WRITTEN QUESTION E-1073/01

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) and Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 April 2001)

Subject: Construction of Olympic Games facilities at Marathon - Schinias

The Academy of Athens has announced that it has requested the personal intervention of the Greek Prime Minister, Mr Simitis, to prevent the construction of an Olympic rowing centre at the historic site of Marathon. The Academy reports that it had already written to Mr Simitis on 26 January 2001 explaining the reasons why construction of the rowing centre in the Marathon - Schinias area should be cancelled. The historic site is under threat of destruction, while the same fate awaits the ecologically fragile area of the Schinias wetland, which has also been pointed out by a number of environmental organisations, including WWF-Hellas.

What is the Commission's official position on this entire matter and in what way might it intercede with the Greek Government, which appears determined to proceed with the project, despite protests from within Greece and abroad, as evidenced by the statement issued by Cambridge University's Department of Classical Studies calling for respect for the remains of mankind's past in this particularly fragile area?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(22 June 2001)

As concerns the environmental aspects of the project raised by the Honourable Members, a complaint has been lodged with the Commission dealing in particular with the implications of the planned rowing and canoeing centre on the conservation interests of the Schinias area.

The Schinias marshes have not been proposed by Greece under either the Birds Directive (Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds(1)) or the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(2)), for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network. However, given that the site has been included in relevant scientific reference lists, the Commission has contacted the Greek authorities in the context of the aforementioned complaint, asking for specific information on this planned Olympic project. The Commission seeks to ensure the compatibility of the planned development with the conservation value of the site.

In their reply to Commission enquiries, the Greek authorities stress the overall beneficial effects of the planned development, associated with the establishment of a national park on the area. Further to this reply and in the light of additional information brought to Commission's attention, the Commission recently carried out an on-the-spot appraisal of the situation. Information gathered is currently under evaluation in order for the Commission to decide on the follow-up to be given to this matter.

As regards the cultural aspects of this site, Article 151 (former Article 128) of the EC Treaty confers powers upon it to encourage the Member States to cooperate on cultural matters. The question raised by the Honourable Member does not fall within the Community's powers but, owing to the principle of subsidiarity, falls solely within the powers of the Member State (concerned).

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.