WRITTEN QUESTION E-2777/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Protection of archaeological treasures at Salamina in Turkish-occupied Cyprus.
Date: 2000-01-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cyprus, common foreign and security policy, historic site, occupied territory

18.7.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 203 E/177

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 2000)

The Honourable Members are requested to refer to the Commission(cid:146)s reply to Written Question P-2579/99
by Mr FernÆndez Mart(cid:237)n. (1)

(1)

See page 175.

(2000/C 203 E/229)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2649/99

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: Update on the URBAN programme in Rome

With reference to my previous question E-0568/99 (1) and to the answer given by Commissioner Wulf-
Mathies on 3 May 1999:

1. Can the Commission say whether, as a result of the accumulated delays, there have been reductions in

allocations from the Commission?

2. Has the municipality of Rome made up ground since the end of April and reached the commitment

level of 70 % forecast by the Commission?

3. Can it provide a comparative table of the other Member States?

4. What is the final budget?

(1) OJ C 370, 21.12.1999, p. 63.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(2 February 2000)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2000/C 203 E/230)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2777/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(18 January 2000)

Subject: Protection of archaeological treasures at Salamina in Turkish-occupied Cyprus

Archaeologists from Ankara University have been reported as carrying out illegal excavations in the
necropolis of ancient Salamina in the Turkish-occupied sector of Cyprus, an important archaeological site
on the island and one of the most significant in the Mediterranean. The excavations are being carried out
despite the fact that Turkey has been a signatory to the Hague Convention since 1965, Article 5 of which
expressly prohibits any archaeological work in areas occupied by foreign forces without the consent of the
legitimate government of the country.

Will the Commission intervene to bring a halt to any excavation of archaeological sites and, if so, in what
manner?

C 203 E/178

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2000

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 2000)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-669/99 by
Mr Mar(cid:237)nos during question time at Parliament(cid:146)s December 1999 part-session (1).

(1) Debates of the European Parliament (December 1999).

(2000/C 203 E/231)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2783/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Shortcomings of public works in Greece

(18 January 2000)

In its answer (P-2120/98) (1) to my question concerning compliance with quality standards in public works
in Greece (2), the Commission pointed out that the first ESPEL (special quality control council) quarterly
report found that problems of the kind mentioned do exist and stressed that it (cid:145)expects this matter to make
rapid progress and hopes that any financial, disciplinary, penal or other consequences for those responsible
will have a dissuasive effect in the future and will result in lasting improvements to the situation as regards
quality(cid:146). It also noted that, depending on their seriousness, the shortcomings suffered by the projects would
either have to be corrected by the contractors, or the costs involved would be deducted from their
payments, or else the projects would have to be rebuilt at the contractors(cid:146) own expense.

Given that ESPEL recently forwarded to the services of the Ministry for Economic Affairs reports on 44
public works, of which it transpires that only four projects meet all the necessary standards:

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. Will it say what progress has been made in each case in dealing with the shortcomings mentioned in
its answer, on which it expected (cid:145)rapid progress(cid:146) to be made?

2. What information does it have on further shortcomings and what measures does it intend to take?

(1) OJ L 135, 14.5.1999, p.16.
(2) Written Question E-2592/98, OJ C 31, 5.2.1999, p. 151.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 2000)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2000/C 203 E/232)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2854/99

by Jonas Sj(cid:246)stedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(18 January 2000)

Subject: Stockholm information office scandal

Moderate Party MEP Per Stenmark was quoted in Aftonbladet on 20 November 1999 as saying that the
Commission should close its Stockholm office.