WRITTEN QUESTION E-2194/00 by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission. Construction of a multi-cinema complex in Puerto del Grau (Castellón, Spain).
Date: 2000-07-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community of Valencia, European Regional Development Fund, application of EU law, building industry, environmental impact, transport of dangerous goods

C 103 E/84

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

(2001/C 103 E/090)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2191/00

by Isidoro SÆnchez Garc(cid:237)a (ELDR) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: Assessment of the attitude adopted by Mr Chris Patten, Commissioner, with regard to Mr Javier

Solana

How does the Commission assess the attitude adopted by Mr Chris Patten, Commissioner, in his relations
with Mr Javier Solana, the Council Secretary-General and the Community figure responsible for the EU(cid:146)s
foreign and security policy?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 2000)

The Member of the Commission in charge of external relations has repeatedly emphasised that he works
extremely well with the High Representative, Javier Solana. Their joint reports to successive European
Councils on the Western Balkans illustrate this cooperative spirit. The Commissioner and the High
Representative have the shared objective of strengthening the common foreign and security policy (CFSP).

Many advances were made in CFSP in the Treaty on European Union and the Amsterdam Treaty. The
Commission is fully associated with both the foreign and security policy aspects of CFSP. It will assume in
full its obligations under the Treaty to contribute to a coherent and ambitious policy of the Union. This
needs to draw on relevant Community instruments as well as the CFSP itself. To this end, the Commis-
sioner will continue to work closely with the High Representative for CFSP.

(2001/C 103 E/091)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2194/00

by Mar(cid:237)a Sornosa Mart(cid:237)nez (PSE) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: Construction of a multi-cinema complex in Puerto del Grau (Castell(cid:243)n, Spain)

A special plan which has been drawn up by the Castell(cid:243)n port authority as the basis for a number of
commercial properties to be built in the area known as Muelle de Costa is currently undergoing final
approval. However, neighbourhood organisations (in particular (cid:145)Mediterr(cid:224)nia(cid:146), a neighbourhood and
cultural association based in Grau de Castell(cid:243)) have reported that the project includes the construction
(not made clear in the special plan) of a huge multi-cinema complex which,
together with other
commercial premises, will occupy an area of 7 200 square metres and reach a height of 13 metres.
If such buildings were constructed the town of Castell(cid:243)n would be virtually closed off from the sea and the
whole project would have a major impact on the landscape.

Local people have also reported various risks to public health connected with the planned location of the
multi-cinema complex, particularly in view of the fact that trains carrying hazardous substances would
travel along a railway line only a few yards away from the leisure complex.

In view of the fact that paragraph 8(b) of Annex 1 of Directive 97/11/EC (1) (85/337/EC revised) includes
trading ports and piers for loading and unloading amongst
to
environmental
in view of the major impact
which the project will have on the landscape around the town of Castell(cid:243)n, a statutory environmental
impact assessment should have been carried out, as provided for in the above-mentioned Directive 97/11/
EC, in particular in the amended Article 3 thereof which refers to direct and indirect effects on landscape?

impact assessment, does the Commission not think that,

the installations which are subject

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/85

Could the Commission ascertain whether or not, in view of the proximity of the above-mentioned railway
line,
the buildings concerned in Puerto del Grau is compatible with
Community law governing the transportation of hazardous substances?

the planned construction of

In view of the fact that 60 % of the total cost of the planned extension to the port at Castell(cid:243)n is to be paid
out of the ERDF, does the Commission consider that the project satisfies the principles and objectives for
which such funding was requested? In its reply, could it state precisely what objectives were contained in
the application for ERDF funding which was submitted by the Spanish authorities?

(1) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.

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

(7 September 2000)

The Commission was not aware of the situation the Honourable Member has described. It has yet to
receive any complaint that the project in question has failed to comply with Community directives.
Nonetheless,
it will question the Spanish authorities shortly to ensure that the Community directives
applicable in this instance are indeed being complied with.

As for Community law on the transport of dangerous goods by rail, Council Directive 96/49/EC of 23 July
1996 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States with regard to the transport of dangerous
goods by rail (1) includes provisions on the classification, packaging and labelling of such substances as well
as provisions applicable to the wagons used for this type of transport. The Directive ensures a high level of
safety in the transport of such goods by rail, but does not deal with the question of land use in the vicinity
of railway tracks.

The Commission confirms that a project to extend a quay at the port of Castell(cid:243)n costing approximately
€ 18 million was allocated Structural Fund assistance in the 1994-1999 regional programme for Valencia.
However, as is normal, this individual project was selected by the Spanish authorities concerned in
accordance with the provisions of the programme and the Commission is not aware of any particular
aspects of the request made to them.

(1) OJ L 235, 17.9.1996.

(2001/C 103 E/092)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2198/00

by Gilles Savary (PSE) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: European coordination of insurance provisions

A French national,
reimbursement by his French insurance company on the grounds that the Spanish driver is not insured.

involved in a road accident in Spain with a Spanish national, has been refused

On what Community or intergovernmental provisions can the plaintiff base an appeal for damages?

What court action can the French victim of this road accident take under the existing legislation?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 2000)

The Honourable Member is referred to Article 1(4) of
the second Council Directive 84/5/EEC of
30 December 1983 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to insurance against