WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1403/98 by Pedro MARSET CAMPOS , Laura GONZÁLEZ ÁLVAREZ to the Commission. Irregularities in the handling of the special plan for the port of Ibiza (Balearic Islands, Spain)
C 402/126 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 22. 12. 98 (98/C 402/166) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1399/98 by JosØ ApolinÆrio (PSE) to the Commission (7 May 1998) Subject: Specific characteristics of the outermost regions in the energy sector In response to the specific characteristics of the outermost regions in the energy sector, the European Union has established Posei-Energy as part of the Community actions geared to those regions, outside and independently of the respective Community support frameworks. Given that these specific characteristics continue to apply, what is the current approach to this issue, in particular as regards the Azores? Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (24 June 1998) The energy activities under the Poseima programme were carried out by the Commission during a three-year period: in order to implement these funds amounting to a total of ECU 15 million were transferred to the Azores autonomous region and allocated to energy-saving and renewable-energy projects. The final annual instalment was paid in 1994. The Commission has not proposed that the energy section of the Poseima programme be renewed for 1995-1999. Conversely as part of Portugalís Community support framework (CSF) and of the REGIS project for the ultra peripheral regions, the Commission has adopted programmes providing for energy-investment support in the Azores for the period 1995-1999. In view of the underprivileged situation of the Azores in terms of conventional energy supplies, but also of the energy-saving potential and that of certain renewable sources, the energy sector in the Azores should continue to receive financial support from the Structural Funds during the new financial programming period. (98/C 402/167) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1403/98 by Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) and Laura GonzÆlez `lvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (11 May 1998) Subject: Irregularities in the handling of the special plan for the port of Ibiza (Balearic Islands, Spain) The Ibiza and Formentera Island Commission for Urban Development has approved a draft special plan for the port of Ibiza. However, it transpires that the environmental impact report was not included in the public information file on the plan until a very late stage, with the result that the Directorate-General for Ports acted before the requisite assessment report had become available. This report, whose conclusions have provoked public alarm, highlights a series of very important environmental problems which will fundamentally affect the make-up of the landscape and of social and cultural life and will also have repercussions for social life on the rest of the island, which generates the majority of its income from tourism. The failure of the Directorate-General for Environmental Assessment and Information to consult expressly a body of such high standing and repute as the Official Association of Architects › which has opposed the plan for the port of Ibiza and backed up its objections with sound arguments › has been the source of some bewilderment. Were it to proceed, the project would have a huge and irreversible impact upon the current face of the city and port of Ibiza. The Faro de Botafoch, Isla Grossa and Isla Valerino areas would be particularly affected, as would adjoining zones such as Platja des duros, which would disappear altogether. These areas mentioned specifically and designated áspecially protected natural areasí in the provincial plan for the Balearic Islands and in the town planning scheme drawn up by the municipality of Ibiza, both of which are in force. In addition, a residential area used by tourists would be destroyed, and the land and marine biological environments severely affected