WRITTEN QUESTION E-1780/00 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. Alyssandrakis report on space policy.
Date: 2000-06-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU research policy, scientific cooperation, space research

C 89 E/84

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.3.2001

The Commission therefore contends that the report and map published in European Newsletter No 9 were
sufficient to convey the most important information concerning Quick Start aid to road development in
Bosnia and Herzegovina. While trying to ensure that all published material is reliable, it does not appear
that corrective measures are required in this case.

(2001/C 89 E/086)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1779/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(8 June 2000)

Subject: EU fishing agreements with Morocco

Is the European Commission aware that the coastal waters south of 27(cid:176)4’ parallel lie off disputed territory?

Does it therefore acknowledge that it is neither right nor proper to include these off-shore waters in any
fisheries agreement with Morocco?

Will it therefore accept that the territorial waters south of the parallel 27(cid:176)4’ should not constitute part of
the current EU fisheries agreement being negotiated with Morocco?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 July 2000)

In the possible negotiations with Morocco, the Commission will refer to the (cid:145)fishing zone of Morocco(cid:146), this
area being defined by the (cid:145)waters falling within sovereignty and/or within the jurisdiction of Morocco(cid:146).

This definition does not prejudge in any way the status of the waters to the south of parallel 27(cid:176)4’, this
question being governed by international law, and more particularly, by the various resolutions of the
United Nations, to which the Community has constantly given its support.

(2001/C 89 E/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1780/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(8 June 2000)

Subject: Alyssandrakis report on space policy

This report, adopted in the European Parliament on 18 May 2000, calls on the European Commission to
organise a conference of the space powers, namely the European Union, Russia, USA, Japan and China, to
discuss cooperation on the development of launch vehicles and the creation of a GSSP.

Is the Commission planning to respond to Parliament(cid:146)s call? If so, when approximately is it planned?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2000)

The questions of future launcher development and the provision of a global stationary satellite position
(GSSP) do not form a part of the present Commission work programme. These subjects are currently dealt
with adequately by the Member States.

20.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 89 E/85

The Commission is currently preparing a European strategy for space, together with the executive of the
European Space Agency, in response to the request by Council (2 December 1999). A communication on
the strategy will be presented to Council and Parliament before the end of this year.

These questions will be considered as part of the strategy and further discussions in that context will
determine the Commission(cid:146)s role, if any, in the subject matter raised by the Honourable Member.

(2001/C 89 E/088)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1781/00

by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(8 June 2000)

Subject: Protection of the Akamas region in Cyprus

Akamas is a unique area of natural beauty and biodiversity, home to many endemic species of flora and
fauna, located in the western part of Cyprus. International efforts have been undertaken to promote nature
protection in this area such as the World Bank(cid:146)s 1995 Strategic Management Plan for the conservation of
Akamas as a Biosphere Reserve according to the IUCN regulations including a National Park (which was
funded by the European Union) as well as the Council of Europe(cid:146)s 1995 Recommendation No 63 based on
the Bern Convention. Despite these efforts, the Government of Cyprus is currently planning concessions in
the form of development (cid:145)relaxation(cid:146) so as to open the Akamas for large-scale tourist development and
infrastructure projects incompatible with the protection area.

As the Commission pointed out in its 1999 Regular Report on Cyprus(cid:146)s Progress towards Accession, the
Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive has still not been transposed in Cyprus. The same applies
to the transposition of the Habitat and Birds Directives, with particular regard to management issues and
the provision of a comprehensive system for the designation of special protection areas, even though the
transposition and implementation of the Union(cid:146)s environmental legislation is a fundamental condition for
Cyprus(cid:146)s accession to the EU on which negotiations between the EU and Cyprus have already been opened.

Has the Commission taken any measures to dissuade the Government of Cyprus from implementing its
plans for the Akamas area, and has it explained to the Cypriot authorities that these plans contradict
Cyprus(cid:146)s full acceptance of the Union(cid:146)s legislation with a view to accession, with particular regard to the
EIA and the Habitat Directive? Has the Commission called upon the Government of Cyprus to postpone
any development plans and projects in Akamas until such plans are subjected to an EIA in accordance
with Community legislation? If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(11 July 2000)

The Commission follows closely nature protection in Cyprus, including the issue of the Akamas region,
through the various means at its disposal, in the chapter of the accession negotiations relating to the
environment, in technical contacts with the Cypriot authorities on environmental questions, and through
the various pre-accession instruments, such as the regular report on progress towards accession.

As for the environmental impact assessment directive, Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on
the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (1), it is correct that
it has not yet been transposed in Cyprus, but the authorities have brought forward their plans in order to