WRITTEN QUESTION E-2085/99 by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission. Negation of property rights in the Abruzzo National Park.
Date: 1999-11-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Abruzzi, European Regional Development Fund, Italy, national park, ownership

C 219 E/88

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

1.8.2000

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1999)

On the basis of the information given by the Honourable Member the Commission considers that, at
present, there are no grounds for intervention in this specific case.

In particular, as reported by the Honourable Member, the regional authorities have suspended work on the
project because it has not been made the subject of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure.
Action, therefore, appears to be underway at national level to ensure compliance with any obligations
which might exist under Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain
public and private projects on the environment.

issue concerning the implementation of Directive 85/337/EEC in the territory of
As for the general
Regione Lazio, it should be noted that Regione Lazio, by Deliberazione della giunta regionale 30 giugno
1998 n.3099, has given effect at regional level to the (cid:145)Decreto del Presidente della Repubblica 12 aprile
1996 atto di indirizzo e coordinamento concernente disposizioni in materia di valutazione di impatto
ambientale(cid:146), which sets out the requirements concerning the projects listed in Annex II of Directive
85/337/EEC for which regions are considered competent in the Italian legal system. Therefore, at present,
the part of Directive 85/337/EEC for which regions have been considered competent in the Italian legal
system is to be considered as implemented and applied in Regione Lazio. The compliance of the general
transposition in Italy of Directive 85/337/EEC at regional level is under the assessment of the Commission
in the framework of infringement proceedings.

(2000/C 219 E/105)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2085/99

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(12 November 1999)

Subject: Negation of property rights in the Abruzzo National Park

The Abruzzo National Park Authority has recently obtained funding from the European Regional
Development Fund for the Abruzzo region, measure 3.1, action b, under the sector for town planning,
environmental assets, national parks and nature reserves.

In the town of Civitella Alfadena, however, the protective measures linked to such funding have taken no
account whatsoever of the previously acquired property rights of several townspeople, who have had the
roads leading to their homes closed off, despite the fact that they were in possession of all the relevant
legal permits.

In the light of the above:

1.

2.

3.

does not the Commission consider this situation to be prejudicial to people(cid:146)s property rights?

does it not believe the negation of such property rights to be contrary to the spirit of ERDF funding?

does it not consider it would be advisable to ask the municipal authorities of Civitella Alfadena for an
explanation of the above?

4. what is the Commission(cid:146)s general opinion on the matter?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 1999)

The Commission is aware of the problems with the implementation of a project in Civitella Alfadena and
has asked the Abruzzo authorities, who are responsible for carrying out projects under the 1994-1999
Objective 1 multifund operational programme, to look into the matter.

1.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 219 E/89

If any irregularities are found the Commission will take the necessary steps under the rules in force, in
particular the provisions of Article 24 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/93 of 20 July 1993 amending
Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 on the tasks of the Structural Funds and their effectiveness and on
coordination of their activities between themselves and with the operations of the European Investment
Bank and the other existing financial instrument (1) concerning the (cid:145)reduction, suspension and cancellation
of assistance(cid:146).

(1) OJ L 193, 31.7.1993.

(2000/C 219 E/106)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2086/99

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 November 1999)

Subject: Irregularities in the European call for tenders by the Rome municipal authority for the supply of

uniforms for the municipal police

In February, the Chinese company YuYi won the European bidding for the supply of uniforms for the
municipal police in Rome. Despite the presence of textile experts and production test samples and despite
the impartial opinions of the Chamber of Commerce, the fabric of the sample uniform was found to be
different from that described in the procurement order, which, it would appear, is impossible to create!
Furthermore, other swindles have been uncovered, such as the 90 % price increase for the reams of paper
and the 80 % increase for staples. The matter is all the more cause for concern in that the Chinese
company is a front for the much better-known company (cid:145)Balloon(cid:146), in which the former brother-in-law of
the Mayor of Rome, Mr Rutelli, is a partner.

Can the Commission intervene in order to investigate the irregularities in the above procurement
procedure and subsequently inform Parliament of its findings?

Can the Commission adopt the necessary measures for monitoring European tenders to ensure that they
are conducted in compliance with the rules and to ensure that the contracts are awarded to specialist firms
rather than firms that are unable to carry out what is required of them?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 1999)

As a result of the honourable Member(cid:146)s information, the Commission plans to ask the Italian authorities
for all relevant information in order to assess the compatibility of the supply contract for police uniforms
for the City of Rome with Community law on public contracts. With this in mind, the Commission is
preparing a letter to be sent to the Italian authorities requesting clarification of the exercise.

in the light of this information,

it turns out that the procedures applied are incompatible with
If,
Community law, the Commission could start the proceedings for failure to fulfil an obligation laid down
in Article 226 (ex Article 169) of the EC Treaty.

At any rate, the Commission will of course inform the honourable Member of the outcome and of the
conclusions it might reach after considering the information provided by the Italian authorities.

(2000/C 219 E/107)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2094/99

by Brigitte Langenhagen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 November 1999)

Subject: Slaughter premiums in 1998

What was the cost in euros to the European Union in 1998 for subsidies in the form of slaughter
premiums or similar subsidies?