WRITTEN QUESTION E-0332/01 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Measures to protect the Skhinia wetlands.
Date: 2001-02-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EC Directive, Greece, Olympic games, biotope, complaint to the Commission, environmental protection

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.

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/83

The Commission is currently investigating the file, taking into account the conservation value of the site,
and the elements supplied by the Greek authorities in their reply. A clear position on this issue is expected
very soon.

With regard to the question of funding, the Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member
that the Greek authorities have not requested any Community financing for the above-mentioned project.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2001/C 261 E/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0304/01

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(2 February 2001)

Subject: Mont Blanc tunnel

It is planned to reopen the Mont Blanc road tunnel, one of the main routes through the Alps forming part
of the trans-European network, during the second half of this year.

However, local inhabitants are concerned, based on predictions that goods traffic through the Alps will
increase substantially in the coming years, that reopening the tunnel will cause serious damage to the
environment, in breach of the Alpine Convention, which the European Union has ratified and to which a
protocol on the sensitive issue of transport was added a few months ago.

Two options seem to be emerging, the first involving a total ban on heavy goods vehicles and the second a
quota system, together with the safety measures for the tunnel made necessary in the wake of the review
conducted following the accident.

What information is available on likely increases in goods traffic through the Alps in future years, and
what are the Commission(cid:146)s views on the transport protocol to the Alpine Convention and on the two
possible options of banning heavy goods vehicles or introducing quotas for them?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(23 March 2001)

The Commission is fully aware of the environmental concerns over alpine corridors but notes that actions
must be balanced to take into account economic needs. The Mont Blanc is one of the most crucial transit
routes through the Alps. It is a good example showing that appropriate action is needed (cid:129) both on rail
and road (cid:129) to protect the environment while ensuring the free movement of goods. The principle of free
movement of goods does not allow for a total ban on heavy goods vehicles, even if the Commission fully
recognises that the free movement of goods and sustainable transport have to go hand in hand. Neither
can the Commission lend support to solutions that are (cid:145)quota-based(cid:146), as Community legislation makes
international carriage of goods by road conditional on the possession of a quota-free Community transport
authorisation (1). Rather, the Commission has promoted in the past and will continue to promote, a series
of coherent measures that aim at reducing the negative effects of road traffic throughout the Community.
Such an ambitious goal can only be reached by a coherent package of complementary measures, including,
inter alia, technical standards (improving environmental and safety requirements, notably in tunnels),
infrastructure investments, pricing instruments (aligning transport charges with the real cost of transport in