Protection of World Heritage in Malta

7.7.2015

Question for written answer E-010947-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Helga Trüpel (Verts/ALE) , Ska Keller (Verts/ALE)

The Maltese Government is building a wharf for its navy in front of the Unesco World Heritage site of Valletta. According to local media, EU money is being used as well: ‘The concrete structures and adjacent buildings form part of a EUR 4.8 million project part-funded by the EU to upgrade the army’s maritime base at Haywharf that also includes the extension of the quay. The vertical structures will support new lifting equipment able to pluck vessels from the water and put them back in.’ (Times of Malta).

Can the Commission confirm that EU funds are being used for this project?

If so, how much money is the EU providing, and under which budget headline?

How does the Commission view the compliance of this building project with the Unesco Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, to which the EU and all Member States are party, as well as with Article 3 TEU, namely: ‘It shall respect its rich cultural and linguistic diversity, and shall ensure that Europe’s cultural heritage is safeguarded and enhanced.’?