WRITTEN QUESTION No. 398/98 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Conversion of an Armenian Monastery into a Hotel in Occupied Cyprus
Date: 1998-02-24
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: Armenia, Cyprus, cultural heritage, heritage protection, hotel industry, religious institution

9. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 310/57

3.
During the programming phase the regional partners must give written assurance that measures cofinanced
by the ERDF will be compatible with Community environmental legislation. The subsidiarity and partnership
principles mean that the regional partners are responsible for programme implementation and for checking that
environmental  legislation  is  observed.  Further,  annual  reports  must  state  what  measures  have  been  taken  to
ensure  environmental  protection.  The  latest  available  report  for  Brandenburg  states  that  for  all  projects  the
opinion of the environmental protection department of the local administration is required. Compliance may also
be verified and ensured by means of on-the-spot checks by the Commission.

(98/C 310/72)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0398/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(24 February 1998)

Subject: Conversion of an Armenian Monastery into a Hotel in Occupied Cyprus

According to reports in the Turkish newspaper the (cid:145)Kibris Postasi(cid:146) the Armenian monastery of (cid:145)Sourp Magar(cid:146)
dating from the year 1000 AD which was bombarded by the Turkish invading forces is to be converted into a
50-bed hotel. The monastery is situated in the area of Kyrenia in occupied Cyprus. The illegitimate government
intends to lease it for 49 years for $20 000 annually.

This is another example of the disregard shown by the Turkish occupying forces for the cultural heritage of the
island  and  is  a  clear  indication  of  the  respect  due  to  Christian  buildings  in  the  eyes  of  the  powers  illegally
occupying the Northern part of Cyprus.

What action does the Commission intend to take in response to this manifestly illegal action by a brutal regime
supported only by its 40 000 strong armed forces which have been occupying 40% of Cyprus for 24 years?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 1998)

The recent visits of 800 Turkish Cypriots to a mosque in Larnaca and the pilgrimages of several hundreds of
Greek Cypriots to a monastery in the north of the island are modest signs of progress in the relations between the
two communities. The respect of each other(cid:146)s cultural heritage is a fundamental step in preserving the identify of
the two Cypriot communities. The Commission would like to utilise part of the funds of the fourth financial
protocol for the restoration of monuments in the entire island (as a bi-communal project). Although until now this
has not been possible, the Commission will continue to support this type of initiative and hopes that the political
circumstances in Cyprus might eventually allow its implementation.

(98/C 310/73)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0404/98

by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission

(24 February 1998)

Subject: Problems affecting the production of olive oil, cotton and citrus fruits

Greek farmers blame problems affecting the production of olive oil, cotton and citrus fruits on what they regard
as particularly unfavourable decisions by Brussels. They maintain that Greek cotton production is coming under
pressure and that citrus fruit production is being adversely affected by the WTO agreement limiting subsidized
export levels. Greek olive growers are suffering as a result of over production in Spain and the refusal of the
Commissioner responsible to take appropriate measures. Community subsidies for Greek olive oil have been
reduced  by  30%  but  instead  of  speeding  up  Community  intervention  the  Commission  is  now  calling  for  the
creation  of  Community-funded  private  reserves.  Is  the  Commission  aware  that  Greece  does  not  have  the
necessary infrastructure and does it intend to take any measures of a general nature to alleviate the situation of