WRITTEN QUESTION E-0721/01 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Athens Underground.
Date: 2001-03-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, financing method, financing plan, operational programme, public financing, underground railway

13.11.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 318 E/109

Since 9 August 1998, Mrs de Brouwer, who in the meantime acquired Kenyan citizenship, has refused to
return the children to their father and has prevented any contact between the children on the one hand
and their father and close relations in Belgium on the other.

The Belgian Courts have issued an international warrant for the arrest of Mrs de Brouwer and an
extradition order against her on the grounds of hostage taking. They have also condemned her to a jail
sentence.

The Kenyan authorities, through their attorney-general, have issued legal objections to the Belgian Courts(cid:146)
decision and have placed the children under the protection of the Kenyan Court.

Since the summer of 1998, the three children have not seen their father.

Could this case be raised in meetings with Kenyan officials at all levels and the Kenyan authorities be
invited to do their utmost to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion for all parties involved, in
accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child which states that every child has the right to
maintain direct contact with both parents if separated from one or both?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2001)

The Honourable Member refers to the right of the child who is separated from one or both parents to
maintain personal relations and direct contact with both parents on a regular basis, except if it is contrary
to the child(cid:146)s best interests. This right is set out in Article 24 paragraph 3 of the Union Charter of
Fundamental Rights (1) which is based upon Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the rights of
the child (1989).

It constitutes an expression of the general principle that the best interests of the child should be the
primary consideration in all decisions affecting him or her. Furthermore, a system of cooperation among
authorities for the return of children wrongfully removed has been set up under the Convention on the
civil aspects of international child abduction (1980). However, Kenya is not Party to this Convention.

The President of the Commission raised the issue of the Limet/de Brouwer children during the visit of
President Moi in Brussels in October 1999. However, the Commission has no basis in Community law for
pursuing this matter, and can only hope that the responsible authorities in Belgium and in Kenya reach
a satisfactory outcome.

(1) OJ C 364, 18.12.2000.

(2001/C 318 E/114)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0721/01

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 March 2001)

Subject: Athens Underground

In Greece it has been proposed that self-financing be used to pay for the construction of part of the
extensions to Athens Underground.

1.

Has Greece submitted plans to construct the Underground extensions using this method of funding?

2. What is the Commission(cid:146)s view on this matter?

C 318 E/110

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.11.2001

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(11 May 2001)

The operational programme (OP)
(cid:145)Road axes, Ports, Urban Development(cid:146) of the Community support
framework for Greece during the 2000-2006 programming period, which was approved by the
Commission on 19 March 2001 (1), provides for the construction of the following extensions of the
Athens Metro:

(cid:129) Monastiraki (cid:129) Egaleo: 4,7 km long with 4 stations;

(cid:129) Sepolia (cid:129) Thivon: 2,5 km long with 3 stations;

(cid:129) National Defense (cid:129) Stavros: 5,4 km long with 5 stations;

(cid:129) Dafni (cid:129) Ilioupolis: 1,1 km long with 1 station.

These extensions are planned to be constructed as public works financed exclusively by public funds.

The OP also provides for the construction of transfer stations with park and ride facilities near some Metro
stations, with the participation of private funds under concession schemes.

The Commission considers that the above mentioned investment plan for the extensions of the Athens
Metro is sound.

(1) C(2001) 534.

(2001/C 318 E/115)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0722/01

by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 March 2001)

Subject: Possibility of European rules on safety reports for engineering works such as tunnels

These questions arise from the fire in the ski tunnel in Kaprun in Austria.

Does the Commission agree that automatic fire-extinguishers using water or gas are more effective than
dry-chemical devices which require manual operation? Are there any European rules on the fire safety of
trains using tunnels, other than the obligation to carry dry-chemical extinguishers? If so, what rules? If not,
does the Commission not think there is a need to give consideration to this at European level?

What is the Commission(cid:146)s view of the desirability of European rules on safety reports for tunnels and other
underground engineering works?

If the Commission feels a European approach is necessary, when will it submit a proposal to this effect?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2001)

The Commission considers that the adoption of European technical recommendations on the safety of
road and rail tunnels would allow the general level of safety in existing and future tunnels to be improved.
It has already launched preparatory activities, which should produce results in 2002.

With regard to rail safety, specifications for high-speed rail infrastructure (including tunnels) and rolling
stock are due to be adopted by the end of 2001. They contain technical requirements applying to all new
projects and all upgrading, including a number of provisions relating to fires and passenger evacuation.