WRITTEN QUESTION P-2750/99

by Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission

(7 January 2000)

Subject: Turtles, nature conservation and accession: Cyprus

1. Is the Commission aware of the debate in Cyprus about the protection of the Akamas Peninsula, which is an important nesting area for sea turtles? These turtle species include vulnerable and endangered species, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list. Has the Commission been informed about measures to protect Akamas which were approved by the Cypriot Parliament in 1998, but have not yet been accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers? Is the Commission also aware of the fact that hotel development in the area has meanwhile continued?

2. In view of the upcoming accession of Cyprus, has the Commission entered into discussions regarding the suitability of the Akamas Peninsula, and particularly that the Asprokremmos, Lara and Toxeftra beaches be included in the Natura 2000 network of protected sites, established under the Habitats and Birds Directives (resp. 92/43(1) of 21 May 1992 and 79/409(2) of 2 April 1979)?

3. Will the Commission advise the Cypriot authorities to designate these areas, should the Cypriot authorities omit to propose their inclusion in the Natura 2000 network?

4. Has Cyprus received funds from other Community programmes? If so, under what funding programmes have these funds been provided, and what steps have been taken to integrate environmental aspects into the activities funded, as required by the Treaty?

5. Can the Commission guarantee that no Community funds are being allocated to projects that may result in further damage to the situation in the above mentioned areas?

6. What instruments will the Commission use in order to protect the loggerhead turtle (caretta caretta) and the green turtle (Chelinia mydas) in the above mentioned areas?

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

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

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behal of the Commission

(27 January 2000)

1. The Commission has followed with interest the issue of the Akamas Peninsula in Cyprus as an important nesting ground for two rare species of sea turtle. The Cypriot authorities have informed the Commission that there is legislation in Cyprus affording environmental protection to the Akamas Peninsula, and that there has not been recent hotel development in the protected area. The Commission is not aware of new measures awaiting approval by the Cabinet of Ministers.

2. and 3. As part of the preparations for accession, and as recalled in the negotiations on the environment chapter, the Commission is awaiting the proposed list of sites to be designated as special areas of conservation (SAC) for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network as foreseen by Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (Habitats Directive). An ongoing project under the LIFE programme is assisting the Cypriot authorities in this task. The Commission, fully aware of the sensitivity of the Akamas Peninsula, will examine these proposals in accordance with the relevant criteria of the Directive.

4. and 5. In the early 1990s the Commission funded a turtle conservation project under the Medspa programme. There have been a number of other Community-supported projects in Cyprus with an environmental content, e.g. in the areas of controlling industrial pollution, and sewerage. The Commission does not finance projects that to the best of its knowledge run contrary to the environmental acquis. The candidate countries have also been reminded of the Council conclusions of 24 September 1998 on accession strategies for the environment, in which it was stated that all new investment should comply with the environmental acquis.

6. Once Cyprus becomes a Member State, the relevant legal instrument will be the Habitats Directive, as both species of turtle appear in its annexes. In the meantime the Commission will monitor Cyprus' commitment to the progressive introduction and implementation of the acquis, and the strengthening of the relevant administrative structures. This will be achieved through the various instruments of the pre-accession strategy.