WRITTEN QUESTION E-3676/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(17 January 2002)

Subject: Bypass in the region of Pirgoi Thermis, Lesbos

In the rural area of Pirgoi Thermis, a new bypass has been opened which links to the old road by means of a vast interchange built by improvising a succession of changes to the original plans. The bypass and the interchange involved huge excavation of earth which was removed by thousands of trucks and then replaced with soil brought in from distant sites. Furthermore, the interchange and the bypass have been elevated up to 1,60 metres above natural ground level and the link with and extension of the old road by erecting walls which also required further expensive landfill. The construction is reminiscent of a fortress wall and is the butt of the local community's scorn and indignation. Finally, the general destruction of the natural, historical and architectural environment gives the impression of a completely arbitrary and improvised work of construction.

Since these works are financed by the Community Support Framework, will the Commission say:

1. whether the vast expense of these works is justified by the actual need for a road link in the area,

2. whether the alterations to the original plans and (probably arbitrary) departures therefrom have been checked and approved,

3. whether a final environmental impact assessment has been carried out with provision for lighting and draining of rainwater after the construction of the fortress wall-cum-road,

4. whether the Commission has been kept informed from the start through to completion of the works on compliance with national and Community law, and

5. whether there will be on-site inspection of the works before they are taken over by the client?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2002)

The project mentioned by the Honourable Member was co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the Community Initiative (CI) Interreg, during the programming period 1994-1999.

According to the information received from the Greek authorities:

1. the proposal for this project, including its physical and economic scope and information regarding the approval by the Greek authorities of all necessary studies (such as the environmental impact assessment study and the approved environmental terms), were submitted, as provided by procedural rules, to the CI Monitoring Committee.

Following an appropriate examination during which, among others things, the cost of the project and the development needs of the area of the project were examined, the proposal was adopted officially by the Monitoring Committee during its 1st meeting, on 8 December 1995, with a budget of 5 664 million. During its 3rd meeting, on 15 September 1999, following a proper hearing and examination of all facts and supporting documents, the Monitoring Committee approved the final budget of the project at the amount of 7 769 million. The physical scope of the project was not reduced. The Community share of the total cost of the project is 75 %.

2. A whole series of controls was carried out by the Greek authorities, as provided for by the Greek legislation on public works.

3. The environmental studies and environmental terms are not examined by the Commission, unless a specific reason occurs (i.e. complaint). Thus in this particular case, no examination of the details of the environmental study has been carried out, nor has a supplementary environmental study been provided. If evidence is brought of non compliance with the environmental terms or of insufficient environmental protection further to expansion of the project, the Commission could examine the case in more detail.

4. The Commission was a member and participated in the works of the CI Monitoring Committee. During the official meetings, it received information on the progress of the implementation of the projects. According to this information, the preparation and execution of this project complied with Community and national law.

5. Any control before the final delivery of the project is the competence and responsibility of the national authorities. Financial and on-site controls by the Community of co-financed projects are being performed through procedures provided for in the Structural Funds' Regulations(1).

(1) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2082/93 of 20 July 1993 amending Regulation (EEC) No 4253/88 laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards co-ordination of the activities of the different Structural Funds between themselves and with the operations of the European Investment Bank and the other existing financial instruments, OJ L 193, 31.7.1993; Council Regulation (EEC) No 2083/93 of 20 July 1993 amending Regulation (EEC) No 4254/88 laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards the European Regional Development Fund, OJ L 193, 31.7.1993.