WRITTEN QUESTION P-1329/01 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Attica regional operational programme and earthquake-protection projects.
Date: 2001-04-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, Greece, operational programme, seismic monitoring

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/219

In addition, research on the development of alternatives to animal experiments is largely supported under
this programme.

An ethical review has been implemented systematically under the Quality of Life programme (3) for
proposals dealing with issues such as the use of non-human primates, generation of transgenic animals,
etc. The ethical review panel includes, among others, representatives from animal welfare groups. The
ethical review ensures that all research involving animals are conducted in accordance with Directive 86/
609/CEE, in particular article 5. Furthermore, participants in research projects must seek the approval of
the relevant ethics committees prior to the start of the research activities. The Biomedical Primate Research
Centre (BPRC), which is situated in the Community but independent of the Community, has engaged itself
contractually to fulfil all national legal and ethical requirements.

It is the intention of the Commission to continue to fulfil
requirements when formulating and implementing the next framework programme.

its obligations regarding animal welfare

(1) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.
(2) OJ L 26, 1.2.1999.
(3) OJ C 260, 18.8.1998.

(2001/C 340 E/253)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1329/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(25 April 2001)

Subject: Attica regional operational programme and earthquake-protection projects

The fifth major project under the regional operational programme for Attica is to repair the aftermath of
the earthquake which hit Attica on 7 September 1999. The sum of € 94,63 million budgeted for measure
5.5 (cid:129) repairs to basic infrastructure under local government responsibility (cid:129) is considered inadequate to
cover the damage and the reconstruction work to be undertaken by the local authorities in west Athens,
the least developed and most underprivileged area of the Greek capital, which suffered the severest effects
of that disastrous earthquake.

Will the Commission increase the funding provided for this measure?

Since the uppermost concern in the minds of the public is the protection of their property and their lives
from further earthquakes, why does the Commission give priority in only a small number of local
authority areas to preventive public projects such as the earthquake-protection programmes for buildings,
mending the urban fabric, organised accommodation for earthquake victims, repair and construction of
networks, microzoning studies, and shoring and demolition?

If measure 5.5 does not include aid for certain preventive projects to protect the public (cid:129) in addition to
the restoration of public squares and buildings etc (cid:129) would the Commission then not assume a grave
responsibility for failing to support the local authorities in attempting to provide effective protection in the
event of another earthquake similar to the one in 1999, which claimed dozens of lives and destroyed
thousands of homes?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(20 June 2001)

At its fifth priority axe (cid:145)Repair of damages caused by 1999 earthquake(cid:146), the Attika regional operational
programme (OP) for the 2000-2006 period, which was signed by the member of the Commission
responsible for Regional Policy at the beginning of May 2001, provides for public expenditure of € 462
million of which a contribution of € 370 million comes from the European Regional Development Fund.

C 340 E/220

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.12.2001

this amount between the different measures is the responsibility of

the Greek
The distribution of
authorities and will be set out in the programming complement to be prepared by the managing authority
and approved by the OP monitoring committee. However,
this OP already proposes the following
indicative resources allocation between measures for the public expenditure:

Measure

Description

5.1

5.2

5.3

5.4

5.5

5.6

5.7

Repair of education and training infrastructures

Repair of health and welfare infrastructure

Repair of archaeology sites and monuments

Repair of other basic infrastructures

Repair of basic infrastructures of municipalities

Repair of productive infrastructures

Repair and development of urban infrastructures

(%)

Public expenditure
Axe 5

28

15,2

2,7

20,3

20,5

4,5

8,7

The Greek authorities are also responsible for selecting individual projects within the scope of measure 5.5.
Measure 5.7 provides also for action to clean up damaged urban sites, and prepare them for the building
of new seismic-safe houses. The building of private houses is not itself an eligible expenditure for structural
funds, on the basis of regulations in force.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) can also assist the Greek authorities with long term loans up to
€ 1 billion for the repair of damage caused by the earthquake of 1999 in Attika. A loan of € 300 million
has already been approved by the EIB in December 1999, which can be also used for co-financing
rebuilding or repair of private houses damaged by the earthquake.

(2001/C 340 E/254)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1337/01

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 May 2001)

Subject: Dubbing of film soundtracks

Given that language is the principal means of communication and expression, cultural works such as films,
can only be appreciated fully if they are shown in the original language whereas if the soundtrack is
dubbed into another language and spoken by other actors, this may seriously detract from the identity and
recognisable characteristics of the actors actually appearing on the screen. This effectively creates an artistic
split and deceives the viewer, who sees one actor, and hears another. It would be possible to make a long
list of actors whose artistic careers have suffered as a result of their scripts being dubbed into other
languages using the voices of other actors.

Hence, the dubbing of film soundtracks in languages other than the authentic original undeniably detracts
greatly from the quality of the films concerned particularly film classics, where scripts are mutilated, the
quality of the original acting notably diminished and nuances of expression lost.

What view does the Commission take of unrestricted dubbing of films and can it say whether any
legislation exists establishing rules and restrictions regarding dubbing?