WRITTEN QUESTION E-2549/01 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Community solidarity in restoring the Sierra de Mijas.
Date: 2001-09-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Andalusia, EAGGF, EU aid, EU programme, European Regional Development Fund, afforestation, fire, fire protection

16.5.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 115 E/113

Concerning the rapid restoration of the network, the Commission is providing € 3,8 million in the 2001
national programme for Croatia funded from the CARDS programme. These funds will be for technical
support for the rehabilitation of the central power station located at the village of Ernestinovo in the
Croatian Danube Region, which will complement a project funded by the European Investment Bank.
Restoration of electricity power lines in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a priority in the integrated
reconstruction programmes such as the one in Mostar, funded by the Commission under the Obnova
programme (1).

The Commission is unable to estimate the potential cost to the Greek economy of the suspended
interconnection to the network of the Union pour la Coordination du Transport de l’Electricité (UCTE). No
compensation is being considered.

The Commission would like to see links between Greece and the UCTE network restored.

(1) The Obnova programme (which has been superseded by CARDS) is a European programme for the rehabilitation
and reconstruction of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

(2002/C 115 E/116)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2549/01

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2001)

Subject: Community solidarity in restoring the Sierra de Mijas

Ten groups with various backgrounds and interests have decided to set up a campaign named ‘Mijas por
sus sierras y su entorno’ with the chief aim of restoring the areas destroyed by fire in July 2001.

The campaign group is making nine specific demands and its proposals for the restoration of the Sierra are
being studied by Mijas council technicians and the regional government of Andalucia.

Given the scale of the ecological disaster which hit the area as a result of the forest fire and the much-
needed solidarity called for by people living in the area, can the Commission say to what extent it might
help to meet
the expenses entailed by such solidarity, making a contribution towards the speedy
restoration of what was once beautiful woodland and has now been reduced to a picture of desolation?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2001)

The Commission too is highly concerned at the forest fires that devastated southern regions of the Union,
in Spain in particular, this summer. It is well aware of the problem, especially where it affects sensitive
areas of great environmental
importance, which must be protected if the forest ecosystems of the
Mediterranean are to be preserved.

On 3 May 2001 the Commission accordingly approved a programme costing a total of EUR 3,4 million,
with a Community contribution of EUR 1,7 million, to protect forests from fire in Spain in 2001 under
Council Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 on protection of the Community’s forests against fire (1). The
programme provides in particular for the implementation of awareness and surveillance measures, the
building of tracks, firebreaks and water supply points, and the execution of other forestry operations to
prevent fires.

C 115 E/114

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

16.5.2002

Under the sixth indent of Article 30(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 on support for rural
development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and
repealing certain Regulations (2), assistance for reinstating natural areas destroyed by fire can be granted
from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) to help restore forest production
potential.

Such assistance, however, can be granted only where the rural development programme is appropriately
designed and on condition that EAGGF funds allocated for regional development in Objective 1 regions
under the Community support framework (CSF) for 2000-2006 are sufficient to provide a significant
contribution towards work to repair the damage caused by the disaster.

Just because regional programming is multiannual does not mean it has to be static; on the contrary, it
must adapt to the actual situation so the final objectives of rural and overall development of the region are
achieved.

In this connection, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) too can provide assistance for
measures to protect and restore the natural environment in Andalusia under the environment, natural
surroundings and water resources priority of the Andalusia integrated operational programme for 2000-
2006.

In addition, the programme complement for that operational programme provides EUR 1,76 million for
forestry under that priority; of that amount, EUR 1,23 million (70 % of total) is to come from the EAGGF.

In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, it is for the Member State to choose the actual projects for
part-financing, primarily on the basis of the selection criteria laid down for the programming period and
in line with its own priorities.

It is therefore for the regional authorities responsible for managing and renewing the programme to
consider providing such assistance, where they deem it necessary.

(1) OJ L 217, 31.7.1992.
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2002/C 115 E/117)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2550/01

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2001)

Subject: Complaint regarding the discrimination suffered by foreign prisoners in Community prisons

including the
Various Community courts have protested at the impunity with which state powers,
judiciary, discriminate against foreign prisoners, both Community and non-Community nationals, with
regard to the freeing of prisoners on licence.

The judges have considered it unjust that non-nationals are systematically denied the possibility of being
freed on licence on the grounds that they have no roots in the country in which they are serving their
sentence and that they might flee. Given that being freed on licence is not possible, their behaviour outside
prison cannot be assessed and there is therefore no possibility either of them being placed in the lowest
category of prisoners with day-release privileges.

Can the Commission say whether it considers it appropriate, with a view to preventing this discrimination
against foreign prisoners E both Community and non-Community nationals E as regards being freed on
licence, to propose Community legislation guaranteeing that foreign prisoners can be freed on licence on
the same conditions as prisoners who are nationals of the state concerned?