WRITTEN QUESTION E-0138/02 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Regeneration of beaches on the Malaga coastline.
Date: 2002-02-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Spain, bad weather, coastal region, economic consequence, emergency aid, regional aid, tourism

29.8.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 205 E/77

to Article 226 of the EC Treaty has been issued. In the absence of an answer to this reasoned opinion, the
Commission decided to bring the case before the European Court of Justice. Shortly afterwards, the
authorities of
the Netherlands responded to the reasoned opinion. This answer is currently under
assessment. If the assessment under way shows that the authorities of the Netherlands have acted in
compliance with the provisions of Article 9 of the Directive, the case will be closed. Otherwise, the
Commission could decide to implement its former decision to bring the matter before the European Court
of Justice.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(2002/C 205 E/084)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0138/02

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

Subject: Regeneration of beaches on the Malaga coastline

(1 February 2002)

The tourism authorities of the province of Malaga, Spain, have been the first to take action to tackle the
disastrous condition of the beaches in many parts of the Costa del Sol as a result of the recent storms and
the serious damage caused.

The main tourism authorities of the province at all levels have shown deep concern for this problem,
since, unless the beaches are regenerated within a few months, the adverse effects on tourism in the Costa
del Sol will be significant.

Will the Commission say what emergency Community aid could be used to help combat the effects of the
disastrous storms which devastated the Costa del Sol’s beaches?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 2002)

The Commission cannot grant exceptional aid because Parliament removed the specific budget line for
emergency aid in the event of natural disasters in the Member States in 1997. That line had an annual
budget of € 5 million. The Commission must therefore aid the reconstruction of the affected regions
through existing instruments, under regional policy in particular.

the Structural Funds under the 2000-2006
The province of Malaga is covered by Objective 1 of
Operational Programme for Andalusia.
the various operational
programmes, the Spanish authorities can decide to jointly finance infrastructure projects and projects to
redevelop damaged productive activities, provided that they meet the programme’s objectives, are eligible
for the Structural Funds and comply with the legislation in force.

In their capacity as manager of

The Commission will promptly consider any notifications submitted by the Spanish authorities, but any
decision on whether to grant aid or not is for them alone to take.

(2002/C 205 E/085)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0142/02

by Giuseppe Di Lello Finuoli (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(29 January 2002)

Subject: Creation of anti-globalisation units and a database for demonstrators

It is reported by a number of information networks that the Spanish Ministry of the Interior has set up
‘anti-globalisation’ units.