WRITTEN QUESTION E-1810/99

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(12 October 1999)

Subject: Protection of the conservation area of Kyriotissa

The area of Kyriotissa in Veroia has been declared by the Ministry of Culture and the Fourth Inspectorate of Monuments (Greek Government Gazette 468B, 9 May 1980) as an historic site owing to its unique Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches and the traditional architecture of its houses.

However, despite the fact that the area has been designated an historic site and the Local Archaeological Council has prohibited any activities which are not considered to be compatible with its status, licences have been granted in Kyriotissa to operate businesses such as bars, clubs and restaurants. I have, moreover, received complaints from the inhabitants of Kyriotissa protesting against the disruption of the conservation area (noise pollution, refuse, car-parking on pavements, establishments open in the early hours of the night), resources for the improvement of which were made available from the Second CSF.

Given that the Commission has also partly funded the project, will it say:

1. whether it intends to examine whether there has been any change in the conditions of the contract under which the Ministry of the Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works incorporated the project for the protection and development of the Barbouta-Kyriotissa conservation area in the CSF and, in particular, measure 4.3 of the Operational Programme for the environment;

2. in what way it will intercede with the Greek authorities to persuade them not to grant further licences for the operation of such businesses and to review existing licences with a view to designating the area as residential only, and

3. what its views are of the possibility of support, through the Third CSF, for initiatives to improve the area further, including restoring its houses in their original style?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(22 November 1999)

The Community part-financed a project aiming to protect and restore the old listed districts of Kyriotissa and Barbouta in Veria (Northern Greece), under the Environment operational programme (OP) of the Community support framework (CSF) for Greece for the current programming period (1994-1999).

The project, which has now been finished, consisted of restoring the declining urban environment, mainly by resurfacing roads using cobblestones and slate, planting trees, improving small squares, lighting streets and similar measures. The total cost was about 1,2 million.

1. In most cases, methods of implementation are the subject of an agreement between local and national authorities, the latter represented in this case by the Department of the Environment. The Commission does not intervene in decisions on content, provided Community and national law are respected. There is no direct causal link between this agreement and inclusion of the project in the OP.

2. The granting of licences for commercial establishments is a matter solely for the national authorities.

3. As the draft CSF for Greece for the next programming period (2000-2006) has only just reached the Commission, it is too soon to say which projects it will comprise.