EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/410

(2004/C 78 E/0431)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2601/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(20 August 2003)

Subject: Refurbishment of the historic town centre of Rieti

Rieti, one of the main towns in the province of Lazio, has a rich heritage in the form of historically and artistically significant buildings and the town council is now endeavouring to implement a refurbishment and restoration plan with a view to preserving that heritage.

The aim is to highlight the importance of the town as an historic monument, but also to restore it to its role as a cohesive, properly functioning community by means of a wide range of measures, including street repairs, improved street lighting, better road access to the historic town centre, restoration of the medieval walls, replacement of the signs identifying buildings in the medieval town centre, etc.

The town council therefore needs to secure very substantial funding for this town-planning and restoration work, drawing on all the available sources, including, in particular, EU grants.

Given that the second Urban programme, which is designed to provide funding for this type of work, has already been completed, can the Commission state:

1. whether a third Urban programme is scheduled for 2004 or thereafter or whether fresh calls for proposals are to be issued?

2. whether there are other programmes which could provide Rieti with the funding it needs to carry out the work outlined above?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 2003)

As regards the Community initiative programme Urban II, the choice of towns to receive assistance in Italy was proposed by the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport in accordance with the procedure published in Italian Official Gazette No 168 of 20 July 2000. No provision is made for further funding for other towns up to the end of 2006.

As regards other sources of possible funding, the town of Rieti is partly eligible under Objective 2, as set out in the Commission Decision of 27 July 2000 (1).

Measure III.2 in the single programming document (SPD) for the Lazio Region, which governs European Regional Development Fund assistance in this respect, allows funding for measures to promote the development of areas, in particular historic centres, of significance in terms of tourism, culture or the environment.

However, it is for the managing authority responsible for the SPD (in this case the Regione Lazio — Economy and Finance Department) to examine whether particular measures may receive Community funding.

In addition to the funding possibilities provided under the Structural Funds on the basis of the above, the Commission may support initiatives in the cultural sector under and in accordance with the selection criteria for the ‘Culture 2000’ programme, which is the single financing and programming instrument for cultural cooperation in the European Union.

This programme is designed to support projects co-produced and part-financed by at least three promoters from at least three countries participating in the programme. The Honourable Member will find further details at the following address: (http://europa.eu.int/comm/culture/c2000).

(1) 2000/530/EC: Commission Decision of 27 July 2000 listing the areas of Italy eligible under Objective 2 of the Structural Funds for the period 2000 to 2006 (notified under document number C(2000) 2327) (Only the Italian text is authentic), OJ L 223, 4.9.2000.