WRITTEN QUESTION E-3076/01 by Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission. The case concerning State aid for the Terra Mítica theme park (Alicante) — loans granted.
Date: 2001-11-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Andalusia, State aid, control of State aid, infringement procedure (EU), leisure park, loan

C 147 E/90

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

Nevertheless, it should be borne in mind that discrimination on the grounds of disability is only covered
under Community law by Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general
framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation. The Directive is thus limited in scope. It
would therefore appear that the Commission has no power to intervene in the specific instance referred to
by the Honourable Member given that the discrimination concerned would not appear to be connected
with access to employment. However, given that the Commission does not have the full facts of the case
referred to by the Honourable Member, it is unable to set out its position definitively.

We would nevertheless draw the Honourable Member’s attention to the proposal for a Council Decision on
the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 (1). The aim of this initiative is to promote better
understanding of disabilities and to encourage the active involvement of all interested parties at every level.
Finally, the Year will offer an opportunity for a series of initiatives aimed at raising awareness within
Europe of the problems faced by the disabled and at removing the obstacles preventing them from
participating fully in many aspects of daily life.

(1) OJ C 240 E, 28.8.2001.

(2002/C 147 E/095)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3076/01

by Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission

(12 November 2001)

Subject: The case concerning State aid for the ‘Terra Mítica’ theme park (Alicante) 9 loans granted

The report published by the audit office of the Valencian regional government concerning the company
Parque Temático de Alicante SA (SPTA) specifies the details of the loan of ESP 8 million combined with the
Valencian Government’s bank guarantee at the variable MIBOR (Madrid Interbank Offered Rate) plus 0,75
points. The loan is being used to finance the loan of the same amount which SPTA is in turn granting to
Terra Mítica SA at the variable MIBOR plus 1,50 points. This loan is subject to a syndicated loan of
ESP 18 500 million arranged by Terra Mítica with various financial institutions. The conditions are that
Terra Mítica SA will meet the commitments deriving from the loan granted by SPTA only if all the
obligations deriving from the syndicated loan have been met first.

Does the Commission consider that in this case the regional government (directly and via the public
company SPTA) is acting in accordance with the ‘private investor’ principle?

Does it consider that the benefit of 0,75 points is enough to justify the risk the operation entails?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(10 January 2002)

In its decision initiating proceedings under Article 88(2) (former Article 93(2)) of the EC Treaty with regard
to suspected aid for the Terra Mitica Park at Benidorm, Alicante (1), the Commission expresses doubts
about the terms of the aid to which the Honourable Member refers (2). Accordingly, no answer can be
given to the two questions put by the Honourable Member (see E-3077/01) until a final decision has been
taken.

(1) OJ C 300, 26.10.2001.
(2) See point 58 of the Decision.