WRITTEN QUESTION E-1550/01 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Building of a radar station on Ipsarion on the island of Thassos.
Date: 2001-05-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, application of EU law, countryside conservation, electro-magnetic equipment, electromagnetic interference, environmental law, protected area, protection of plant life

C 350 E/184

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

These measures also included a ban on the introduction of pigeons from the United Kingdom if there was
a risk that they had been in contact with animals potentially infected by FMD.

The Commission has reviewed the situation in the framework of the Standing Veterinary Committee.

The restrictions on the movement of pigeons adopted by the Belgian authorities were lifted on 15 May
2001.

(2001/C 350 E/199)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1550/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 May 2001)

Subject: Building of a radar station on Ipsarion on the island of Thassos

The Ministry for Civil Aviation and the Ministry for Transport have decided to build a 130 m2 radar station
in a 3 000 m2. enclosure on the mountain of Ipsarion on the island of Thassos, an area protected under the
Natura 2000 network, thereby provoking complaints from the mayor of Thassos and local residents
concerning the adverse environmental
impact of the project, the threat to the continued existence of
protected plant species and the danger from electromagnetic radiation.

The local residents have registered a complaint with the public prosecutor(cid:146)s office in Kavala, alleging that
in connection with the project, a number of irregularities have occurred, such as failure to observe the
environmental regulations issued by the Prefecture, failure to obtain the necessary authorisation from the
archaeological authorities and infringement of environmental protection legislation.

In order to protect the area, which is classified as being of outstanding natural beauty, can the Commission
provide the following information:

1. Have possible alternative locations for the radar been considered?

2. Can it

investigate whether

the works being carried out on Ipsarion are in accordance with
environmental protection legislation such as Directive 92/43/EEC (1) and, if this is not the case, can it
take action to prevent the installation of the radar and have the area restored?

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(10 July 2001)

The Greek authorities have proposed Mount Ypsarion on Thassos as a site for inclusion in the Natura
2000 network in accordance with Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of
natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. Accordingly, they must see to it that the site(cid:146)s conservation
value is not compromised by activities undertaken there.

The Commission is unable to tell the Honourable Member whether alternative solutions have been
examined for the project in question, as such examination falls primarily within the jurisdiction of the
Member States. Nonetheless, in order that it may examine the reported situation properly, the Commission
would ask the Honourable Member to provide more detailed information on the project(cid:146)s potential impact
on the site.