WRITTEN QUESTION P-2508/01 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Imposition of levies on Greek citizens in respect of land registry.
Date: 2001-09-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community support framework, EIB loan, EU control, Greece, Structural Funds, land register, ministry, property tax, redemption

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/37

However, according to Article 2 of the decision, the suspension will not affect legal adoption proceedings
for which the Romanian Adoption Committee assigned children before
concerning applications
14 December 2000. Nevertheless,
the government Decision does not make any reference to the
international adoption applications which were approved by that date but for which the placement of a
minor is still pending. For this reason, in Spain alone, 1200 adoption proceedings have been suspended,
thereby preventing 1200 Romanian children from escaping the poverty in which they are living and from
becoming part of a stable and prosperous family environment, as is the case for applications made by 100
families in Galicia.

Is the Commission aware of this situation?

Does the Commission not consider that the applications which have already been approved should be
brought to a successful conclusion, with all the necessary guarantees, bearing in mind the plight of the
children concerned and the favourable conditions offered by the Spanish applicant families?

What steps has the Commission taken or does it intend to take in this connection?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 2001)

I would refer the Honourable Member to the Commission’s answer to written question E-2240/01 from
Ms Rodriguez Ramos and others (1).

(1) See page 18.

(2002/C 134 E/040)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2508/01

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 September 2001)

Subject: Imposition of levies on Greek citizens in respect of land registry

Greek press reports claim that the Ministry for Regional Planning, the Environment and Public Works has
applied for a loan of Drs 100 billion from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to continue drawing up the
National Land Registry after the EU discontinued its funding under the third Community Support
Framework. Property owners will be charged with repaying the loan as they will be required to pay
between Drs 10 000 and Drs 30 000 to obtain their title deeds from the Registry.

The new schedule drawn up by the Ministry sets the completion date for the project at : no more or less
than : 2014, i. e. more than twenty years after the first registrations.

What is the Commission’s view of the Ministry’s intention to impose levies on Greek citizens in order to
carry out a project which could have been completed with Community funds given to the Greek
authorities who spent them without even managing to complete 25 % of the work.

What measures will it take to identify those responsible for such unprecedented squandering of funds and
the overrunning of costs, which the Greek press estimates at almost 700 %?

C 134 E/38

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(31 October 2001)

The Commission is aware of the press articles referred to by the Honourable Member.

the procedure provided for

Since the beginning of the year, the Commission has undertaken a full-scale examination of the project
under
in Article 24 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4253/88 of
19 December 1988 laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards
coordination of the activities of the different Structural Funds between themselves and with the operations
of the European Investment Bank and the other existing financial instruments (1). Once that procedure has
been completed, the Commission will decide on any reduction in the Community assistance. It will be up
to the Greek authorities to apportion any responsibility in accordance with the national
laws and
administrative provisions in force.

(1) OJ L 374, 31.12.1988.

(2002/C 134 E/041)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2517/01

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 September 2001)

Subject: Excessive concentration of toxins in aquatic ecosystems

Research carried out at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki reveals that, during 1999-2000, 32 aquatic
ecosystems in Greece had concentrations of toxins above the limits set by the World Health Organisation
in nine lakes (Volvi, Doiran, Mikri Prespa, Vistonida, Amvrakia, Zazari, Kastoria, Ioannina).

Is the Commission aware of this situation and what action can be taken under Community law to

1.
tackle the problem?

2. What risks to public health are associated with excessive concentration of
ecosystems?

toxins in aquatic

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 2001)

1. With reference to the research carried out in Greek aquatic ecosystems, the Commission is aware of
water quality problems in Greece as far as eutrophication problems of Greek water bodies are well known.
However,
for which little
information is available, and studies are going on in several Member States for drinking or bathing waters.

the present question concerns toxic species (blue algae in fresh waters),

Under Community law, water quality problems are taken into account in several directives, such as the
Surface Water for Drinking Water Directive, the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, the Nitrates
Directive (1) and others. These Directives aim at a certain water quality as at the reduction of impacts on
water bodies, especially regarding nutrients and dangerous substances.

However, limit values for toxins are not laid down in existing Community-legislation, as the problem had
not been investigated and monitoring methods had not yet been developed at the time the Directives were
adopted.