WRITTEN QUESTION E-1654/96 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (24 June 1996)

Subject: Construction of a marina on the island of Kos

A marina is being built on the island of Kos and rocks are being hauled up from the sea bottom in the region of Aghios Phokas to complete this project. This region is rich in marine life and the sea bottom is being very seriously damaged by this project.

Inhabitants of the island have alleged irregularities in the procedure for the approval of the project. In particular, they claim that the environmental impact assessment has not been made public and that local inhabitants and organizations have been unable to express their views. Moreover, I am informed that the Inspectorate for Marine Antiquities is opposed to this project and has not approved the environmental impact assessment.

Will the Commission say:

1. Whether the European Union is co-funding the above project and, if so, to what extent?

2. Whether it has any information regarding the above allegations?

3. What action it intends to take to enable this investment project - which has been recognized as vital from the point of view of the tourist economy - to go ahead, without causing the environmental destruction referred to above?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (26 September 1996)

According to the information available to the Commission, the marina project on the Greek island of Kos began in June 1990 with the aim of building a port for 260 pleasure boats.

At the start, the project was jointly financed from measure 2.1 of the Integrated Mediterranean Programme (IMP) for the Aegean islands. As work had not been completed by the end of the Programme, financing was taken over by the 1994-1999 Multifund Operational Programme for the southern Aegean, which forms part of the 1994-99 Community support framework for Greece.

Public IMP funding for the project has amounted to GDR 1.02 billion, 60% of which has come from the Community and the rest from the Greek government. Since then, the project has been given a further GDR 240 million, charged to the 1994-99 southern Aegean IMP, with 75% of this coming from the Community. The total estimated budget for the project under the IMP is GDR 410 million, which must be used by the end of the year.

The main focus of the current project is on building marina facilities.

As regards environmental considerations, it should be pointed out that work started in 1990 following a decision on the siting of the marina, published in Greek Official Journal No FEK 911/02.10.1986. Tenders were launched and a works contract signed on 12 June 1990, i.e. before enactment of the law incorporating into Greek legislation Directive 85/337 of 25 October 1990 (Greek OJ FEK 678 B, Decision KYA 62296/90).

However, the Greek authorities did launch an environmental impact assessment, the findings of which were submitted to the municipal council on 24 January this year. The environment-related conditions for the project were subsequently laid down in May.

It is true that non-organic matter was taken from the seabed. The contractors had been issued with a permit by the authorities on 10 October 1995, allowing them within limits to take non-organic materials from the seabed off Agios Fokas beach. As a result, they lifted around 20 000 cubic metres of rock for sea wall construction, a practice which was banned on 23 May this year by the environment ministry.

The environmental impact study does seem to have been slow and did not provide sufficient environmental protection. However, it is also true that efforts by both the Greek authorities and the Commission led to a marked improvement in the situation.

The Commission will keep a close eye on this project and press the Greek authorities to get the marina up and running as soon as possible.