WRITTEN QUESTION E-1928/01 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Atmospheric pollution in Attica.
Date: 2001-06-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, air quality, environmental standard, national implementing measure, offence, pollution control

14.2.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 40 E/141

defining a regional project aiming at human rights(cid:146) protection in which the component for Guatemala is
the most important; finally a number of projects dealing with the defense of human rights in Guatemala
could be selected for financing under the (cid:145)European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights(cid:146) (Call for
Proposals (1)).

On the level of political dialogue with Guatemalan authorities, the Commission and Member States have
also reiterated the importance of respecting human rights. The latest actions which have drawn attention
to the deteriorating situation of both the Peace Process and human rights respect in Guatemala have been
the meeting between the Troika and Guatemalan Vice-President in margin of San JosØ XVII meeting (March
2001), as well as the declaration of the Swedish Presidency on 25 April 2001, on the third anniversary of
the assassination of Bishop Gerardi.

In addition, during its visit to Guatemala at the end of March 2001, the Member of the Commission
responsible for External Relations called on President Portillo(cid:146)s Government to take urgent action to avoid
a negative spiral of events in Guatemala and to reinvigorate the stalled implementation of the Peace
Accords.

(1) OJ C 170, 17.6.1999.

(2002/C 40 E/150)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1928/01

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 June 2001)

Subject: Atmospheric pollution in Attica

According to a recent announcement by Greenpeace in Greece on 13 June 2001, ozone readings in Attica
are far in excess of the limit values, while concentrations of carcinogenic pollutants such as microparticles
from oil and benzol remain high, as confirmed by the Commissioner for the environment in reply to an
earlier question (H-0787/00) (1).

In the same answer, the Commissioner also said that it was possible to achieve an improvement in air
quality in Athens through the implementation of Community legislation, particularly in the transport
sector.

What practical measures and programmes have the Greek environment authorities launched to bring about
an improvement in air quality in Athens and what did they achieve? Will the Commission also say
whether Greece has complied with Directive 96/61/EC (2), following the Commission(cid:146)s warning letter, and
whether it has incorporated Directive 1999/30/EC (3) into national law?

(1) Oral answer, 15.11.2000.
(2) OJ L 257, 10.10.1996, p. 26.
(3) OJ L 163, 29.6.1999, p. 41.

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

(3 September 2001)

Council Directive 1999/30/EC of 22 April 1999 relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen
dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in ambient air, must be transposed into
national law by 19 July 2001. The Commission has not yet been notified that it has been transposed by
the Greek authorities.

The Directive sets limit values for sulphur dioxide and particulate matter that must be met by 2005 and
for nitrogen dioxide and benzene that must be met by 2010. Member States must measure these pollutants
from this year, and if they are above an action level set in the Directive, must prepare action programmes,
make them available to the public, and send them to the Commission by the end of 2003.

A similar Directive 2000/69/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2000, setting limit
values for carbon monoxide and benzene in ambient air (1) must be transposed by 13 December 2002.

C 40 E/142

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.2.2002

Community measures relating to emissions from motor vehicles and to fuel quality are designed to help
meet these limit values. The Commission notes also that the Greek authorities have announced plans to
remove traffic from the historic centre of Athens.

The proposal for a Directive concerning ozone in ambient air is expected to be finally adopted this year.
A related proposal for a Directive setting national emission ceilings for certain pollutants is designed to
help achieve the standards set out in the ozone proposal (2).

A case in respect of implementation of Council Directive 1996/61/EC of 24 September 1996 concerning
integrated pollution prevention and control, by the Greek authorities is now before the Court.

(1) OJ L 313, 13.12.2000.
(2) OJ C 56 E, 29.2.2000.

(2002/C 40 E/151)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1932/01

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(29 June 2001)

Subject: Missing persons

Has the Commission(cid:146)s attention been drawn to the difficulties experienced by people who maintain a
voluntary contact service following the disappearance of relatives without trace? Is it aware of the costs
associated with the provision of such a service both in terms of time and expenditure and does it plan to
propose funding for such services?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(26 September 2001)

The Commission is aware of the difficulties facing the people who set up the contact centres referred to by
the Honourable Member.

At present, however, it is focusing on the situation as regards missing children and teenagers.

For instance, in May 2001 it sponsored the setting-up of the European Federation for Missing and Sexually
Exploited Children, which brings together a number of organisations working in the field in various
Member States.

The Commission would also inform the Honourable Member that organisations like Child Focus, Net
Missing Persons Helpline and a number of others involved in searching for missing children have received
Community funding through the Daphne Programme. In this context, a study designed to examine the
provisions existing in this field in the Member States should be available by the beginning of next year.

Finally, the Commission would point out that Belgium has submitted a motion for a resolution calling on
the Member States to set up national monitoring centres and other centres to combat the disappearance
and sexual exploitation of children. The motion is currently being examined by the competent Council
bodies.

(2002/C 40 E/152)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1936/01

by Robert Goebbels (PSE) to the Commission

(29 June 2001)

Subject: Performance of Japanese pension funds

At recent meeting of the parliamentary group of the Party of European Socialists, Mr Bolkestein, Member
of the Commission, expressed the view that pension funds that are free to choose their investment strategy