WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3740/97 by Roberta ANGELILLI to the Commission. Assessment of the environmental impact of construction of the Castel Sant'Angelo subway in Rome
8. 6. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 174/111 (98/C 174/171) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3735/97 by Yves Verwaerde (PPE) to the Commission (21 November 1997) Subject: JEM Programme Would the Commission supply me with an initial report on this programme specifying: 1. The number of candidates having taking part in exchanges between the European Union and the Asian countries since this programme has been in existence, 2. The number of business receiving the participants and the sectors to which they belong. Answer given on behalf of Mr Mar ·n on behalf of the Commission (12 December 1997) The Junior EU-ASEAN Managers Exchange Programme was set up during 1996 and became fully operative in November 1996. It provides businesses in both regions with an opportunity to take in young managers from the partner region, allowing exchange of experience and culture. Since November 1996, three groups of young Asian managers (with 14, 17 and 10 members) have been found places in 19 businesses in six Member States, in the commerce and distribution, transport and electronic systems, energy and environment sectors respectively. Some 15 young European managers are to be sent to Asia and 15 young Asian managers are to come to Europe in January and February 1998, entering the distribution and micro-electronic sectors in Asia and distribution, the media and banks in Europe. The Programmeís first year in operation produced excellent results; the firms and young managers taking part expressed genuine satisfaction based on this experience. The Commission has also instructed an independent consultant to draw up an initial evaluation on this basis. (98/C 174/172) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3740/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (17 November 1997) Subject: Assessment of the environmental impact of construction of the Castel SantíAngelo subway in Rome I have already submitted a number of questions on the construction of the Castel SantíAngelo subway. Press articles published recently state that, when asked about the requirement that the subway project be subjected to an environmental impact assessment pursuant to Annex II of Directive 85/337/EEC (1), the Rome councillor responsible for public works maintained that such an assessment was unnecessary under Italian law (in particular circular GAB/96/15208 issued by the Environment Ministry on 7 October 1996). The Commission has, however, indicated in other cases that the presidential decree of 12 April 1996 should be referred to in connection with projects covered by Annex II of the above Directive, since it appears to constitute an accurate transposition of Community law. The above presidential decree stipulates that, for projects such as the subway, it is the job of the regional authorities to establish whether an environmental impact assessment is required and to lay down the relevant procedures. Despite this, Latium Regional Council has never looked into the issue of the subway and, furthermore, has yet to pass a regional law governing such matters. The Rome councillorís reference to the ministerial circular would therefore appear to be unfounded. Furthermore, Rome Councilís unilateral decision not to subject the project to an environmental impact assessment, despite the fact that it affects an area of great archaeological and architectural interest, would appear illegal