WRITTEN QUESTION P-0733/04 by Giuseppe Di Lello Finuoli (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. European cofinancing of the Gazzi-Annunziata tramline in Messina under the Multifund Operational Programme 1994-1999.
Date: 2004-03-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Sicily, administrative court, enforcement of ruling, environmental impact, impact study, operational programme, rail network

C 88 E/524

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Provision of that assistance falls under the authority of the Italian Government, which as managing
authority for
is responsible for selecting and
monitoring the individual projects. For more detailed information the Honourable Member should
therefore approach the national authorities.

the programme (Ministry for Production Activities)

Where Community measures with decentralised management are concerned, the Commission normally
confines itself to system checks and on-the-spot sample checks.

(2004/C 88 E/0537)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0733/04

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

(4 March 2004)

Subject: European cofinancing of

the Gazzi-Annunziata tramline in Messina under

the Multifund

Operational Programme 1994-1999

Judging from the statements made in the Sicilian press by politicians and those involved in the project, it
would seem that Community funding for the construction of the Gazzi-Annunziata tramway in Messina
was not forfeited since the facility was completed before 31 March 2002.

While I would like to accept as complete a construction project that required various interventions after
the above date in order to bring the service into operation, and on which work continues on some urban
sections still to be restored to service, could the Commission honour my legitimate right to information on
public works by indicating:

(cid:1) whether Community cofinancing was actually granted;

(cid:1) how it views the significant change in respect of the route of the original project;

(cid:1) whether it can confirm acceptance of the ruling by the Catania Regional Administrative Court, which
on 6 July 1996 upheld the appeal by Messina Municipal Council against the need to submit an
environmental
impact assessment and ordered the responsible authorities to release the European
funding that should be granted by the Regional Government?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 2004)

The Commission confirms that the project referred to by the Honourable Member was part-financed under
the 1994-1999 Multifund Operational Programme (MOP) for Sicily. One of the requirements for such
part-financing is that the project is complete and in operation by the final date laid down in the decision
adopting the programme. In its final report on the Sicilian MOP the managing authority states that these
requirements were met.

Under the subsidiarity principle it is the national authorities that have prime responsibility for ensuring
compliance with Community laws and regulations. Sicily Region was responsible for selecting and
monitoring implementation of the projects funded under the 1994-1999 MOP.

The Commission agreed with the ruling of the regional administrative court (Tribunale Amministrativo
Regionale) of 6 July 2001 that there was no need for an environmental impact assessment for the project.