B4-0248, 0252, 0271 and 0315/94

Resolution on the floods in Catalonia

The European Parliament,

A.whereas the recent torrential rains in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands have had disastrous effects, causing eleven deaths and damage estimated at over Ptas 10 000 million as well as destroying power lines and railway tracks, damaging shops, offices and factories and affecting crops,

B.whereas the northern Mediterranean region is facing a serious risk of desertification from the combined effect of the forest fires last summer and the recent torrential rains,

C.whereas the magnitude of the damage done to infrastructures and telecommunications is such that over 100 municipalities in Tarragona and Barcelona provinces have been declared disaster areas,

1.Expresses its deep regret at the loss of human lives and its most sincere sympathy with the relatives of the victims and with all those affected;

2.Calls on the Commission to adopt urgent measures in the form of economic aid for the speedy restoration of infrastructures and communications, the payment of compensation to the persons concerned and the resumption of economic activity by the companies affected;

3.Calls on the Commission to do all in its power, financially and by technical assistance, to help the Generalitat (autonomous Government of Catalonia) and the local authorities to repair the damage;

4.Stresses the need for a general reafforestation policy that will include measures adopted under the common agricultural policy or environmental policy;

5.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Spanish Government and the governments of the autonomous communities concerned.