EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/813

(2004/C 84 E/0908)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0579/04

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 February 2004)

Subject: Vasova lagoon

Further to my written question E-1307/02 (1) on fuel storage tank installations in Vasova lagoon, I should like to provide the Commission with the following latest information in order to facilitate its investigations. Vasova lagoon, which forms part of the Delta of the river Nestos and the Keramoti lagoon, was put forward by Greece under code GR 1150010 as a site of Community interest pursuant to Directive 92/43/EEC (2). However, instead of the whole lagoon being included in the National Park of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace and being protected as an integral part of the ecosystem of the Nestos Delta, it is being totally excluded from the protection areas, even formally. Moreover, the area earmarked for the storage tank installations has now been increased sixfold and is being excluded from the National Park, contrary to the provisions of the Park's founding act in 1996.

Given that Community legislation on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora is being flagrantly violated in this case, will the Commission investigate on the basis of which national or Community legislation the Greek Ministry for the Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works is excluding the lagoon in question from the environmental protection to which it is entitled?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 2004)

The Commission would like to thank the Honourable Member for the additional information he has provided.

On the basis of the facts reported by the Honourable Member in question E-1307/02 (3), the Commission opened an own-initiative case to check whether the installation of new tanks for the storage and transit of petroleum products on the Vasova estuary in addition to the existing tanks, is compatible with Community environmental law. The site in question is a wetland of great ecological importance, which has been designated by the Greek authorities as a special protection area (‘Nestos Delta and Keramoti Lagoons’ — code GR115001) under Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (4), and also proposed as a site of Community importance (‘Nestos Delta and Keramoti Lagoons — surrounding region and coastal area’ — code GR11500010) under Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (5).

The case has been investigated and it has not been possible to confirm any infringement of Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 (6), as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (7), on the assessment of the impact of certain public and private projects on the environment, or of Council Directive 96/82/EC of 9 December 1996 (8) on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances.

However, the Greek authorities do not appear to have taken the necessary measures to establish an adequate system for protecting the site and preventing the deterioration of habitats and significant disturbance of species. Neither have they ensured that any plan or project likely to have a significant effect on the site in question, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects, be subject to appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site's conservation objectives.

The Commission is following the case very closely and will not hesitate to take appropriate measures, including the initiation of infringement proceedings, to ensure that Greece meets the obligations arising from Article 4(1), (2) and (4) of Directive 79/409/EEC, Article 7 and Article 6(2) and (3) of Directive 92/43/EEC.

(1) OJ C 301 E, 5.12.2002, p. 119.

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

(3) OJ C 301, 5.12.2002.

(4) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(5) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(6) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(7) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(8) OJ L 10, 14.1.1997.