WRITTEN QUESTION E-2371/99

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Assistance to Greece following natural disasters

In view of:

- the recent disaster (8 November 1999), affecting mainly the southern Peloponnese, western Attiki and the prefecture of Magnisia, and the damage it caused,

- unauthorised building practices, together with poor and substandard workmanship (for example on the national road link between Athens and Korinthos), and the altering of water courses (for example the Kifisos) which form ecosystems, together with the major fire which destroyed the Penteli forests in 1998, all of which have had a disastrous impact on water drainage systems.

1. How many flood protection measures in Greece have received funding from the Commission? Which if any of these projects have been completed and if so when? Was Commission funding officially earmarked for afforestation utilised and where? Have the Greek authorities submitted any proposals to improve the state of the river Kifisos which overflowed in 1997, as requested by the Commissioner responsible for the environment in response to my written question (E-0188/97)(1)?

2. Could the Commission provide indirect aid for infrastructural measures regarded as eligible for funding by the local authorities, giving priority to areas affected by the recent bad weather?

(1) OJ C 217, 17.7.1997, p. 122.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(2 February 2000)

The Commission part-financed a whole series of flood protection measures as part of the various regional operational programmes under the second Community Support Framework (CSF) for the period 1994 to 1999. Since September 1999, the project to alter the course of the Sarrantapotamos torrent has been part-financed from the Cohesion Fund. The Community aid amounts to 2,48 million, 80 % of the total cost. It is also worth pointing out that, in almost all the projects approved concerning sewerage, the Cohesion Fund part-finances rainwater drainage systems, thus contributing to flood prevention.

As far as forests are concerned, the Cohesion Fund has part-financed (85 %) three projects, the total cost of which amounts to 14,21 million. The work has already been completed and consisted of technical and forestry work to protect mountain soil against erosion; reafforestation; construction of firebreaks,

reservoirs and waterworks and forest fire prevention work (roads acting as firebreaks, fire stations, observation posts, supplies and equipment and reservoirs). The Cohesion Fund is also part-financing (85 %) the project for the protection of the natural and forest environment in Greece, costing a total of 37 million. Part-financing is going on fire-fighting measures (provision of the necessary equipment) and constructing, improving and equipping fire stations, as well as the construction of 150 reservoirs.

Under Council Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 of 23 July 1992 on protection of the Community's forests against fire(1), between 1992 and 1999 the Commission also part-financed (50 %) 86 projects (assistance totalling 19,85 million). These projects relate mainly to fire prevention work in forests, protective infrastructures such as tracks, firebreaks and water points, plus monitoring, involving, for instance, the construction of lookout towers and the training of specialist personnel. A regionalised information system has also been set up as an important tool for fire prevention and for analysing needs.

With regard to reafforestation, public expenditure totalling 298,7 million, including part-financing from the Guidance Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund amounting to 224 million, has been allocated to the forestry sector under the second CSF and Community initiatives. This amount has practically all been committed and relates to a large number of forestry sites all over Greece, covering a wide range of activities such as protection, replanting and forestry development. The above figures show the intensity of the effort to assist the forestry sector in Greece.

As regards plans to improve the state of the Kifisos, the Commission has on several occasions sought information from the Greek authorities about the pollution problem. The matter was discussed at the meeting on 9 and 10 December 1999 with the Greek authorities, who referred to the measures and checks already carried out. The Commission was, however, given no information about alterations to watercourses and will contact the Greek authorities again to obtain all the relevant details.

The European Regional Development Fund could in principle part-finance eligible measures in the areas affected by flooding, if the Greek authorities submitted an application to that end.

(1) OJ L 217, 31.7.1992.