WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1663/98 by Ian WHITE to the Commission. Italian milk quotas
18. 1. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 13/59 What is the Commissionís official view of this matter and how will it respond to secure the immediate cancellation of the construction of this road at a distance of only 800 metres from the ancient theatre of Dodona, a project which also threatens totally to destroy the archaeological site and the natural environment in the area? Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (17 July 1998) The protection and preservation of the archaeological heritage is the sole responsibility of national authorities. The role of the Community is to encourage co-operation between the Member States in the field of culture and cultural heritage as stipulated in Article 128 of the EC Treaty. In this context, the protection of the ancient archaeological site of Dodoni, Ioannina, falls within the competence of the Hellenic authorities. However, information received from the Hellenic authorities indicates that the local road in the vicinity of the archaeological site is more than 800 metres from the ancient theatre of Dodoni and will not in any way affect either the archaeological or the environmental landscape as its construction meets all the rules foreseen by the Hellenic archaeological services and furthermore it has been approved by both the local and central archaeological councils. (1999/C 13/084) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1656/98 by Antonio Tajani (PPE) to the Commission (18 May 1998) Subject: Delays in implementing the URBAN programme in Rome Does the Commission intend to monitor the progress made by Rome City Council in implementing the URBAN programme? Is the Commission aware of any difficulties in implementing the programme, that could lead to a reduction in funding, as reported by the Italian press ( Il Giornaleí, 10 May 1998)? When does the Commission plan to inform the European Parliament of the state of progress of URBAN in Rome? Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (18 June 1998) Through the monitoring committee specifically created for the purpose, the Commission monitors closely the implementation of the URBAN programme by the Italian authorities concerned, including the subprogramme in Rome undertaken by Rome city council. The Commission is aware of general difficulties in the start-up phase of the programme encountered by most of the authorities involved. These difficulties are being gradually overcome and, expenditure under the programme is now picking up, albeit slowly. The programme provides for the reprogramming between cities of resources which cannot be used by one authority within the deadlines but could be used by another authority. The Commission intends to inform the Parliament about the implementation of Community initiatives in a special report in autumn 1998. (1999/C 13/085) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1663/98 by Ian White (PSE) to the Commission (29 May 1998) Subject: Italian milk quotas What action does the Commission propose to take, having regard to the reports that the Italian Government is said to have offered to pay 80 % of the fines of Italian milk producers for over-production beyond quota?