WRITTEN QUESTION P-0304/00

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 February 2000)

Subject: Delays in completing Cohesion Fund projects in Greece: biological sewage treatment and reorganisation of landfill sites in Thessaloniki

Work on two projects of importance for environmental protection and improving the quality of life of the inhabitants of Thessaloniki Extension and completion of the Thessaloniki biological sewage treatment plant Stage II and Reorganisation of a landfill site and survey/construction of a transshipment centre for Thessaloniki has been inexcusably delayed, while the Cohesion Fund financial package for the previous programming period (1994-1999) has already expired.

The above projects were among those financed from the Cohesion Fund since 1995 and should have been completed and operational in 1998.

Will the Commission therefore say:

1. What stage has been reached in the work, what the delays are due to and when the projects are expected to be completed?

2. What amount the Community contributed from the 1994-1999 Cohesion Fund programming period and whether the funds committed were sufficient to complete the projects?

3. What measures it has taken, or proposes to take, to ensure that these projects are completed and properly operational?

As regards the Greek authorities' commitments concerning the Thessaloniki biological sewage treatment plant, will the Commission say:

- whether the quality of the water in the Thermaic Gulf is being monitored and, if so, by which body,

- whether the relevant sewerage system has been extended, and

- whether the industrial area has been connected to the sewerage system, whether there is quality control of the industrial waste,

- and from what revenue the operating and maintenance costs will be covered?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(30 March 2000)

Phase II of the project to extend and complete the biological treatment facilities for Thessaloniki, part-financed by the Cohesion Fund, is currently making satisfactory progress. According to the information received from the Greek authorities, most of the infrastructure will be completed at the end of 2000 and the operational trials of the facilities will start gradually as from March 2000. Implementation was held up at the start of the project by both the tendering procedures and the need to finalise the studies and evaluations of the results of phase I. Resources worth approximately EUR 70 million have been allocated overall to this project, mainly for building and improving the facilities and building sewage systems. This amount is considered sufficient to complete the project.

The Commission is aware of how important this project is to improving the quality of life of the population and protecting the environment. This is why it laid down performance criteria in its decision to grant part-financing(1). Moreover, it accepted the proposals for improvements submitted by the Greek authorities and is monitoring the project's progress month by month. The Greek authorities have undertaken to carry out permanent quality control of the coastal and central waters of the Thermaikos gulf by means of monitoring programmes (run by the University of Thessaloniki's pilot environmental

monitoring station) and research programmes (run by the Hellenic Centre for Maritime Research EKTHE); to extend the sewage systems, some of which has now been done (Sindos); to commission biological treatment plants before connecting up the industrial estate and to monitor industrial effluent by means of a research programme and the laboratory on the site of the treatment plant, once the latter is operational. Lastly, the competent authorities will cover the operating and maintenance costs. To this end the Greek authorities are planning to charge appropriate rates.

The project to restore landfill sites and design and build a waste transport centre for Thessaloniki was submitted for part-financing by the Cohesion Fund by the Greek authorities on 27 July 1994. Before approving the project, the Commission had an ex-ante evaluation carried out by its consultants, who visited the sites and submitted various technical reports. Several preparatory meetings were held with the Greek authorities, who incorporated the Commission's technical remarks and improvements in their project proposal. The Commission finally approved the project on 9 December 1997(2). It provides for the rehabilitation of three landfill sites (Tagarades, Thermi and Derveni) and construction of a loading station for waste.

The total cost of this project is EUR 19,1 million, with a Community contribution of EUR 15,3 million (80 %), which is amply sufficient for proper implementation. Under the Commission Decision, which provided for one year's leeway, the project must be completed before 31 December 2000. The Commission has already paid a first advance of EUR 200 000. According to the information received from the Greek authorities, the contracts for the four subprojects have been signed. To date, the uptake of appropriations amounts to 28,8 % of the overall project (17 % in October 1999). The Greek authorities have assured the Commission that they are doing everything possible to speed up implementation:

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During the Monitoring Committee meeting in October 1999, the Commission asked for progress reports on the implementation of the four subprojects. It will continue monitoring progress, particularly as regards Derveni and the loading station.

(1) Decision C(95) 2916F, 28.11.1995.

(2) Decision C(97) 3946, 9.12.1997.