WRITTEN QUESTION P-2323/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Inclusion of Schinia (Attica) in the Natura 2000 network.
Date: 2000-06-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Central Greece, EU environmental policy, protected area

6.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 72 E/193

(2001/C 72 E/248)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2323/00

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Inclusion of Schinia (Attica) in the Natura 2000 network

(30 June 2000)

The international environmental organisation WWF has proposed that the Commission should include
2 326 new regions in the list of regions which form part of the Natura 2000 network (Directive 92/43/
EEC) (1) submitted by the Member States. Among these new regions special priority is accorded to the
Schinia wetlands in Attica.

Given that this region has been selected as a site for facilities for the 2004 Olympic Games, will the
Commission consider the WWF proposal with a view to promoting the objectives of Natura 2000? What
scope does the Commission have for intervening in this matter?

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2000)

The Schinia wetlands are indeed among the additional sites (the (cid:145)shadow list(cid:146)) proposed by the Worldwide
Fund for Nature for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network pursuant to Council Directive 92/43/EEC of
21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.

When assessing, for each biogeographical region, the national lists transmitted by the Member States, the
Commission takes the WWF(cid:146)s proposals into consideration whenever a type of habitat or a species is
deemed to be insufficiently represented.

Regarding the facilities planned at Schinia for the 2004 Olympic Games, a complaint has already been
lodged with the Commission, which will be examining the case within that context.

(2001/C 72 E/249)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2325/00

by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission

(30 June 2000)

Subject: Migrants Forum

I understand that the Directorate-General for Justice and Home Affairs took over the management of
Community subsidies for the European Union Migrants Forum from the Directorate-General for Employ-
ment and Social Affairs as of 1 January 2000. In this year(cid:146)s budget, € 800 000 was earmarked under
budget line A-3040 towards the operating cost and the work programme for this organisation.

As vice-chairman of the Committee on Budgetary Control I received a copy of an open letter, dated
8 March 2000, signed by a number of interested associations including ATMF (Association des Travailleurs
Marocains en France), FTCR (FØdØration des Tunisiens pour une CitoyennetØ des deux Rives), ATIME
(Association des Travailleurs de Turquie), AJM (Asociaci(cid:243)n de Trabajadores e Inmigrantes Marroqu(cid:237)es en
Espaæa), ELELE (Maison des Travailleurs de Turquie) and CFAIT (Conseil des Associations Fran(cid:231)aises de
Turquie), in which allegation of mismanagement are made. I understand that the Commission also received
a copy of this letter following the Annual General meeting on 16/17 December 1999.

News has also reached me, through reliable contacts in Denmark, that in addition to the concerns voiced
in the open letter, the budget was allegedly re-directed to fund an election campaign in Morocco and to
pay for private expenses.