OIL EXPLORATION OFF VALENCIA COASTLINE VETOED

Speaking in Aldaia last week, Manuel Chavez, the third Deputy Minister stated that No one is going to get permission to prospect for either gas or petrol off the coasts of the Valencian Community as in order to undertake exploration a special environmental permit would be necessary and this is not going to be forthcoming.

He said No one is going to get neither oil or gas off the coast of the valencian Community and consequently, no one is going to affect one of the main sources of wealth of the Valencian Community which is tourism although he added that the Government had given the companies concerned permission to carry out as series of investigations.

With regard to the competencies over the development of the beach areas, Mr Chavez stated that Andalucia and Catalunia had clauses to that effect in their autonomous statutes, whilst the Valencian Community did not.

He concluded by saying that he was able to stop it happening in Andalucia due to the possible damage it could cause tourism, there was no reason whatsoever why this could not be undertaken in Valencia.