WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3607/98 by Elisabeth SCHROEDTER to the Commission. The Cretan islands of Gavdhopoúla and Gávdhos proposed as priority natural habitats of Community importance as part of the NATURA 2000 network
Date: 1998-12-03
Institutions: European Parliament, SCHROEDTER
Subjects: Crete, application of EU law, environmental protection, industrialisation, island region, protected area, protected species, protection of animal life, protection of plant life, urbanisation

C 297/88

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

15.10.1999

(1999/C 297/115)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3607/98

by Elisabeth Schroedter (V) to the Commission

(3 December 1998)

Subject: The Cretan islands of Gavdhopoúla and Gávdhos proposed as priority natural habitats of Community

importance as part of the Natura 2000 network

1.
Is the Commission aware that, on the basis of an in-depth investigation, the Cretan islands of
Gavdhopoúla and Gávdhos have been designated by the Greek Ministry for Regional Planning and the
Environment as an irreplaceable natural asset and, consequently, proposed as priority natural habitats of
Community importance as part of the Natura 2000 network? However, Gavdhopoúla is to be totally
demolished, asphalted over and used as an industrial zone, while Gávdhos is to be turned into a high-density
urban development?

2.
Is the Commission aware of reports that money from the European Structural Funds is to be used for the
development and industrialisation or urbanisation of these two islands? If so, what is the total amount
involved, and what percentage of the cost will be funded from Community resources?

Does the Commission take the view that the destruction of the unique flora and fauna on these islands is
legislation and the Treaty of Amsterdam, which lays down

3.
compatible with European environmental
protection and improvement of the environment as a basic task for all the Member States?

4.
To what extent is the Commission aware of the status of the island of Gavdhopoúla? Does it fall within
the ambit of the European single market? If not, what is the Commission’s view of the theoretical possibility
that goods might be traded there without the rules of the single market being applied, despite the island’s close
geographical proximity to it?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(12 February 1999)

1.
The islands of Gavdos and Gavdopoula form a site included in the list of proposed sites of Community
importance (SCIs) transmitted by the Greek authorities to the Commission, pursuant to Council Directive
92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (1), with a view to their future
inclusion in the European ecological network Natura 2000. The Commission is aware of the issues raised by
the Honourable Member concerning the island of Gavdopoula and precise information will be sought from the
Greek authorities concerning the industrial plant on Gavdopoula as well as the plans for urban development
on Gavdos. According to informal information already provided, the environmental impact assessment study
for the projects on Gavdopoula has not been approved by the Ministry of Environment.

2.
Following rumours about investments planned on the island of Gavdopoula, the Commission contacted
the Greek authorities to obtain information. It emerged that no actual project is in progress and none has been
authorised for the islands in question. Consequently, no Community aid has been requested and none is
planned.

3.
The site in question hosts certain priority habitat types and species and should therefore, according to the
criteria set out in Directive 92/43/EEC, be selected as a SCI. As a result, the Commission is of the opinion that
the Member State is obliged by Directive 92/43/EEC and its obligations under the EC Treaty to refrain from any
activity likely to seriously compromise the ecological integrity of that site.

The islands of Gavdos and Gavdopoula are under Greek sovereignty in accordance with the arrange-

4.
ments of the Treaty of London of 1913.

The Act of Accession of Greece to the Communities (2) did not introduce any special regime of any kind for
these islands.

The rules of Community law (primary and secondary) apply, therefore, to these islands as they apply to the
whole geographical territory of Greece.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.
(2) OJ L 291, 19.11.1979.