WRITTEN QUESTION E-3350/00 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Petrola's application for expansion.
Date: 2000-10-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, air quality, environmental protection, investment policy, type of business

6.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 163 E/95

(2001/C 163 E/102)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3350/00

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Petrola(cid:146)s application for expansion

In May 1998, Petrola Ellas submitted its new investment programme to the Ministry of the Environment,
Public Works and Regional Planning, together with other ministries responsible, requesting authorisation
to set up a large number of new plants which will occupy an area of some 13 hectares (according to
company executives)
in the safety zone between the existing installations of the Petrola and Pyrkal
corporations. This expansion is allegedly in breach of many aspects of Greek law (Presidential Decree
791/81) and Community legislation, in particular Directives 85/337/EEC (1), 82/501/EEC (2) (the (cid:145)Seveso
directive(cid:146)) and 84/360/EEC (3).

Petrola is in fact situated in the immediate vicinity of the densely populated areas of Elefsina, Aspropirgos,
Magoula and Mandra, and the expansion will both increase the risk of an accident, since by expanding into
the safety zone, Petrola will also adjoin Pyrkal, as well as more than triple pollution levels in an already
environmentally spoiled area as fuel consumption will increase 3,4 times and the volume of gas emissions
will increase three-fold at least.

In the light of this information, will the Commission look into the above situation and ask Greece for
clarification? Instead of granting Petrola further authorisation to expand, would it not be better for the
Commission to contribute towards immediate measures to combat the pollution, discharges and stench
emanating from this refinery?

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
(2) OJ L 230, 5.8.1982, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 188, 16.7.1984, p. 20.

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

(14 December 2000)

In the light of various press articles, the Commission wrote to the Greek authorities on 7 June 2000
requesting information on the expansion of Petrola(cid:146)s installations. No reply has been forthcoming.

Following the question from the Honourable Member, the Commission will contact the Greek authorities
again to ask whether they have approved the expansion of Petrola(cid:146)s installations and what environmental
terms have been laid down.

(2001/C 163 E/103)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3352/00

by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(27 October 2000)

Subject: Strategy of the DG for Fisheries in the Pacific

At the MHLC 7 conference held from 20 August to 5 September 2000, the convention to be overseen by
the western Pacific tuna commission was signed by all the participating countries except Japan, South
Korea, France, China and Tonga.
In spite of the undertaking given by Director-General Smidt, the
Commission was not present at the conference. A further meeting is due to take place shortly, at which
it is hoped that the aforementioned countries will sign. The sector is unsure as to whether the EU is fully
involved in the MHLC process.