WRITTEN QUESTION E-0181/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(11 February 1999)

Subject: Suspension of funding for Mount Athos

Despite the Commission's decision to provide funding under the Raphael programme (Action 1) for important monuments, such as the monasteries on Mount Athos, the Acropolis and Santiago de Compostela, Mount Athos was excluded from funding under DG X's 1998 programmes.

Will the Commission say:

1. On the basis of which criteria was Mount Athos excluded from funding for 1998, given that the 1998 budget contains a specific reference to the continuation of funding for Mount Athos based on a EP resolution on this matter?

2. Which projects were funded in 1998 under the Raphael programme?

3. As regards the Acropolis, will funding be maintained over the next few years to continue the projects which - according to the opinions of international experts and a 1992 report of experts drawn up at the Commission's behest which expresses the view that funding should continue until work is completed - are progressing satisfactorily?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(23 March 1999)

The Commission had the intention of supporting important monuments such as the monasteries of Mount Athos, the Acropolis of Athens and the monuments of Santiago de Compostelle in the framework of Action 1 of the Raphael programme for 1998, particularly in the context of its commitment to "European heritage laboratories".

According to the procedure envisaged for this action, projects were submitted by the national authorities of Member States eligible for participation in the Raphael programme. In this context, the Commission received 12 projects emanating from ten national authorities (one from Belgium, two from Greece (Acropolis and Mount Athos), one from Spain, one from France, two from Ireland, one from Italy one from Finland, one from Sweden, one from the United Kingdom, and one from Norway).

In the light of the interest expressed in all of the submissions as well as the very limited budgetary resources allocated for this action, the Commission, having taken the advice of a group of independent experts, could propose the selection of only one project from each country. This proposal was accepted and approved by the Raphael committee, which consists of official representatives of the countries eligible for participation in the Raphael programme. The ten projects are: Belgium - the site of the battle of Waterloo, Greece - the Acropolis of Athens, Spain - the Camino de Santiago, France - "AREA": Safeguard of archives in European archaeology, Ireland - an archeological park in Boyne Valley, Italy - the tower of Pisa, Finland - the development of long-term durability of marble coated facades, Sweden - "Tanum" a site with prehistoric engravings, United Kingdom - the proactive earthwork management of Hadrian's Wall, and Norway - Nidaros Cathedral.

Given their religious and cultural importance, the Commission will certainly carefully consider the prospect of support for the monasteries of Mount Athos, provided that the Greek authorities submit them in the framework of Raphael 1999 and under the "European heritage laboratories" action.

Regarding the conservation and restoration project of the Acropolis monuments, the Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that, its support for this year can be only envisaged within the framework of the European heritage laboratories of the Raphael programme for 1999, provided it is submitted by the Greek authorities. As for the Commission's continued support for the Acropolis after 1999, this will depend upon the rules and conditions of the Culture 2000 framework programme, which is still under consideration for adoption by the European Parliament and Council.