WRITTEN QUESTION E-2416/99 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. EU-Morocco summit.
1. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 219 E/157 (2000/C 219 E/199) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2415/99 by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission (16 December 1999) Subject: The EU and the opening of the Mediterranean Office in MÆlaga The Malaga-based Mediterranean Office of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is scheduled to open on 1 January 2000. Siting the regional headquarters of the IUCN in MÆlaga is a bold gesture deserving of all support, in order to ensure the success of an initiative which will greatly benefit both the MÆlaga area and the EU in general. What is the current position of the EU as such with regard to the forthcoming opening of this office, and what commitment has the Union made to ensuring its success? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (14 January 2000) According to the Commissionís information, the international union for the conservation of nature (IUCN) regional office for the Mediterranean will be set up in Seville, Spain, and not in Malaga. The Commission welcomes this initiative. The opening of this regional office for the Mediterranean can contribute to the promotion of the sustainable development and environmental protection of the region. This is also an important policy objective for the Commission. (2000/C 219 E/200) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2416/99 by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission (16 December 1999) Subject: EU-Morocco summit The accession of Mohammed VI to the Moroccan throne unleashed a wave of national euphoria and raised high hopes as far reaching reforms were implemented. The Eu should seize this historic opportunity to radically revise its approach to Morocco with a view to encouraging further progressive developments with a view to reducing inequalities and strengthening the Unionís southern borders. Does the Commission not believe that it should use its powers of initiative to propose a summit meeting of the appropriate EU and Moroccan authorities to examine the opportunities which the current situation offers? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (5 January 2000) The Commission shares the Honourable Memberís analysis of recent political changes in Morocco and of future relations between Morocco and the Community. C 219 E/158 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 It was in this context that, on 21 October 1999, Mr Abderrahmane Youssoufi, the Moroccan Prime Minister, visited Brussels for a symposium on the common destiny of Morocco and Europe organised by the Euro-Moroccan Friendship Society and supported by the Presidency of the European Parliament. Mr Youssoufi also met the President of the Commission and the Member responsible for external relations who took the opportunity to discuss developing relations between Europe and Morocco in the light of the entry into force of the Association Agreement. The Commission will widen and deepen relations with Morocco under the Euro-Mediterranean partner- ship. (2000/C 219 E/201) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2423/99 by Mauro Nobilia (UEN) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: Waste incineration plant at Battipaglia (Italy) By means of Decree No 27/97 the Region of Campania approved the regional plan for waste disposal, which identifies the industrial development zone of the district of Battipaglia as a suitable location for the construction of a plant designed to produce energy using waste-derived fuel. The zone in question is in the immediate vicinity of the urban centre and is therefore densely populated. The siting of a waste incinerator in the Battipaglia industrial development zone would have serious effects on the area and would lead to a breach of environmental quality standards which are already under threat. In addition, the area is a centre for tourism and agriculture, particularly the dairy industry, and the construction of plant of this kind would seriously jeopardise the whole economic and social balance of the Sele plain. In the light of the above: ü will the Commission ascertain whether the above reports are true? ü will it say whether the construction of a waste incineration plant in the abovementioned area represents a breach of Council directives 89/369/EEC, 89/429/EEC and 94/67/EEC on Community waste management strategy, the Council resolution of 24 February 1997 (97/C 76/01) and the proposal for a Council directive on waste incineration (COM(98) 558), as well as other Community rules on environment protection? ü if so, will it ask the Italian government to find a different and more suitable location for the plant? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (11 January 2000) Council Directives 89/369/EEC of 8 June 1989 on the prevention of air pollution from new municipal waste incineration plants (1), 89/429/EEC of 21 June 1989 on the reduction of air pollution from existing municipal waste-incineration plants (2) and 94/67/EC of 16 December 1994 on the incineration of hazardous waste (3) are of application only with reference to operational installations and, therefore, cannot be considered relevant to this case, since this plant for waste incineration with energy recovery in Battipaglia (Salerno) appears not to have been constructed yet. In addition, the resolutions of the Council and the proposals for directives, quoted by the Honourable Member, do not have legally binding effects in this case