WRITTEN QUESTION E-0300/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(13 February 2001)

Subject: Compliance with the Habitats and Wild Birds Directives during the organisation of the Olympic Games in Greece

Greece is planning to undertake infrastructure works at Skhinias in connection with the 2004 Olympic Games. This wetland area in the Bay of Marathon is covered by the Habitats and the Wild Birds Directives. Skhinias is a unique biotope with 176 species of bird, rare species of fish and an interesting flora including stone pines.

A presidential decree recognises Skhinias as a natural park but leaves the way open for the construction of hotels, parking areas, taverns and other infrastructure. The use of pesticides is also permitted. The Minister for the Environment and Employment, Kostas Laliotis, wishes to construct a hotel and excavate two concrete lakes two kilometres wide and two and a half kilometres long.

In Autumn 2000 the WWF protested to the Commission about the Greek infrastructure plans. If irreparable damage in Skhinias is to be prevented action must be taken quickly.

1. Has the Commission pointed out to the Greek government that the planned infrastructure works will cause irreparable damage to the unique Skhinias wetland area and conflict with the Community's Habitats and Wild Birds Directives? If so, has the Greek government agreed not to carry out the planned infrastructure works at Skhinias? If not, will the Commission again point out to the Greek government that the planned infrastructure operations conflict with the Community's Habitats and Wild Birds Directives and should be halted?

2. Has the Commission blocked allocations from the Regional Funds for the 2004 Olympic Games given the incompatibility of the planned infrastructure works at Skhinias with the Community's Wildlife and Habitats Directives? If not, is it still prepared to block such allocations for the 2004 Olympic Games given the incompatibility of the planned infrastructure works with the Community's Habitats and Wild Birds Directives?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0300/01 and E-0332/01 given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 2001)

As mentioned by the Honourable Member, the Commission has already registered a formal complaint related to the proposed construction of a canoeing and rowing centre in Skhinias. In the framework of the investigation of the case, the Commission has sent a letter to the Greek authorities drawing attention to the value of the site for nature conservation and requesting information concerning any intended designation of the site for the Natura 2000 network by virtue of the Habitats Directive, Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(1). Commission officials discussed the case with the Greek authorities at a meeting in Athens on 13 and 14 December 2000.

The Commission is currently investigating the file, taking into account the conservation value of the site, and the elements supplied by the Greek authorities in their reply. A clear position on this issue is expected very soon.

With regard to the question of funding, the Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that the Greek authorities have not requested any Community financing for the above-mentioned project.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.