92002E0138

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0138/02

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

(1 February 2002)

Subject: Regeneration of beaches on the Malaga coastline

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 province of Malaga is covered by Objective 1 of the Structural Funds under the 2000-2006 Operational Programme for Andalusia. In their capacity as manager of 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.

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.