WRITTEN QUESTION E-1967/01 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Public works on the River Kravsindon.
Date: 2001-07-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Greece, application of EU law, environmental impact, environmental protection, road building, watercourse

4.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/83

Scientific and political circles do not appear to have taken sufficient notice of such an exceptional
phenomenon.

Given that, in the year 2001, such things must never ever be allowed to happen again and that Article 24
of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantees the rights of the child, what attention is the
Commission bringing to bear on the matter and what humanitarian and economic assistance is it
providing to the countries where cases occur, to ensure that they accept responsibility for them and
prevent any repetition in the future?

What support is being offered with a view to resocialising human beings who, when they are found, very
often cannot speak any language and show severe signs of physical and mental maladjustment?

Does the Commission not believe that it should promote exhaustive studies on specific cases and the
characteristics of the phenomenon and the best ways to reclaim the children affected?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(6 September 2001)

The Commission considers that it is not qualified to act in this matter.

(2002/C 81 E/097)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1967/01

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Public works on the River Kravsindon

(5 July 2001)

Further to my questions Nos E-1162/89 (1) and E-1835/90 (2), I should like to return once more to the
subject of the covering of the River Kravsindon. Complaints reveal that the municipality of Volos has
declared its intention of building a road for through traffic along the River Kravsindon, thereby creating an
internal ring road. Owing to the heavy traffic that the road will attract, a huge area in the centre of the
Volos-Nea Ionia conurbation will suffer environmental and social consequences.

Given that the Kravsindon area has received funding from the LIFE programme for its environmental,
cultural and social development, will the Commission say whether Community funds will be used to carry
out the project and to what extent the works are consistent with Framework Law 1650/86 on the
protection of the environment, and with Directive 85/337/EEC (3)?

(1) OJ C 139, 7.6.1990, p. 30.
(2) OJ C 45, 25.2.1991, p. 30.
(3) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

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

(8 October 2001)

Under the programmes of the Financial Instrument for the Environment (LIFE), the municipality of Volos-
NØa Ionia obtained funding to carry out project 93/GR/4518 to improve and enhance the area bordering
the River Kravsindon. This project was successfully completed on 21 May 1997.

With press cuttings and a study to support them, on 6 July 2000 a group of citizens from the region
protested against the intention of the municipality of Volos-NØa Ionia to build a ring-road which would be
partly financed by funds awarded under the Community support framework (CSF) for the period 2000-
2006. As this route would be situated in the area of the LIFE project 93/GR/4518, it would be likely to
jeopardise the improvements made by that project and impair the local environment.

C 81 E/84

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

According to the information available, the planned route is not part of the projects financed by the CSF in
the period 1994-1999. As far as the CSF covering the period 2000-2006 is concerned, the Thessaly
regional authorities have not for the time being received any application for co-financing such a project by
the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Should they receive such an application, it will be
assessed in accordance with national and Community legislation in force. It must also be pointed out that
conditions of a similar nature for co-financing projects will feature in the evaluation criteria of the
operational programmes. These criteria are currently being finalised by the Greek authorities as part of
their obligations deriving from Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down
general provisions on the Structural Funds (1).

The Commission reacted on 2 August 2000, requesting an explanation from the municipality of Volos-NØa
Ionia as a former beneficiary of LIFE programme funds and as the authority instigating the project in
question. Although a reminder was forwarded on 22 May 2001, no reply has so far been forthcoming
from the municipality concerned. Accordingly, a letter will be addressed to the Greek authorities asking for
explanations about the project. When the Commission has received a reply, it will examine whether there
is any incompatibility with Community law, particularly Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985
on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (2), and, if
necessary, the Commission will initiate an infringement procedure.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.
(2) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (OJ L 73, 14.3.1997).

(2002/C 81 E/098)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1969/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 July 2001)

Subject: Railways in Greece

The railway is a particularly effective and viable solution to the acute problems of traffic congestion,
pollution and accidents, which is why Community programmes also support
the extension and
modernisation of the rail networks in the Member States.

Does the Commission consider that the rail programme under the second Community Support

1.
Framework was carried out in a satisfactory manner (initial and revised budget, progress of projects)?

2. What projects are included in the third Community Support Framework?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(13 September 2001)

As regards the implementation rate of rail projects programmed in the Community support framework
(CSF) for 1994-1999 in Greece, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its supplementary
answer to Written Question E-3657/00 by Mr Hatzidakis (1).

The main aim of the rail transport projects to be part-financed in Greece by the CSF and the Cohesion
Fund in the 2000-2006 programming period is the completion of the construction of an electrified double
track between Athens and Thessaloniki and links between this line and the ports of Piraeus and
Thessaloniki. Construction of a double track between Athens, Corinth and Patras, the rail link from the
centre of Athens to the new airport at Spata and the restructuring and implementation of the business
plan of the Greek Railways Organisation (OSE) are also included in the projects listed in the programming
referred to above.

(1) OJ C 136 E, 8.5.2001.