WRITTEN QUESTION E-0300/01 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Compliance with the Habitats and Wild Birds Directives during the organisation of the Olympic Games in Greece.
Date: 2001-02-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EC Directive, Greece, Olympic games, biotope, complaint to the Commission, environmental protection

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/81

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(9 April 2001)

Decision No 1692/96/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 1996 establishes Community
guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network (1), which identify projects of
common interest. An amending Decision as regards seaports and inland ports as well as project No 8 in
Annex III is being examined by the Parliament and the Council. The Conciliation Committee adopted a
common draft at its meeting on 13 March 2001.

The amended text defines the categories of ports included in the network, as well as the general conditions
and specifications for projects of common interest concerning seaports in the network. Hence, any port-
related project of common interest complying with these conditions and specifications is suitable for
financing under the trans-European transport network funds.

Under the amended text, all ports located in the Canary islands, would become part of the trans-European
transport network, if they interconnect islands, peripheral or outermost regions by sea and/or connect
them with the central regions of the Community. Fishing ports and marinas are excluded from this
consideration.

With regard to the priority Essen projects concerning Spain, the Commission can inform the Honourable
Member that the priority project No 8 (cid:145)Multimodal link Portugal/Spain-Europe(cid:146) includes in fact port areas,
but the territory of the Canary islands is not covered by this project.

(1) OJ L 228, 9.9.1996.

(2001/C 261 E/084)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0298/01

by Isidoro SÆnchez Garc(cid:237)a (ELDR) to the Council

(14 February 2001)

Subject: VAT increase in the tourism industry

It is being reported in financial circles that certain Scandinavian Member States are putting pressure on the
Commission to induce Spain to raise the rate of VAT it levies on the tourism industry to 16 %, the aim
being to harmonise taxation and thus avoid tax competition.

Will the Council say whether such pressure is indeed being exerted?

Reply

(31 May 2001)

The question raised by the Honourable Member is not within the Council(cid:146)s sphere of competence.

(2001/C 261 E/085)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0300/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(13 February 2001)

Subject: Compliance with the Habitats and Wild Birds Directives during the organisation of the Olympic

Games in Greece

Greece is planning to undertake infrastructure works at Skhinias in connection with the 2004 Olympic
Games. This wetland area in the Bay of Marathon is covered by the Habitats and the Wild Birds Directives.
Skhinias is a unique biotope with 176 species of bird, rare species of fish and an interesting flora including
stone pines.

C 261 E/82

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.9.2001

A presidential decree recognises Skhinias as a natural park but leaves the way open for the construction of
hotels, parking areas, taverns and other infrastructure. The use of pesticides is also permitted. The Minister
for the Environment and Employment, Kostas Laliotis, wishes to construct a hotel and excavate two
concrete lakes two kilometres wide and two and a half kilometres long.

In Autumn 2000 the WWF protested to the Commission about
irreparable damage in Skhinias is to be prevented action must be taken quickly.

the Greek infrastructure plans.

If

Has the Commission pointed out to the Greek government that the planned infrastructure works will
1.
cause irreparable damage to the unique Skhinias wetland area and conflict with the Community(cid:146)s Habitats
and Wild Birds Directives? If so, has the Greek government agreed not to carry out
the planned
infrastructure works at Skhinias? If not, will the Commission again point out to the Greek government
that
the planned infrastructure operations conflict with the Community(cid:146)s Habitats and Wild Birds
Directives and should be halted?

2.
Has the Commission blocked allocations from the Regional Funds for the 2004 Olympic Games
given the incompatibility of the planned infrastructure works at Skhinias with the Community(cid:146)s Wildlife
and Habitats Directives? If not, is it still prepared to block such allocations for the 2004 Olympic Games
given the incompatibility of the planned infrastructure works with the Community(cid:146)s Habitats and Wild
Birds Directives?

(2001/C 261 E/086)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0332/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 February 2001)

Subject: Measures to protect the Skhinia wetlands

In its reply to a question I had tabled (P-2323/00) (1) on the protection of the Skhinia wetlands within the
framework of the objectives of Natura 2000, the Commission stated that the facilities which had been
planned for Skhinia as part of the 2004 Olympic Games were the subject of a complaint to the
Commission which would examine the matter within this framework.

Have the Commission(cid:146)s investigations made any progress? Can it provide any information on the results so
far?

(1) OJ C 72 E, 6.3.2001, p. 193.

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-0300/01 and E-0332/01
given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 2001)

As mentioned by the Honourable Member, the Commission has already registered a formal complaint
related to the proposed construction of a canoeing and rowing centre in Skhinias. In the framework of the
investigation of the case, the Commission has sent a letter to the Greek authorities drawing attention to
the value of
the site for nature conservation and requesting information concerning any intended
designation of the site for the Natura 2000 network by virtue of the Habitats Directive, Council Directive
92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (1).
Commission officials discussed the case with the Greek authorities at a meeting in Athens on 13 and
14 December 2000.