WRITTEN QUESTION E-2202/00 by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission. Proposed intercontinental airport in Sicily.
Date: 2000-07-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Sicily, airport, common transport policy, competence of the Member States

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/87

This is an extraordinary and exceptional state of affairs which, according to vulcanologists, can be expected
to continue for some considerable time. It is a genuine natural disaster that further exacerbates the
precarious economic circumstances of this Objective 1 region.

Could the Commission state whether it intends to intervene, as it has done previously in other Member
States in similar circumstances, to assist the communities that have been so seriously affected by the
unaccustomed activity of Mount Etna, Europe(cid:146)s highest active volcano?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(19 September 2000)

The operational programme for Sicily for the 2000-2006 programming period under Objective 1 of the
Structural Funds is being drawn up at present and is expected, once the Commission has examined it, to
receive its formal approval in the months ahead.

It will be recalled that the regional authorities are responsible for the implementation of the programme,
and consequently for any decision on measures that are to be part-financed. Under the programme, Sicily
has proposed a measure to assist the prevention of natural disasters and to compensate for damage caused
to agricultural production, similar to those referred to by the Honourable Member.

Investments in these areas could qualify for Community part-financing, provided the region makes
provision for this in the programme complement.

(2001/C 103 E/094)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2202/00

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Proposed intercontinental airport in Sicily

(3 July 2000)

The local authorities in Sicily have included in their plans for the development of the regional air transport
system the construction of an intercontinental airport to enable Sicily, one of the larger islands in the
Mediterranean, to play a pivotal role in the provision of air links between Europe, Africa, Asia and the
other main overseas destinations.

1. What position does the Commission intend to adopt in relation to the proposal for an interconti-
nental airport on the outermost edge of Europe?

2. What criteria have been laid down for the creation of new transport (cid:145)hubs(cid:146) in the Union?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 2000)

The decision to develop a new airport falls under the responsibility of local and national authorities. The
Commission and the Community have no role to play at this level of the decision process.

Should the Italian authorities request support for an airport project, the Commission will have to assess
this application on the basis of the relevant requirements and procedures for the use of Community funds.
In relation to the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) these rules are laid down in Decision
No 1692/96/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 1996 on Community guidelines for the
development of the trans-European network (1) and in Council Regulation No 2236/95 of 18 September
1995 laying down general rules for the granting of Community financial aid in the field of trans-European
networks (2).

C 103 E/88

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

As regards the possibility of support to be drawn from the Community Structural Funds, the operational
programme for the Sicilia region for 2000-2006 offers scope for supporting activities aimed at defining
and providing airport structures. Financing feasibility studies for such action may be contemplated against
this backdrop.

(1) OJ L 228, 9.9.1996.
(2) OJ L 228, 23.9.1995.

(2001/C 103 E/095)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2203/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: Involvement of the Flemish Region in the European Greenlight programme

In February 2002 the Commission launched the Greenlight programme. It reflects the Kyoto objectives and
seeks to reduce the adverse effect of lighting on the living environment. The Commission(cid:146)s booklet (http://
www.eu-greenlight.org) lists 15 national agencies which have undertaken to promote the initiative.

For the Belgian federation the booklet refers only to the region of Wallonia. The person responsible for the
Greenlight programme apparently also contacted the other regions, which appear not to have responded
to the request to promote the Greenlight programme.

Has the Flemish Region officially requested to become a promoter (agency) of

1.
Greenlight programme? If so, when and by whom?

the European

2.
Has the Flemish Region responded to the Commission(cid:146)s request to be a partner in the Greenlight
programme? If so, when, how and who gave a positive response to the Commission(cid:146)s offer? If not, why is
the Flemish Region not interested in the Commission(cid:146)s Greenlight programme? What are the reasons put
forward by the Flemish Region for not participating in the programme?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 2000)

In early 1999 the Spanish energy agency Instituto para la Diversification y Ahorro de la Energ(cid:237)a (IDAE)
took the lead in an initiative together with other national and regional energy agencies in order to submit
a proposal for a SAVE project to promote the greenlight programme. In this context the Commission
provided IDAE with a list of European agencies, including the two regional agencies in Belgium. Most of
the energy agencies that have been addressed by IDAE replied to this call. However, this was not the case
for the two Belgian agencies.

Later in 1999, the Commission itself contacted the two Belgian regional agencies, as well as other national
energy agencies that did not join this SAVE project in order to encourage their participation, but the
Commission did not receive a reply from the Flemish agency. The Commission continues to be very
interested in having an official promoter in the Flemish Region and to this end it will continue to seek a
positive reaction from the Flemish agency.