15el Periòdic d’Andorrawww.elperiodic.ad DIMARTS, 10 DE JULIOL DEL 2018

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The government expects to be in parliamentary process this summer, a bill setting a CO2 rate for all hydrocarbon

emitters. Although he does not want to give more details in this regard, the Minister of the Environment, Sílvia Calvó, said that the economic amount of the rate would be related to the level of emissions in each cate-gory, although in any case, it will be 100% finalist and the proceeds will go only to the green fund of the Ener-gy Transition and Climate Change Act and to its projects.

«For years we have had a vehicle rate that is associated with grams of CO2 and corresponds to the rate of car ownership paid by each per-son who has a vehicle in the country. This new law, on the other hand, will apply to all hydrocarbon emitters and we intend that one party has an effect on suppliers and the other on the user, «said Calvó yesterday in the presentation of the lines in the mi-nistry of Environment Commission.

ECOLOGICAL TOURISM RATE / As for anot-her rate, the tourist tax, the Social Democratic Party (PS) counsellor Ro-ger Padreny recalled that among the different proposals that the groups offered for the final elaboration of the Declaration of Climate Emergen-cy , their group opted for an «ecotax» that went directly to the green back-ground. As Padreny noted, none of the three executive parties believed it to be a «priority» and they rejected it. Last week, however, Tourism Mi-nister Veronica Canals hinted that a tourist tax was being set up and Pa-dreny asked Calvó if part of those be-nefits could be environmental. Cal-vó did not rule out that «some part will have an impact», emphasizing that, for the moment, the only rate that will be 100% allocated to the gre-en fund will be the future of CO2.

NEW TRIAGE CENTER / Among the main objectives to be achieved throug-hout this legislature, the Ministry of Environment has also imposed the creation of the Law of Circular Eco-

Tax on CO2 emissionsSTRATEGIC LINES PRESENTED IN COMMITTEE

Minister Sílvia Calvó does not specify if it will apply only to vehicles or also in other areas

The Government anticipates that the rate on hydrocarbons will have an effect on suppliers and citizens

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MARICEL BLANCH

33 Minister Calvó before the commission, yesterday.

Sílvia Calvó acknowledged yes-terday that it is «obvious» that the construction of an airport in Andorra «will have an environ-mental impact». However she requested to wait for the Cham-ber of Commerce’s final reports to determine the viability of this infrastructure: «I have always told the Government that envi-ronmental elements are very im-portant. We are waiting to rece-ive the relevant information ‘’, for further evaluation, said Calvó in relation to a question asked by PS counsellor Roger Padreny du-ring the Environment Commissi-on held yesterday.

Another Social Democratic counsellor, Joaquim Miró, as-ked Calvó if the creation of a pro-ject such as the construction of a national airport should be dri-ven by the Government and not by the Chamber, because, at the end, it would require direct in-volvement of the administration. The Minister merely responded that the Government listens to the proposals of the society and that the House reflects the repre-sentation of the business fabric of the country. However, she remin-ded that the future airport would concern not only the Executive, but also the Municipality of En-camp, since it is expected that its construction will materialize in Grau Roig. H

Calvó admits the environmental impact of the airport

EL PERIÒDICANDORRA LA VELLA

33 The airport of Andorra-La Seu.

MARICEL BLANCH

Calvó says that architects and engineers have agreed on the energy label

33 Following the uproar caused by architects and engineers over the economic losses that would be posed by the implementati-on of the mandatory green label for buildings, the Minister of the Environment, Sílvia Calvó, assu-red yesterday that, before ma-king it legal, consensus was reac-hed with all stakeholders. «I don’t know if the numbers come out or not. What I do know is that [the law] was endorsed by the College of Engineers and the College of Architects, «said Calvó. She also said that the Executive is working

on a computer tool to help deve-lop this tag and, therefore, lower its price, set at a cap of 240 euros. At the moment, the green label is only required in the transaction of buying and selling of homes, but from 2023 it will also be in the ren-tal contracts. «For the sale of a flat 240 euros have no impact but on a rental, yes. In three years we ha-ve time to make the process ea-sier and the calculations easier, «so we» hope to lower the thres-hold. Although it affects the ren-ted flats, those who bear the cost will own the real estate.

nomy, in accordance with Europe-an standards. In this regard, the Mi-nister said that «before the end of the year» a new packaging triage center will be opened in Sant Julià, which will improve the current faciliti-es and facilitate the work of its em-ployees. Calvó hopes that this new space will help eradicate the «urban legend» that states that «in Andor-ra nothing is recycled and everythi-ng is burned at the Waste Manage-ment Center (CTR)». According to the person in charge of the Environment portfolio, this rumour is born becau-se «at the moment the triage center is next to the CTR and people see the yellow truck go up there and auto-matically think that everything is mixed up later, but it is not, it is recy-cled correctly, «said Sílvia Calvó du-ring the commission. H

el Periòdic d’Andorra16 el Periòdic Newswww.elperiodic.ad FRIDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2020

The reconstruction of the Portalada area will cost al-most five million euros. The Executive plans to ad-

vance 4.4 million this year to car-ry out the final anchor work and the construction of a 5- to 9-me-ter screen wall, as well as to stabi-lize the northern slope with a bre-akwater. As spokesman Eric Jover said yesterday in a press conferen-ce after the Cabinet, «of these 4.4 million, 500,000 euros were inves-ted in the first actions taken when the collapse was produced. « The total cost would have to be added to the indirect costs of the hours spent by the security forces and the emergency device that has re-mained operational since August 10, and which would not have yet been counted.

Jover said that the Executive in-tends to award the works «before the 2020 budget is approved.» It is anticipated that the works of the company that wins the public ten-der should not exceed 12 months. The Government will accept pro-posals until March 19.

LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY / The spokes-man said that in order to recover the public money invested in fi-xing the Portal, from now on the insurer will be in charge of identi-fying those responsible for the ac-cident. In this way, Jover wanted to make it clear that any judicial ac-tion taken by the insurer will not be accompanied by the Executive. «We leave it to the insurer. We ha-ve focused on prevention, «he said.

SFGA/CESTEVE

33 Minister Spokesman Eric Jover at a press conference after the Cabinet yesterday.

The Government advances 4.4 million to rebuild the PortaladaThe Executive leaves the case to the insurer and hopes to recover the investment made later

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COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

MARICEL BLANCH

33 The emergency service of Meritxell Hospital.

A bakery outbreak infected 72 people and 21 were under suspicion

To the alarm for coronovirus Co-vid19, the Government adds anot-her concern. Spokesman Minis-ter Eric Jover confirmed yesterday that cases of mumps (or parotidi-tis in its scientific name) have been «significantly higher than in previ-ous years» since the beginning of 2020. Currently, according to the Executive, the 93 cases under sus-picion, 72 would be confirmed. Jo-

ver said the figure is ̀ ` significant-ly higher ‘’ compared to 20 cases from last year or 31 from 2018.To be more precise, the number of ca-ses transmitted in two months is four times more than in 2019.

WITHOUT COMMON ORIGIN / Despite as-serting that «protocols ensure the proper functioning of the preventi-on of this disease», the spokesman was not able to identify a specific cause that justifies the significant increase in cases. «There has been no particular focus,» Jover said.

The spokesman said that they have more than one case registe-red in the same company and in

each case, «a policy of staff revac-cination is proposed because the vaccine has a memory effect that dilutes over time and what we do is provide a measure for our body to fight the disease with the sligh-test possible effects if we become infected. ” The Government recom-mends isolating the person who may be incubating the cookies to prevent the virus from spreading. Jover did not want to confirm or deny if several officials in the same department suffered from paroti-ditis or are being discharged be-cause of the disease, which is com-mon among children but can oc-cur at any age. H

There are four times more cases this year than in 2019

EL PERIÒDICANDORRA LA VELLA

Cleaning at the French school of Ordino

The request of the CEA and the USDA accepted

The Government closes ranks with Rodríguez

In the coming weeks, intensi-ve cleaning of the ventilation systems of the French School of Ordino, which is affected by the hives outbreak, will be perfor-med and the premises will be re-analysed. If the tests are negati-ve, access to the restricted class-rooms will be reopened.

The Executive will amend the La-bor Decree on Constitution Day so that workers can choose the compensatory holiday in exchan-ge for going to work on March 14, in case the company works. It was a request that was made jointly by the employer and the USDA for the first time.

As a result of the resignation of Cristina Rodríguez, chair of the Unesco commission, Minister Jover said that they respect their decision and find it «understan-dable, in the face of a media re-action». Rodriguez’s hiring was controversial over the selection process followed.

FONTANEDA HIGHWAY / On the other hand, Jover also announced that the Government will enable an alternative crossing on the Fonta-neda road to avoid a section of the road that is damaged. Although the ownership of the road is from the Comú de Sant Julià de Lòria, it is the Executive who must ta-ke care of its maintenance, after

a sudden deterioration of the ro-ad has been detected in recent we-eks. The works will be carried out directly and immediately, which is expected to begin next Monday and will last three weeks. It is in-tended to build a section about 80 meters long and 4 meters wide next to the current road to allow vehicles. H

The works are expected to be awarded before budget approval and completed within one year

17el Periòdic d’Andorrael Periòdic News www.elperiodic.ad 17FRIDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2020

EL PERIÒDIC

33 A brochure on gender-based violence, made by the Government.

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WOMEN’S RIGHTS

Spokesman Minister Eric Jover left the door open today to compensate the victims of gender violen-

ce unpaid by the convicted ag-gressors. In a press conference af-ter the Cabinet, the Executive’s spokesman commented that the legal system had not described or thought about compensation for Victims of Gender Violence, ad-ding that «they should to develop different legislative changes that allow [...] it ». In any case, Jover sta-ted that he «knows that the res-ponsible ministry is making the-se proposed changes and will be submitted in the coming mont-hs.»

This occurs while a delegati-on of the Council of Europe’s ex-pert group on combating violen-ce against women and domestic violence (Grevio) is present in the Principality to learn about the ac-tions and progress made in Gover-nment term in this field between 2014 and 2017. Specifically, the group of experts met yesterday with the professionals of the dif-ferent departments of the Gover-nment involved in the preventi-on, detection and intervention in cases of gender and domestic vio-lence, such as the Equality Policy area. Grevio will continue his vi-sit today with meetings with ot-

The government is examining the coverage of unpaid compensations for gender-based violenceThe proposals will be presented in the coming months

EL PERIÒDICESCALDES-ENGORDANY

The capital’s heat network adds 60 more homes

Three new buildings, with a total of about sixty houses, recently signed contracts to join the Andorra la Ve-lla heating network which is under development. The new buildings joi-ned The White Angel, which was the first private client to hire this new, cleaner and more sustainable hot water system, and the community’s parish buildings, which already ha-ve the Serradells Sports Center. as the first building in the parish of An-

dorra la Vella that was supplied with this system.

The capital’s heat network sup-plies heating and hot water from the Waste Treatment Center (CTRASA), which aims to contribute to the fi-nal management of waste, by recy-cling and valorising it, and by using waste heat from waste recovery, which until now has not been used. Therefore, all the thermal energy that is supplied is clean and free of emissions.

In parallel with the construction of the heat network, the commerci-alization of the service is also under-way and FEDA Ecoterm already has a total of 230 homes that signed the contract to connect them to the ne-

twork when it reaches its location.Over the coming months, the he-

ating network will continue to be built and work will be made availa-ble to potential customers for this heating system, which is an alter-native to diesel and electricity. The commitment to cogeneration is a strategic area for FEDA, which th-rough FEDA Ecoterm wants to of-fer a more sustainable heating al-ternative. This centralized heating system is already a reality in Soldeu and with the Comella project it go-es even further thanks to the use of thermal energy that has not been used until now.

The savings in CO2 emissions that will represent the Comella pro-

FEDA Ecoterm offers an alternative system to diesel and electricity

SUSTAINABILITY

EL PERIÒDICESCALDES-ENGORDANY

national conventions that Andor-ra is committed to comply with, beginning with the association agreement with the European Union, in which in almost all are-as we are requested for treatment of specific pieces of information. « Salazar regretted that the Govern-ment did not provide the data on the amounts of the compensati-ons to abused women in the last four years in cases of insolvency of the aggressors to request that the Government act as a last re-sort in case of insolvency of the ag-gressors. H

ARXIU ANA

33 The pipes of the heat network.

ject is estimated at about 6,700 ton-nes of CO2 per year, which is equiva-lent to the emissions of 3,500 vehi-cles per year. Feda Ecoterm is a new

urban heating service that offers better performance, more respect for the environment and at a chea-per price. H

her agents involved in this area, such as the Immigration Service, the SAAS or the Police Corps.

The Grevio is the body charged with assessing the implementati-on of the Council of Europe Con-vention on the Prevention and Fight against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, known as the Istanbul Conventi-on, which came into force in An-dorra on August 2014. At the end of 2018, a panel of experts sent a questionnaire to Andorra and to the other States that ratified the agreement; such as Spain, Portu-gal or Italy; with the aim of having a report on the part of the Gover-nments regarding their actions from 2014 to 2017 to comply with the Istanbul Convention. The Go-vernment handed over this docu-ment to the expert group in Fe-bruary 2019, which also counted on the contributions of the co-untry’s associations to explain their diagnosis and their vision of the situation of women. The ap-proval of the Law for the Elimina-tion of Gender and Domestic Vi-olence 2015 or the protocols for action in cases of gender and do-mestic violence, as well as actions to raise awareness and prevent the Area of Equality Policies. In-deed, the visit that the delegates of the Grevio are currently taking in Andorra is intended to comple-ment the report and, in this way, to update the content described with the actions launched from 2017 to the present.

Judith Salazar, Adviser to the Social Democratic Parliamentary Group, also yesterday asked a seri-

«I know the Ministry is proposing changes and they will be presented in the coming months»

The pieces of information are vitally important for monitoring public policies and conventions»

ERIC JOVER JUDITH SALAZARMINISTRY OF FINANCE COUNCILOR OF THE PS

es of questions to the Government regarding what the reality of the Equality Observatory will be. «The

pieces of information are of vital importance for the monitoring of the public policies and the inter-

el Periòdic d’Andorra18 el Periòdic Newswww.elperiodic.ad FRIDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2020

After concerns rai-sed by the Andor-ran Swimming Fe-deration (FAN) that the works of the Ser-radells could not be completed in time for the Games of the

Small States, which would entail not having an Olympic swimming pool, the Minister of Culture and Sports, Sílvia Riva issued a «peace message» and revealed to EL PERI-ODIC an alternative plan for hos-ting swimming competitions in the Principality.

In this regard, she assured that «the communication with the Co-mú de Andorra la Vella is continuo-us and constant because they send us news that in spite of these inci-dents when following the construc-tion work, they continue thinking and working with the idea that it is possible to hold the swimming competitions in the Serradells. « She therefore revealed the existen-ce of Plan B: «At the last meeting of the Organizing Committee of the Games Board of Trustees, it was no-ted that as work progresses and it

The alternative to the Serradells is to take the swim to Sant Julià or EncampRiva sends a reassurance message and recognizes a plan if the works are not completed on time

OLYMPIC GAMES 3 GAMES OF THE SMALL STATES OF ANDORRA 2021

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TONY LARA

33 Competition in the Encamp swimming pool, where the Games swimming tests could be played.

work and follow it very continuous-ly so that we can immediately know if it is feasible that the tests can be there,» he insisted.

This decision will certainly be controversial because the FAN has repeatedly insisted that the tests have to be in an approved Olym-pic swimming pool of 50 meters. In addition, it would be the first ti-me in the history of this appoint-ment that swimming tests would be done in a short pool. According to Hocine Haciane, a former trai-ner and coach of the entity, «the po-ol would not be approved because the issue is that it has to be eight streets and not six as in Sant Julià i Encamp». He also reminded that «there must be some space for the stands of the public and of the ath-letes.» «Although it is an official competition, the pool must have dimensions that have no other po-ol than the Serradells, they can do it but it will not be approved or appro-ved by FINA,» he warned.

In this regard, he doubted the vi-ability of the competition and ex-

is seen that it cannot be comple-ted. , although the premise is, the-re would be two other Comuns ones that could alternatively host swim-ming tests, «such as Encamp or Sant Julià de Lòria, because» pools could meet the required requirements « .

In this context, Riva clarified that «it will not be the same con-ditions as the Serradells but it will be a pool that would approve the organization of the Games and in this case the Olympic committees will invalidate it». Therefore, accor-ding to the minister, «they could be used.» «I repeat that it is an option B because at the moment, the infor-mation that comes to us from the Comú is that they will intensify the

«At the last meeting of the Organizing Committee it was noted that there were also other Comuns that could host the competition»

«With a 25-meter pool it is impossible to do it , swimming will not be an approved sport. They do not meet the requirements »

Sílvia Riva

Hocine Haciane

MINISTER OF CULTURE AND SPORTS

TECHNICIAN OF THE FAN

plained that «a letter should be sent to the International Olympic Com-mittee and to explain what happe-ned to the pool in Andorra». «These competitions are approved by the international federations of each sport because they are valid to ma-ke minimums, and in this case, in order for them to be so, they must meet certain requirements. Anot-her pool other than the Serradells is unviable, with one of 25 cannot be, «he reiterated and cautioned that in case of doing so,» swimming will not be an approved sport «.

He also reminded that «Andor-ra has an opportunity to look good internationally». «We must not ne-glect the part of tourism that sport can bring. There are many countri-es that bet on sport as a tourism tar-get, Andorra has all the capabiliti-es. This will enlighten our image. It is a good platform to get to know us inside the sport because we train at height, we have a good climate, go-od infrastructure and no pollution. Swimmers are missing out due to lack of facilities, « he concluded. H

Competitions should be held in a short pool, which would mean having to approve them

The government says that national committees would accept the size change of infrastructure