WRITTEN QUESTION E-2004/99 by Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission. State aid to the Terra Mítica theme park in Benidorm (Alicante) and its compatibility with the common market.
18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/111 Answer (24 January 2000) Iran Aid is currently under investigation by the UK Charity Commission. The Council does not make statements about ongoing investigations in Member States. (2000/C 203 E/141) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2004/99 by Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission (9 November 1999) Subject: State aid to the Terra Mítica theme park in Benidorm (Alicante) and its compatibility with the common market In 1997 an organisation known as the European Theme Park Association, of which the company which runs Port Aventura was a principal member, lodged a complaint against the construction of the Terra Mítica theme park in Benidorm on the basis that the project was receiving state aid from the Valencian government. Despite the fact that a considerable period of time has elapsed, no notice of any decision has been received. Does the Commission believe that state aid incompatible with the common market has been granted to the Terra Mítica project in Benidorm? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (30 November 1999) The Commission has examined closely the complaint referred to by the Honourable Member. It has held several meetings with the complainant, the Spanish authorities and representatives of Terra Mitica. In addition, it has written eleven letters to the Spanish authorities and the complainant and has received twenty-eight replies. This extensive correspondence and the considerable period of time that has elapsed are attributable, on the one hand, to the number of objections notified and the complexity of some of them (valuation of capital contributions and promotion of the theme park, for example) and, on the other, to the fact that the objections have been notified by the complainant over time. The Commission has not yet come to the conclusion that aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) (former Article 92(1)) of the EC Treaty has been granted by the Valencian government and the municipality of Benidorm to the Terra Mitica association. A final decision on this matter will be taken as soon as possible. (2000/C 203 E/142) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2006/99 by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) and Rosa Díez GonzÆlez (PSE) to the Council Subject: Replacement of drift nets (9 November 1999) Council Regulation 1239/98 (1) prohibiting the use of drift nets from 2002 states that there must be a gradual reduction in the use of these nets by fleets currently using them. No more than 60 % of fishing boats which used one or more drift nets during the period 1995 to 1997 would be allowed to use them in 1998. The regulation also obliged Member States to provide the Commission with a list of those boats authorised to fish with drift nets by 31 July 1998