91997E2483

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2483/97 by Luciano Pettinari (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (16 July 1997)

Subject: Interreg II and the port of Monopoli

The Apulian port of Monopoli is one of the most important points of contact between Italy and Albania and thus serves as a major link between the territory of the European Union and Tirana. Precisely for that reason the port of Monopoli was included among the sites that would benefit from the Interreg 2 development programme (Italy-Albania) and receive considerable Community funding. Following a series of high-level contacts between the commune of Monopoli, the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic and the region of Apulia the port was definitively selected as a beneficiary project of Interreg 2; but for no apparent reason the Commission informed the commune of Monopoli on 22 May 1997 that the port was to be excluded from Interreg 2. This appears to be undue interference in the autonomous choices that are the preserve of political bodies; given the natural and obvious value of the port of Monopoli in the development of EU-Albania relations, why is the Commission excluding the port of Monopoli from the list of beneficiaries of Interreg 2? Does the Commission not intend to grant the port at least part of the funds available since if the entire amount were given to Bari it would undoubtedly exceed requirements? What sites in the region of Apulia have been selected as recipients of Interreg 2 funds and what were the selection criteria?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (22 September 1997)

The objectives, contents and beneficiaries of the Interreg II programme for Italy and Albania were defined in partnership by the Commission, the Italian Government and the region of Apulia, in accordance with the procedures for the approval of aid programmes part-financed by the Community.

The programme approved on 10 October 1996 does not specifically include any projects benefiting the port of Monopoli. Nevertheless, the regional authorities recently consulted the members of the programme's Monitoring Committee about a proposal to include the port of Monopoli. The Commission has also received the information needed to evaluate the proposal, which it is currently examining, as are the other members of the Monitoring Committee.

With regard to eligible areas, the entire province of Bari is eligible under the programme. The specific sites receiving financing under Interreg depend on the location of the projects financed. The project selection criteria vary according to the type of measures financed and are specified in both the programme measures and the calls for tender published by the Italian authorities.