WRITTEN QUESTION P-2562/01 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Continuation of a national cadastral survey in Greece.
Date: 2001-09-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU control, EU financial instrument, EU financing, Greece, Structural Funds, land register

C 93 E/160

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2002

The Union is committed to the promotion of human rights world-wide. They represent a central issue in
the Union’s relations with third countries. In the framework of the Union-China human rights dialogue,
the Union has regularly raised individual cases with the Chinese authorities and will continue to do so.

The EU-China human rights dialogue, and the co-operation projects which support the dialogue, is the
Union’s preferred channel for helping to improve the human rights situation in China. Issues of concern
are raised in meetings with China at all levels, including at the highest level. The Union’s concerns about
the human rights situation in China were therefore also raised at the fourth EU-China Summit meeting on
5 September 2001.

The Commission will closely follow developments concerning the human rights situation in China and will
continue to raise individual cases with the Chinese authorities.

(2002/C 93 E/190)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2562/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Continuation of a national cadastral survey in Greece

(13 September 2001)

In the final paragraph of its reply to my question (P-0585/01 (1) / 18 May 2001), concerning launching of
the procedure provided for under Article 24 of Regulation (EC) No. 2052/88 (2) regarding the national
cadastral survey, the Commission ‘qualifies’ its previous reply thereby substantially changing the meaning
thereof in so far as it recognises the inclusion in the second Community support framework of three
cadastral survey projects covering a total area of 850 thousand hectares with a budget allocation of
ECU 124.6 millions.

Furthermore, in a document forwarded to the Greek authorities concerning the national cadastral survey in
Greece, (31.7.2001) the Directorate-General for Regional Policy announced its decision of initiating the
procedure under Article 24 of Regulation (EC) 4253/88 (3), on the grounds that the information it had
received had been incomplete and only semi-accurate and proposed ‘corrective financial measures’
involving new calculating methods.

this project

Given that
is generally considered to be the largest and most significant structural
environmental initiative being carried in Greece and has already absorbed enormous amounts of funding
from both the Community national authorities and that to halt it now would not only render null and void
everything achieved to date but would also mean totally writing off the funding already provided, does the
Commission consider its present retreat from (or qualification of) the position contained in its previous
reply to be a responsible attitude, given that the procedure under Article 24 is conditioned by ‘a significant
change affecting the nature or conditions of the operation or measure for which the Commission’s
approval has not be sought’? Independently of the final outcome of the procedure under Article 24, does it
intend to continue to support the cadastral survey project under the third CSF subject to the existence of
clearly defined new objectives and timetables agreed in advance with the national authorities?

(1) OJ C 318 E, 13.11.2001, p. 76.
(2) OJ L 185, 15.7.1988, p. 9.
(3) OJ L 374, 31.12.1988, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Barnier opn behalf of the Commission

(30 October 2001)

As the Honourable Member indicates, the Commission is at present enquiring into the implementation of
the land register project under 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. At the conclusion of this inquiry, it will
transmit a copy of its decision, as soon as it has been adopted, to the Honourable Member.

18.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/161

Moreover, at the conclusion of the article 24 procedure, it will take a decision on conditions under which
further financing of the land register may take place within the framework of the third CSF 2000-2006 for
Greece.

(2002/C 93 E/191)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2563/01

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 September 2001)

Subject: National cadastral survey

According to the most recent reports concerning the organisation of the national cadastral survey in
Greece the project has absorbed 83 % of the funds earmarked for it under the Second Community Support
Framework while only 21 % of the work has actually been carried out.

Given that the Commission is refusing further funding for this major project, while the Greek Government
must wait until the end of the year for approval of a loan by the European Investment Bank in order to
carry out the project:

1. Does the Commission intend to approve the inclusion of the cadastral survey under the Third

Community Support Framework?

2. Have the Greek authorities returned the GRD 20 billion as requested by the head of the Commission’s

Regional Policy Directorate by letter of 6 August 2001?

3. What specific irregularities were ascertained by the Directorate regarding the drawing up of the

cadastral surveys, who was responsible for them and what penalties will be imposed?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(30 October 2001)

The Commission has always regarded the organisation of the national cadastral survey as a project of the
utmost importance for the economic development of Greece.

As a result of implementation difficulties, however, the Commission began an examination under the
procedure laid down 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 various Structural Funds between themselves and with the operations of the European Investment
Bank and the other existing financial instruments (1).

In line with the principle of partnership, the Commission forwarded the results of the examination to the
Greek authorities for information along with proposals for a decision it is planning to present concerning
Community assistance granted under the Community Support Framework for the 1994-99 programming
period. It is only when that procedure has been completed that the Commission can decide to cancel or
reduce the Community assistance for the project.

Furthermore, on completion of the procedure under Article 24, the Commission will decide the terms on
which additional funding will be granted for the cadastral project under CSF III 2000-06 for Greece.

The Commission will provide the Honourable Member with a copy of any decision it takes.

(1) OJ L 374, 31.12.1988.