MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Possible breaches of NextGenerationEU criteria with regard to projects in Aragon (Spain) – E-001928/2024

Source: European Parliament

Question for written answer  E-001928/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Estrella Galán (The Left)

Spain’s Ministry of Industry has allocated upwards of EUR 35 million in European funds to a series of projects in the Autonomous Community of Aragon which, besides failing to comply with the obligatory deadlines for implementation (50 % by December 2024), may be in violation of criteria 1, 2, 3 and 6: mitigating and adapting to climate change; sustainably using and protecting water and marine resources; and protecting and restoring biodiversity and ecosystems.

At issue are (i) the construction projects for new ski lifts in Astun-Candanchú and Benasque-Cerler (which would entail tree felling and severe ramifications on biodiversity and ecosystems); (ii) the construction of a golf course in Panticosa (which would require a large quantity of water and have a devastating impacton water resources, making the recovery of biodiversity difficult); and (iii) the construction of car parks in Sallent de Gállego and Formigal (which would promote the use of private vehicles).

  • 1.Does the Commission intend to investigate the infringement of the basic NextGenerationEU criteria and objectives which may result from the use of EU funds to finance these projects?
  • 2.Given that currently only 1 % of the projects has been completed and, as the Autonomous Community of Aragon itself confesses, 50 % of those projects will not have been completed by the end of December, can the Commission clarify whether it has relaxed the implementation dates for these projects?

Submitted: 2.10.2024

Last updated: 9 October 2024

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