WRITTEN QUESTION P-1335/01

by Luckas Vander Taelen (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(26 April 2001)

Subject: Environmental impact of the 2004 Olympic Games infrastructure on Schinias

Answering to my Written Question E-2394/00(1) of 26 September 2000, the Commission said that it had already requested information from the Greek authorities about the measures taken to ensure the protection of the natural sites threatened by the infrastructure development for the 2004 Olympic Games.

In view of the very recent decision by the Greek Couuncil of State to annul part of the Presidential Decree which grants national park status to the Schinias area, because of the unlimited building developments permitted in the middle of the site, does the Commission now agree with the Greek courts that stronger action is needed to protect the valuable habitats, in particular by relocating the proposed Rowing and Canoeing Centre to one of the two viable alternative sites which were originally proposed by the Greek Government itself in an earlier tender document?

Would not the selection of the Schinias area for the Rowing and Canoeing Centre actually conflict with the inclusion of this area in the scientific reference list of areas qualifying for classification as special protection areas under the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC)(2), and would it not also constitute an extremely important negative precedent opening the door for large construction projects in other Greek national parks and protected areas?

What measures has the Commission taken to prevent the indoor Table Tennis Stadium in the Veikou Park from damaging that protected forest area and the Olympic Village from threatening the Parnitha National Park?

(1) OJ C 136 E, 8.5.2001, p. 29.

(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(13 June 2001)

As mentioned in the answer to the Honourable Member's Written Question E-2394/00, the Schinias marshes have not been proposed by Greece under either the Birds (Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds) or the Habitats (Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(1)) directives for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network. However, given that the site has been included in relevant scientific reference lists, the Commission has sent a letter to the Greek authorities in the context of the formal complaint lodged in 2000, asking for specific information on this planned Olympic project. The Commission seeks to ensure the compatibility of the planned development with the conservation value of the site.

Further to the reply of Greece and in the light of additional information brought to Commission's attention, the Commission carried out in March 2001 an on-the-spot appraisal of the situation. Information gathered is currently under evaluation in order for the Commission to decide on the follow-up to be given to this matter.

The recent decision of the Greek Council of State mentioned by the Honourable Member does not concern the area to be affected by the planned project of the Olympic canoeing and rowing center.

As regards the Table Tennis Stadium in the Veikou Park, on 15 February 2001, the Commission requested the Greek Authorities to provide information. Greece has not yet replied.

With reference to the Olympic village near the National Park of Parnitha, the Commission has decided to close a formal complaint lodged in 2000 related to the modification of the town planning map, as there is no Community competence in this matter.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.