WRITTEN QUESTION E-0187/02 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Commission statements in favour of nuclear power.
Date: 2002-02-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commissioner, energy policy, nuclear energy, public opinion, public statement

C 172 E/150

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2002

the protection and promotion of archaeological sites, historical
and may co-finance projects for
monuments and other infrastructure of cultural interest to the region, as well as measures to protect and
develop local cultural traditions and heritage.

As far as the granting of this Community assistance is concerned, the Commission would remind the
Honourable Member that, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, both the selection of projects
and the implementation and management of programmes co-financed under the Structural Funds are the
responsibility of the Member States. Additional
information may be obtained from either the Greek
Ministry of Culture (help.desk@ma.culture.gr) or the authorities that manage the regional operational
programme (nikobomb@mou.gr).

(2002/C 172 E/156)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0133/02

by Carlos Carnero González (PSE) to the Commission

(4 February 2002)

Subject: Statements on nuclear power by Commissioner de Palacio

The statements in support of nuclear power in Europe made yesterday in Madrid by Commissioner Loyola
de Palacio have been widely reported in the Spanish media.

Bearing in mind that public opinion in Europe is highly sensitive to the question of the future of nuclear
power, and given the valid differences of opinion on this matter and the forceful nature of Mrs de Palacio’s
remarks, it is vital that the Commission provide some explanations.

Are these statements Mrs Palacio’s own opinions or do they reflect the position of the Commission? Does
the Commission not think that the Commissioner responsible for energy should exercise greater caution
when discussing such matters, not least to avoid confusion between personal opinions and Commission
policy? Does it not think that these remarks could jeopardise the debate on the Green Paper on energy?

(2002/C 172 E/157)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0187/02

by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(6 February 2002)

Subject: Commission statements in favour of nuclear power

Of the 15 European Union Member States, seven at present have no nuclear power stations. In some cases
(e.g. Italy) this is the result of a referendum. Other Member States, such as Sweden, have also consulted
their voters and intend to phase out their nuclear power stations. A similar situation applies in Germany,
where, after complex negotiations, the government and the electricity companies have agreed on a
timetable for the closure of all nuclear power stations. No reactor is currently being constructed in any EU
Member State, while Spain shut down its last operating uranium mine in 2000. For some years now it has
been clear from all opinion polls that public opinion in the EU is strongly opposed to nuclear power.

In the light of the above what are the Commission’s reasons for its statements in favour of nuclear power?

Does the Commission consider it a reasonable policy to reaffirm support for an energy source which is
rejected by European public opinion and by a considerable number of governments in the Union?

18.7.2002

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/151

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-0133/02 and E-0187/02
given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 2002)

The Commission’s position on nuclear energy is outlined in the Green Paper on energy supply (1) from
November 2000. The declarations referred to by the Honourable Members < as those of any other
Member of the Commission < are made in this context.

(1) COM(2000) 769 final.

(2002/C 172 E/158)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0136/02

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

Subject: Campaign to publicise rural tourism in Andalusia

(1 February 2002)

The rural tourism sector in Andalusia has expanded appreciably in recent years in terms of the number of
accommodation units and beds available.

According to data from the Spanish national statistical office, however, nine out of every ten tourists using
the rural tourism network in Andalusia are Spanish, with very few foreign visitors.

As tourist development is one of the most important instruments for boosting development of the
countryside, does the Commission think that EAGGF resources could be used for publicity campaigns on
rural tourism in Andalusia, so as to attract tourists from other EU countries and increase the rate of
occupancy of this type of accommodation, which is little known in the Community tourism sector as a
whole, or what proposals could it put forward for securing Community funds to finance an information
campaign of this kind?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(26 February 2002)

The Commission was unaware of the facts brought to its attention by the Honourable Member.

Resolution of this type of difficulty does not fall within the Community’s sphere of responsibility but is a
matter for national and/or regional authorities, in this case the Autonomous Community of Andalusia.

Through the Structural Funds the Commission contributes to various regional development programmes in
Spain. For Andalusia a number of agricultural and rural development programmes receive Community
financing.

Under the ‘action and information plan’ of the Operational Programme for Andalusia for the period
2000-2006 certain measures have been adopted that may help relieve the Honourable Member’s concern.
Rural development policy aims at creating a coherent and sustainable framework that will guarantee the
future of rural areas by promoting diversification of agricultural activities and inter alia expansion of rural
tourism.

These programmes are managed at Member State level and hence by national and/or regional authorities
and not by the Commission.