WRITTEN QUESTION P-3194/01

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 November 2001)

Subject: Thessaloniki underground: information on the outcome of the project and its inclusion in the Third CSF

Once again I would like to put a question on the subject of the Thessaloniki underground, since the Commission has been unable to provide relevant information on the progress of the project, either to the Committee on Petitions, where I raised the issue, or in its answers to my questions, stating on every occasion that the Greek Government, which has not yet submitted the financing plan, was responsible for the project's delay.

With particular reference to the statement in September 2001 by the former Minister for the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works that a bill would be introduced in the Greek Parliament dealing with any modifications to be made to the contract adopted in 1999:

Can the Commission answer the following:

- Has all the requisite information finally been sent by the Greek Government to the Commission and what developments have there been with regard to funding and, more generally, the progress of the project and the removal of legal delays?

- Is the Greek Parliament's readoption of the bill, amending the terms of the contract signed back in 1999, consistent with Community rules?

- Since 16 months have passed since the contract was signed, what extensions have been agreed between the contractor and the Greek State, how many such extensions have there been, have they been notified to the Commission and what is the time-limit on extensions to such an agreement?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(18 December 2001)

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that the Greek government's legal advisers have submitted recent documents on the execution of the project to the Commission. Having examined these documents, the Commission has sent a letter to the Greek authorities seeking clarification on certain points in these documents and on the project in general. Once an answer has been received from the Greek authorities, the Commission will be in a position to propose what action should be taken.

As for funding, the Thessaloniki underground project is one of the priorities of the Main highways, Ports and Urban Development Operational Programme (OP) in the Community Support Framework (CSF) 2000-2006 for Greece (with planned European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) assistance of122 million out of a total cost of657 million). The national authorities have yet to submit a request to the Commission to confirm the level of Community co-funding for this major project, in accordance with Article 26 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds(1). It is clear that compliance with Community legislation is one of the preconditions for ERDF funding of the project in question.

The Honourable Member asks whether the fact that the Greek Parliament will be asked to adopt a law ratifying the modifications to the concession contract violates Community law. On this matter, it should be pointed out that such ratification is not in itself contrary to Community law.

Finally, as regards the provision in the contract for extending the period during which the concessionaire should have signed loan contracts with the banks, the Commission feels that, in the case in question, this does not fall within the scope of Community law.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.