WRITTEN QUESTION E-4052/00 by Ioannis Averoff (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Implementation of Community environmental legislation ‐ structural fund financing in the Epirus region.
Date: 2001-01-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Greece, cultural heritage, hydroelectric power, impact study, national implementing measure, power plant, public awareness campaign

C 235 E/52

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.8.2001

(2001/C 235 E/055)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4052/00

by Ioannis Averoff (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 January 2001)

Subject: Implementation of Community environmental legislation (cid:129) structural fund financing in the Epirus

region

Two hydroelectric plants are to be built in the municipalities of Egnatia and Metsovo in the Ioannina
region of Greece. One is already under construction in the area of Mikro Peristeri (Paleokhorio district) and
the other is planned for the area of Anilio.

In both areas there are monuments at risk of being destroyed by these projects and in neither case have
the procedures for informing the public been observed or public opinion been taken into account.

Furthermore, the projects are receiving 45 % of their funding from the operational programme for energy
under the 2nd Community Support Framework for Greece.

In addition to the general framework set by Article 12 of Council Regulation (EC) 1260/1999 (1) laying
down general provisions on the Structural Funds, concerning the observance of environmental legislation,
Articles 6 and 8 of Council Directive 85/337/EEC (2), as amended by Directive 97/11/EC (3), provide for the
public concerned to be given information and for their opinion to be taken into account when the projects
are funded.

Directive 85/337/EEC, as amended by Directive 97/11/EC, has not yet been fully transposed into Greek
national law. What measures will the Commission take to ensure that Community Directive 85/337/EEC,
and Articles 6 and 8 thereof in particular, is implemented in practice in the above areas to avoid the
adverse impact of the above projects on the cultural and natural environment in the region of Ioannina?

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
(3) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(15 February 2001)

According to the information provided to the Commission by the Greek authorities, the procedure
required by national and Community legislation on environmental impact statements and consultation of
the public concerned was followed in the case of these two projects.

(2001/C 235 E/056)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4053/00

by Ulpu Iivari (PSE) to the Council

(15 January 2001)

Subject: Right of disabled people to take guide dogs in taxis

A visually impaired guest who had been taking part in a disabled people(cid:146)s art exhibition at the European
Parliament(cid:146)s place of work in Brussels was not permitted to take his guide dog in a taxi. He asked six
different taxis, but they all refused to take the guide dog in the car.

Guide dogs which assist blind and physically handicapped people are indispensable to their owners. It is
absolutely essential that disabled people should be able to travel in as trouble-free a way as possible. They
should not therefore be hindered in their use of public services.