29/08/2003 (Agence Europe) - From Italy, Gianni Pittella, Democratici di sinistra, affirms that the chair of the High Level Group on transeuropean networks Karel Van Miert said there was no certainty about making the bridge over the Messina Straits, recently included in the list of priority projects. During a meeting between members of the EP Socialist Group and the former European Transport (and competition) Commissioner, another DS MEP, Claudio Fava raised the problem of economic and security feasibility of such a project in one of the areas with highest seismic risk in Europe. According to the press release, Mr Van Miert replied that there was no certainty and that they had not had the time to make the necessary verifications in Brussels. Mr Van Miert said in the press release that they had put their trust in the government and its commitment to meticulously respect the construction deadlines. He said it is clear that, if the best conditions for environmental impact are not assured, Europe will not give a single euro to Italy, as the environmental sustainability of the projects remains one of the conditions that cannot be relinquished.