WRITTEN QUESTION E-1697/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 September 1999)

Subject: Violation of Directive 91/271/EEC concerning the designation of vulnerable areas in the Gulf of Elefsina.

The Committee on Petitions has examined Petition 413/92 submitted by the inhabitants of the region of Elefsina. A group of Euro-MPs visited the region in October 1995 and examined the state of the environment and the alleged violations of Community legislation which local inhabitants had protested about, but they failed to receive any undertakings from the Greek government that it would address the problems.

The Commission initiated proceedings against Greece for failing to implement Directive 91/271/EEC(1) on vulnerable regions: the result of the Greek Government's failure to act is that the Gulf of Elefsina is not being protected, and no measures are being taken to restore the environment.

Will the Commission say which programmes can be used to fund substantive measures to rid the Gulf of environmental pollution and to improve the quality of the water and the coastline?

(1) OJ L 135, 30.5.1991, p. 40.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(15 November 1999)

When Petition 413/92 was examined the Commission informed the members of Parliament's Commission on Petitions (on 22 April 1999) of the action taken in the Elefsina region by the Greek authorities in implementation of Council Directive 82/501/EEC of 24 June 1982 on the major accident hazards of certain industrial activities(1) (amended by Council Directive 96/82/EC of 9 December 1996 on the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances(2)). They found the information given satisfactory and decided to terminate action on the petition.

On Council Directive 91/271/EEC of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste water treatment(3) the Commission reminds the Honourable Member that in view of Greece's failure to identify sensitive areas (as required by Article 5 of the Directive) it decided in July 1999 to bring the matter before the Court of Justice under Article 226 (formerly 169) of the EC Treaty.

The Commission has always supported the provision of domestic and industrial waste water treatment in Greece and protection of coastlines.

Depending on their nature projects at present are part-financed either from the Cohesion Fund or through operational programmes (OP) under the 19941999 Community support framework for Greece. These include the Environment OP and the OPs for the 13 Greek regions. Support has also been given through other Community instruments such as LIFE.

The Commission is now examining Greece's proposal for the Community support framework for the 2000-2006 programming period. This will certainly include part-financing of projects to clean up surface waters. It is also virtually certain that Cohesion Fund support will continue for projects of this type.

Treatment facilities for domestic and industrial waste water discharged into the Gulf of Elefsina can therefore be part-financed during the next programming period if the Greek authorities make appropriate proposals.

(1) OJ L 230, 5.8.1982.

(2) OJ L 10, 14.1.1997.

(3) OJ L 135, 30.5.1991.