WRITTEN QUESTION E-0571/03

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 February 2003)

Subject: National park in the Nestos Delta

As the Association for the Protection of the Ecological Development of the Nestos has pointed out, six years after its foundation (Greek Government Gazette 854/16.9.96), the National Park of Macedonia and Thrace is still not operational, while the wetlands it comprises are at serious risk. The national park includes the wider area of the Nestos Delta, Lakes Vistonida and Ismarida, the salt marshes at Almyra, Lafri and Lafrouda and the intervening coastal areas. Also within its boundaries are seven areas included in the Natura 2000 network. However, despite the announcement that a national park was to be set up under the management of a single body, no measures have been taken towards implementation of the project and, moreover, recent years have seen a significant deterioration in the ecosystem owing to the installation of fuel storage tanks.

Can the Commission give assurances that it will intercede with the Greek authorities to reach an agreement based on the sound and balanced management of this site of European importance, within the meaning of Directive 92/43/EEC(1), and does it possibly intend to co-finance the creation of this national park?

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2003)

The common ministerial decision 5796/1999 designating the zones of the delta of Nestos, the lake Vistonida and the lake Ismarida as a National Park is no longer in force. According to the Greek law, the necessary legal framework aiming at the protection of the sites and complying with the objectives set out in Directives 79/409/EEC(1) and 92/43/EEC(2) is composed of an approved management plan (specific environmental study), a Presidential Decree and a Management Body.

Currently, the Commission is assessing several complaints related to the deterioration of the Delta of Nestos, principally due to the absence of an appropriate legal framework for its protection and its conservation. The Commission will not hesitate to take all the appropriate measures, including the initiation of an infringement procedure under Article 226 of the EC Treaty, in order to ensure the correct application of Community environmental law.

According to available information, the Greek authorities have adopted Law 3044/2002 which provides for the establishment of 25 management bodies for a number of sites that Greece has already proposed for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network under Directive 92/43/EEC. According to the provisions of this Law, a management body for the Delta of Nestos-Vistonida-Ismarida area has to be established. The creation and full operation of all the 25 management bodies has not yet been finalised. The full establishment of these management bodies is expected to contribute towards the conservation objectives for these areas, the implementation of the approved management plans for the areas and their efficient protection.

The Commission confirms that there is a possibility of financial assistance to Greece through the Structural Funds for the establishment of all these 25 management bodies. The above action is foreseen in the Greek Operational Plan for the Environment 2000-2006 (Measure 8,1). On the other hand, actions aiming at Biotope protection are foreseen in the framework of the Greek Regional Operational Programmes of the same period. The Commission would like to assure the Honourable Member that it will continue to monitor the progress to be achieved on the protection of the Greek Biotopes and on the establishment of the Management Bodies for the Natura 2000 sites in Greece.

(1) Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(2) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.