C South programme. At the beginning of 2002 it also obtained ERDF part-financing amounting to EUR 1,56 million or a regional innovative action programme for the period 2000-2004.

Fiumicino Municipality is not among the zones to which structural aid can be given from the EAGGF.

Aid from the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance is available to Lazio Region under the terms of the Fishing single programming document covering all of non-Objective 1 Italian territory for the period 2000-2006. Aid can be given not only in connection with fishing fleets but also for projects of other types, in particular positioning of artificial reefs to protect marine resources, construction/upgrading of aquaculture installations, fishing port facilities, construction/upgrading of fishery product processing and marketing installations, and improvement of inland and of small-scale coastal fisheries. No project relating to the Fiumicino Municipality area has so far been selected in connection with this single programming document.

The Commission invites the Honourable Member to approach the relevant Italian authorities, in particular at Lazio Region level. The information sent to it by these authorities indicates Fiumicino Municipality covered by an Ostia-Fiumicino terrritorial pact and a national law granting aid to coastal municipalities.

(1) COM(2000) 547 final.

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 1.