WRITTEN QUESTION E-1148/98

by Panayotis Lambrias (PPE) to the Commission

(24 April 1998)

Subject: Pollution of Black Sea

Observers have noted the extremely high level of pollution in the Black Sea which derives from pollution in the surrounding region and from the international rivers which flow into it. This pollution is being carried into the Aegean and Mediterranean.

In the context of the Community's cooperation with third countries and international environmental organizations, will the Commission say:

1. what measures it has taken to establish a framework for cooperation between all parties concerned (states, international bodies, NGOs and industry) in the region, and

2. whether the formation of international and regional environment networks will enhance the prospects of developing an effective environment policy and enforcing environmental legislation?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(15 May 1998)

The main regional network for the protection of the Black Sea is the Black Sea environment programme (BSEP). The Commission has been supporting the establishment and operation of the BSEP since its inception in June 1993. A total of 2.2 MECU from the Phare programme and 6.6 MECU from the Tacis programme have been committed for the support of BSEP related activities. The BSEP has also benefited from the support of the global environment facility of the World Bank and of some Member States.

Wider political cooperation in the context of the Black Sea economic cooperation (BSEC) also provides opportunities for the establishment of networks beneficial to the Black Sea. In its communication to the Council on regional cooperation in the Black Sea of November 1997(1), the Commission stressed the need for further involvement of the Community in the regional cooperation activities in the Black Sea area. The Commission suggested that it would be advisable for the Community to seek observer status in the Black Sea environment council (BSEC). The communication underlined the need for implementation of the Bucharest Convention for the protection of the Black Sea and of the Black Sea strategic action plan of the BSEP adopted in October 1996.

In December 1997 the Commission also sent to the Council a report on regional cooperation in Europe(2). In it the support of networks of regional cooperation such as the BSEC by the Community was suggested as very important in the years to come.

Other networks of cooperation in the Black Sea area include the Black Sea trade and development bank in Thessaloniki, the Black Sea regional energy centre in Sofia and the Black Sea study centre in Athens. Some of these have been receiving Community support.

In addition, the Commission has supported financially the establishment and functioning of the corresponding institutions implementing the international convention for the protection of the Danube River which is the most important source of pollution of the Black Sea.

In conclusion, the Commission has been supporting politically and financially all the international networks and institutions that could have an impact on the environmental situation of the Black Sea. Through the enlargement strategy of the Community the support of the countries of the Black Sea by Phare will continue. It will now be up to these countries to ensure the effectiveness of the functioning of the international networks for safeguarding the environment of the Black Sea.

(1) COM(97) 597 final.

(2) COM(97) 659 final.