WRITTEN QUESTION E-2532/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. European Year of languages and classical studies.
Date: 2000-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: civilisation, foreign language, language teaching, living language, promotion of the European idea, public awareness campaign

C 225 E/158

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.8.2000

In view of the collapse of the Attica Road Bridge, will the Commission say:

1. Which (cid:145)specialised undertakings(cid:146) with an international reputation have undertaken the supervision of

the Attica Road projects?

2. On the basis of which competition and on what grounds were the specific undertakings selected?

3. How many experts are employed to monitor the quality of the projects, who are they and what is the

evidence of their experience?

4. What is the cost of allocating the supervision of the Attica Road projects to the specific companies
concerned, and how does their remuneration compare with that of other undertakings which have
undertaken the supervision of the Egnatia Road projects, for instance?

5. Does the Commission consider that there has been any mismanagement or waste of Community and

national funds as regards the supervision of the Attica Road projects?

6.

Following the tragic collapse of the Attica Road Bridge, does it intend to impose sanctions, and if so,
what kind of sanctions on those responsible, so as to protect the reputation of its project?

7. Who,

in the its opinion, should assume responsibility for the deaths and injuries caused by the
collapse of the bridge and how will compensation be provided as a minimum form of recognition for
the victims or their families?

P-2120/98, OJ C 135, 14.5.1999, p. 16.

(1)
(2) OJ C 96, 8.4.1999, p. 51.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(20 January 2000)

The Commission does not have the information required under items 1 to 4 of the question put by the
Honourable Member, which concern the contractual relations between the Greek state, the concession-
holding group and any subcontractors it engaged.

The Commission is not in a position to decide whether this accident demonstrates possible bad manage-
ment of the Community funds allocated to supervision of the construction of the bridge and work on Via
Attica, because it does not know the circumstances and the causes of the accident. If the Greek judicial
system established facts revealing a misuse of these funds, the Commission would then draw the requisite
conclusions and would consider any recovery of funds required.

The Commission regrets the deaths and casualties caused by this tragic accident. The allocation of
responsibility, penalties and compensation for the victims are matters for the Greek authorities.

(2000/C 225 E/174)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2532/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: European Year of languages and classical studies

(4 January 2000)

On 19 October 1999 the Commission accepted the proposal from Commissioner Reding to designate
2001 European Year of Languages. According to the Commissioner, the purpose of this proposal is to
protect Europe(cid:146)s languages, promote foreign language acquisition and to raise public awareness of the
issues involved. The programme of European Year of Languages covers the 11 official languages of the
European Union, Irish, Luxembourgish, languages which are recognised in Member States such as Catalan
and Basque and any languages which may be proposed by a Member State of the EU.

8.8.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 225 E/159

Does the Commission agree that this programme should also include the classical languages ancient Greek
and Latin, which constitute the cornerstone of European literary culture and civilisation? Does it not agree
that such a move would send a positive message in the face of the decline of the teaching of these
languages in the Member States? Will it support such a proposal if it is made by the government of a
Member State?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 2000)

On 13 October 1999 the Commission adopted a proposal for a Decision of the Parliament and of the
Council (1) to establish a European Year of Languages in 2001.

The objective of the European Year of Languages is to raise public awareness of linguistic diversity, to
encourage lifelong language learning and to disseminate information on learning opportunities.

Knowledge of languages is important particularly in terms of the personal and professional development of
the individual, intercultural understanding and the competitiveness of European companies. In addition, it
allows us to benefit fully from free movement in the Community.

While the principal message of the European Year should not be directed at specific languages, the target
languages are in fact defined in the Decision as the official
Irish,
Luxembourgish and the other languages recognised by the Member States.

the Community,

languages of

(1) COM(1999) 485 final.

(2000/C 225 E/175)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2533/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(4 January 2000)

Subject: Harmonisation of Greek maritime law with community legislation

With a view to bringing Greek legislation in line with Directive 75/34 (1) (Article 7) and Regulation 1251/
70 (2) (Article 7) and the ECJ judgment of 27 November 1997 the Greek Government recently issued a
presidential decree abolishing Article 5 of the Code of Public Maritime Law which states that only vessels
which are more than 50 % owned by Greek shipowners are deemed Greek vessels.

Seamen(cid:146)s and shipowners(cid:146) union organisations are concerned lest vessels with owners from other
Community Member States receive more favourable treatment than vessels with Greek owners.

Given the concerns expressed by these trade union organisations, will the Commission say:

1.

Is there any possibility that (cid:145)foreign(cid:146) vessels which will be based in Greece may receive more
favourable treatment?

2. Will the Greek legal provisions applicable to Greek vessels apply to such vessels without discrimina-
tion, such as the provisions on the composition of crews, the establishment of a common working
language, the granting of licences, manning, rescue measures etc.?

(1) OJ L 14, 20.1.1975, p. 10.
(2) OJ L 142, 30.6.1970, p. 24.