EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/125

(2004/C 33 E/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1482/03

by Camilo Nogueira Roman (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(2 May 2003)

Subject: Treatment and Community funding of the ‘Galicia Plan’ submitted by the Spanish Government in the aftermath of the Prestige disaster

In its reply to my oral question at the April part-session on the information available to the Commission on the ‘Galicia Plan’ submitted by the Spanish Government in the aftermath of the Prestige disaster and on the structural fund and cohesion fund spending specifically scheduled for this plan in the current programming period (2000-2006), the Commission stated that it was not aware of the Spanish Government's plan and that ‘it had been informed of preparations for the plan by the Member himself’. The fact that the Commission had not been informed of the plan's existence is surprising, given that the Commission is, in the final analysis, responsible for taking important decisions on a substantial part of the funding. It is also surprising when one considers the importance which the Spanish and Galician authorities intend to give the plan and the debate which has taken place both in Galicia and more generally in Spain on the causes and consequences of the Prestige disaster, the need for compensation, and the scale and objectives of the ‘Galicia Plan’ as a European issue. The Commission should know that, by a decision of the Spanish Government, ‘Galicia Plan’ investments amounting to EUR 12 459 billion are to be divided up into three parts. EUR 1 billion are due to be invested under the heading ‘new initiatives’ in an environmental recovery programme, 21,3 million in the promotion of Galicia's image, 265,4 million in economic regeneration, 2 946 in new high-speed railway lines and 676 million in new motorways. Under ‘plans in progress’ EUR 6 481 billion are due to be invested in transport infrastructure (2000-2007), 481 million in water distribution (2003-2008) and 290 million in the forestry plan (2003-2008). ‘Other measures’ include EUR 26 million in aid for individuals' or companies' loss of work as a result of the disaster, without specifying how much a definitive solution to the shipwreck off the Galician coast will cost. The TGV (high-speed railway) investments will cover the planned link between France and Madrid via Valladolid and a new link between France and Galicia. Given this state of affairs, does the Commission still maintain that it is unaware of funding for the ‘Galicia Plan’? In view of the project's scale and objectives, are resources available for the 2000-2006 period to cover the cost of investments under this plan? Does the Commission intend to co-finance the planned TGV link along the coast between Galicia and the French border? To what extent is it planning to take part in the co-financing of the EUR 1 billion maritime and coastal ‘environmental recovery programme’ within the ‘Galicia Plan’? Does the Commission intend to continue holding meetings on this subject with Spanish Government representatives? Has it taken the initiative of asking the Spanish Government to provide information on the ‘Galicia Plan’, which would require a significant contribution from the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(23 June 2003)

The Commission was aware of the Galicia Plan's existence, thanks to contact with the Spanish Government and authorities and to the information supplied by the Honourable Member. The plan does indeed provide for major investment in the region, some of which could no doubt be part-financed by the Structural Funds or the Cohesion Fund.

With regard to the Galicia Plan, the Commission would ask the Honourable Member to kindly refer to its answer to his oral question H-0144/03 during the April 2003 plenary session (1).

In addition, the Commission recently adopted a communication on action to deal with the effects of the Prestige disaster (2). With regard to the Structural Funds or the Cohesion Fund, the Commission has stressed on several occasions its willingness to cooperate with the Spanish authorities in order to help combat the aftermath of the disaster, within the limits of the applicable regulatory provisions.

In this context, the Commission would ask the Honourable Member to refer to the joint answer to questions E-3597/02 and E-3598/02 (3).

(1) Written answer of 8.4.2003.

(2) COM(2003) 105 final.

(3) OJ C 242 E, 9.10.2003, p. 65.