WRITTEN QUESTION E-1781/00

by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(8 June 2000)

Subject: Protection of the Akamas region in Cyprus

Akamas is a unique area of natural beauty and biodiversity, home to many endemic species of flora and fauna, located in the western part of Cyprus. International efforts have been undertaken to promote nature protection in this area such as the World Bank's 1995 Strategic Management Plan for the conservation of Akamas as a Biosphere Reserve according to the IUCN regulations including a National Park (which was funded by the European Union) as well as the Council of Europe's 1995 Recommendation No 63 based on the Bern Convention. Despite these efforts, the Government of Cyprus is currently planning concessions in the form of development relaxation so as to open the Akamas for large-scale tourist development and infrastructure projects incompatible with the protection area.

As the Commission pointed out in its 1999 Regular Report on Cyprus's Progress towards Accession, the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive has still not been transposed in Cyprus. The same applies to the transposition of the Habitat and Birds Directives, with particular regard to management issues and the provision of a comprehensive system for the designation of special protection areas, even though the transposition and implementation of the Union's environmental legislation is a fundamental condition for Cyprus's accession to the EU on which negotiations between the EU and Cyprus have already been opened.

Has the Commission taken any measures to dissuade the Government of Cyprus from implementing its plans for the Akamas area, and has it explained to the Cypriot authorities that these plans contradict Cyprus's full acceptance of the Union's legislation with a view to accession, with particular regard to the EIA and the Habitat Directive? Has the Commission called upon the Government of Cyprus to postpone any development plans and projects in Akamas until such plans are subjected to an EIA in accordance with Community legislation? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(11 July 2000)

The Commission follows closely nature protection in Cyprus, including the issue of the Akamas region, through the various means at its disposal, in the chapter of the accession negotiations relating to the environment, in technical contacts with the Cypriot authorities on environmental questions, and through the various pre-accession instruments, such as the regular report on progress towards accession.

As for the environmental impact assessment directive, Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment(1), it is correct that it has not yet been transposed in Cyprus, but the authorities have brought forward

their plans in order to complete transposition of the directive during the year 2000. Furthermore, the candidate countries have been reminded of the Council conclusions of 24 September 1998 on accession strategies for the environment, in which it was stated that all new investment should comply with the environmental acquis.

As for 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), Cyprus is aware that it has to propose a list of sites to be designated as special areas of conservation for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network. A project under the LIFE programme, which is assisting the Cypriot authorities in this task, has identified the Akamas region in an indicative list of such areas.

The Commission has not been informed by the Cypriot authorities of any plans to relax nature conservation measures in the Akamas region in order to allow large-scale tourist development and infrastructure projects. However, through the means indicated above, and in particular the consultations on nature protection, the Commission will continue to monitor Cyprus' commitment to the progressive introduction and implementation of the acquis in this area.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.