Brussels, 01/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 1 December, Regional Policy Commissioner Pawe³ Samecki explained to the press the role of the EU with regard to Italy in its fight against organised crime, especially in the Mezzogiorno. €64 million have been invested under EU cohesion policy for the redeployment of assets seized from the mafia between 2007 and 2013. The point of departure, Commissioner Samecki explained, is a pilot project funded by the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund), which has injected €11 million for the conversion of 50 former mafia properties into educational, agri-tourism and other legal business ventures.
“One of the major impediments to economic development in parts of the Mezzogiorno is the all-pervading shadow of organised crime”, said Samecki, saying that its eradication is a precondition for stimulating productivity and attracting maximum investment to southern Italy. The commissioner thus pointed out that the EU is jointly funding a multi-regional programme entitled “Security for development”, with a budget of €1.2 billion covering the period 2007-2013, of which €579 billion is from the ERDF. Its main objective is to strengthen security in Calabria, Campania, Apulia and Sicily. From this total amount, Pawe³ Samecki went on, €91 million (of which €45.5 million is from ERDF) will be devoted to projects to convert former mafia lands and property. A further €36.5 million (€18.25 ERDF) will be channelled for the same purpose through regional programmes.
All conversion initiatives allow for jobs to be generated, mainly for young people, and bring hope to regions that have long been blighted by a high rate of unemployment and crime, the Commission states in a press release. Lucio Guarino, who heads the development and legality association in Sicily, Giovanni Allucci, Managing Director of “Agrorinasce” (Campania), Nicola Izzo, Deputy Head of the Italian Police Force, and Antonio Maruccia, Special Commissioner responsible for managing properties seized from criminal organisations, presented their projects for the re-use of assets seized from criminal “godfathers”: Giovanni Brusca (“Giardino della memoria”, Palermo), Salvatore Riina (“Terre di Corleone”, Palermo), Giovanni Genovese (“Centopassi” winery, Palermo) and Giorgio Marano (“San Marcellino”, Casalesi, Campania). They came to Brussels to explain these projects which are a perfect illustration of the fact that the severe policy of confiscation conducted by the Italian authorities is bearing fruit, both economically and socially. These operations show the local population that it is possible to make business thrive in full legality, Commissioner Samecki said by way of conclusion. (G.B./transl.jl)