WRITTEN QUESTION E-0958/00 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. EU contribution to tourism development in Melilla.
20. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 53 E/47 Consequently the Commission has not foreseen financing for meetings among eligible institutions prior to presentation of project proposals under the framework of the ALFA programme, launched on 15 February 2000 (1). (1) OJ C 42, 15. 2. 2000. (2001/C 53 E/053) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0958/00 by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: EU contribution to tourism development in Melilla (29 March 2000) The city of Melilla, located in North Africa and part of the European Union, is seeking means of resolving the major problems affecting it, namely isolation and the need to diversify its economy through the sustained development of tourism. Potentially it offers a double attractiveness, as a European city for the Maghreb and as a gateway to Africa for Europe. Melilla therefore needs to implement a large-scale tourism plan, including the regeneration of its beaches and the improvement of sea and air communications links. These two key factors will make it possible to dynamise other elements that are needed for a far-reaching tourism development programme. Can the Commission state to what extent it believes that the EU can participate in an integrated tourism development plan for Melilla, to enable this city, situated in North Africa but part of the Union, to become, in the medium to long term, a genuine tourist attraction for all the Unionís Member States? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (25 May 2000) The autonomous city of Melilla is eligible under Objective 1 of the Structural Funds for the 2000-2006 programming period. At present Spainís operational programme proposals are in preparation prior to transmission to the Commission, which will of course give serious consideration to support for the development of tourism in Melilla if included. (2001/C 53 E/054) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0963/00 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (29 March 2000) Subject: Drought in Aragon The Spanish region of Aragon suffers from a serious structural drought problem. Since 1915 the national government has produced successive laws and programmes proposing irrigation schemes aimed at remedying the problem. However, many of these schemes have never got off the ground for budget reasons. Present nature conservation policies originating at EU level are having the effect of paralysing irrigation projects in large areas of Aragon, leading to the decided rejection of those policies by the great majority of the inhabitants of the areas affected, who feel that environmental protection is being given priority over allowing the farmers of Aragon the means of survival