WRITTEN QUESTION E-1967/01

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 July 2001)

Subject: Public works on the River Kravsindon

Further to my questions Nos E-1162/89(1) and E-1835/90(2), I should like to return once more to the subject of the covering of the River Kravsindon. Complaints reveal that the municipality of Volos has declared its intention of building a road for through traffic along the River Kravsindon, thereby creating an internal ring road. Owing to the heavy traffic that the road will attract, a huge area in the centre of the Volos-Nea Ionia conurbation will suffer environmental and social consequences.

Given that the Kravsindon area has received funding from the LIFE programme for its environmental, cultural and social development, will the Commission say whether Community funds will be used to carry out the project and to what extent the works are consistent with Framework Law 1650/86 on the protection of the environment, and with Directive 85/337/EEC(3)?

(1) OJ C 139, 7.6.1990, p. 30.

(2) OJ C 45, 25.2.1991, p. 30.

(3) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 2001)

Under the programmes of the Financial Instrument for the Environment (LIFE), the municipality of Volos-Néa Ionia obtained funding to carry out project 93/GR/4518 to improve and enhance the area bordering the River Kravsindon. This project was successfully completed on 21 May 1997.

With press cuttings and a study to support them, on 6 July 2000 a group of citizens from the region protested against the intention of the municipality of Volos-Néa Ionia to build a ring-road which would be partly financed by funds awarded under the Community support framework (CSF) for the period 2000-2006. As this route would be situated in the area of the LIFE project 93/GR/4518, it would be likely to jeopardise the improvements made by that project and impair the local environment.

According to the information available, the planned route is not part of the projects financed by the CSF in the period 1994-1999. As far as the CSF covering the period 2000-2006 is concerned, the Thessaly regional authorities have not for the time being received any application for co-financing such a project by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Should they receive such an application, it will be assessed in accordance with national and Community legislation in force. It must also be pointed out that conditions of a similar nature for co-financing projects will feature in the evaluation criteria of the operational programmes. These criteria are currently being finalised by the Greek authorities as part of their obligations deriving from Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds(1).

The Commission reacted on 2 August 2000, requesting an explanation from the municipality of Volos-Néa Ionia as a former beneficiary of LIFE programme funds and as the authority instigating the project in question. Although a reminder was forwarded on 22 May 2001, no reply has so far been forthcoming from the municipality concerned. Accordingly, a letter will be addressed to the Greek authorities asking for explanations about the project. When the Commission has received a reply, it will examine whether there is any incompatibility with Community law, particularly Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment(2), and, if necessary, the Commission will initiate an infringement procedure.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (OJ L 73, 14.3.1997).