EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/534

(2004/C 78 E/0556)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3379/03

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 November 2003)

Subject: Expansion of petroleum installations in the Ambracian Gulf

Local citizens have complained that plans are going ahead to expand the petroleum installations in the Ambracian Gulf. This marine environment with its rare ecosystem is one of the most important wetlands in Greece, and for this reason part of it is protected under the international Ramsar Convention as a Special Protection Area.

Given that the Ambracian Gulf forms part of the Natura 2000 Network drawn up as part of the implementation of Directive 92/43/EEC (1), what does the Commission intend to do to ensure the preservation of the rare biodiversity (flora and fauna) in the region as a whole and to avert any threat to human health? As co-funder (under the third CSF) of many environmental protection projects in the region over the last decade (biological purification plants), does the Commission intend to examine whether the impact of such an entrepreneurial activity on the ecosystem has been adequately studied and assessed?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2003)

The Amvrakikos Gulf (Ambracian Gulf) has been designated a special protection area (GR2110004) under Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (2) and has been proposed by the Greek authorities as a site of Community importance (GR2110001) under Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (3). The obligations arising from Article 6(2), (3) and (4) of Directive 92/43/EEC therefore apply. In addition, the situation reported by the Honourable Member might also constitute an infringement of Directive 85/337/EEC (4), as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (5).

Examination of the information transmitted by the Honourable Member shows that the Greek authorities have begun the procedure for assessing the environmental impact of the plan to expand the petroleum installations in question. The plan is intended to modernise the existing installations and to improve the treatment system for waste produced there. At present, on the basis of the information available, the Commission does not believe that Directive 85/337/EEC has been infringed. If the Honourable Member has further information showing that an infringement has been committed, the Commission would ask him to forward such information to it.

Regarding the presumed infringement of the obligations arising from Article 6(2), (3) and (4) of Directive 92/43/EEC, it should be noted that the installation in question is not located within the boundaries of the protected site, but clearly outside it. Moreover, as the project's objective is to modernise the existing installations, it is unlikely to have a serious adverse impact on the site. The project is the subject of an environmental impact assessment.

The Commission will check to see whether there is a coherent, specific and comprehensive legal framework ensuring the sustainable management and effective protection of Amvrakikos Gulf, having regard to the conservation objectives of Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(3) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(4) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(5) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.