WRITTEN QUESTION P-3383/01 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Work in the Marathon-Schinias area in connection with the Olympic Games.
Date: 2001-12-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, Olympic games, environmental protection, historic site, protected area, sports facilities

20.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/163

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(18 January 2002)

The Commission has closely followed the start up in Greece of the new organisation and procedures
related to the Community support framework (CSF) for the 2000-2006 programming period.

Since their constitution in March 2001, the managing authorities responsible for the sector and regional
programmes have had to meet very demanding deadlines arising from the new procedures, and also to
ensure understanding and acceptance of these new methods of work in the wider Greek administration.
The Commission is generally satisfied with the initial results.

The managing authority for the CSF itself was formally constituted by the end of November 2001. The
recruitment process of the full staff complement for all managing authorities is in progress and should be
completed by the end of January 2002.

At this stage, it is too early to form a firm judgement concerning the capabilities of individual managing
authorities. However, it was agreed at the recent annual meeting (22 and 23 November 2001) between the
Commission and the Greek administration, that the management and organisation unit will seek to
improve its capacity to offer technical assistance and support where weaknesses become evident.

For that reason, the Commission has decided to organise a seminar in March 2002 on the assessment and
management of risk, concerning in particular the relationships between the managing authorities, the final
beneficiaries and intermediary organisations involved in programme implementation. This should clarify
the conditions under which projects can be confidently selected and the nature of the monitoring and
controls which it is the duty of the managing authorities to carry out.

(2002/C 147 E/170)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3383/01

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 December 2001)

Subject: Work in the Marathon-Schinias area in connection with the Olympic Games

in reply to my previous question on this point

(E-1073/01 (1)), Commissioner
On 22 June 2001,
Wallström said that the Commission had carried out an on-the-spot investigation in the Marathon-Schinias
area, in Greece, from which it had garnered information. She also said, in her reply, that ‘information
gathered is currently under evaluation in order for the Commission to decide on the follow-up to be given
to this matter’.

Can the Commission state whether it has duly evaluated this information and what decision it has taken? Is
it aware that work for the Olympic Games has already begun and that any damage caused to this historic
site is irreversible?

(1) OJ C 340 E, 4.12.2001, p. 163.

Reply given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(24 January 2002)

In dealing with the case of the Olympic rowing and canoeing centre at Schinias/Marathon in Greece, the
Commission’s aim is a) to provide an adequate protection status for the site through its inclusion in the
European ecological network Natura 2000 established under the ‘Habitats’ directive 92/43/EEC (1), and b)
to ensure that the implementation of this Olympic facility and the future management of the area will be
done in a manner which will protect and restore the site’s wildlife value.

Since the Commission’s reply to the previous related written question E-1073/01 by the Honourable
Member, the Greek authorities submitted additional relevant documentation and further contacts with
them have been undertaken. This has resulted in an improvement to the design of the project so that
habitat loss is minimised and the restoration potential of the area is increased. Furthermore, progress has
been made towards the establishment of the national park.

C 147 E/164

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

However, certain elements regarding the implementation of the restoration programme for the wetland are
insufficient while the designation of
the area for the Natura 2000 network is still pending. The
Commission is therefore still unable to draw a definitive conclusion as to the compatibility of the overall
scheme with the nature conservation value of the site, and has now raised these issues with the Greek
authorities so that a satisfactory solution can be reached soon.

(1) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora

OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2002/C 147 E/171)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3389/01

by Pasqualina Napoletano (PSE) to the Commission

(6 December 2001)

Subject: Appointment of OLAF magistrates

In view of the outcome of the competition to fill a number of posts within OLAF and, in particular, the
suitability of Judges Vaudano, Piacente and Perduca,

in view of
independence with regard to the selection of officials,

the statements made by OLAF’s Director-General,

Judge Brüner, on his organisation’s

in view of the obstacles placed by the Italian Government in the way of the transfer of these magistrates,
based on its opposition as a matter of principle to the presence of magistrates within OLAF, contrary to
the position taken on the matter by the European Commission and the European Parliament and to the
attitude of the other Member States,

Will the Commission state how it intends to respond to the Italian Government’s approach, which calls
into question the basic composition of OLAF?

What measures does it intend to take in order to ensure that the posts assigned to the three magistrates
following their success in the competition remain open for them until such times as their position is
clarified?

Answer given by Ms Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(18 January 2002)

In its Decision of 28 April 1999 establishing the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) (1), the Commission
states that the Office is in direct contact with the police and judicial authorities for the purposes of
implementing Regulations (EC) Nos 1073/1999 and 1074/1999 (2) and of
the
procedure provided for in Article 7 of the Second Protocol (3) of the Convention on the protection of the
European Communities’ financial interests (4).

taking into account

In order to achieve these objectives and take account of the situation on the ground, the Commission, in
its communication of 28 June 2000 (5), made clear its intention to enhance the penal judicial dimension as
one of the main thrusts of its overall strategy to protect the EU’s financial interests.

To that end, the Commission specified that the ‘European Anti-Fraud Office will develop its mission of
improve its role of advice, assistance and
liaison and penal
coordination to support and supplement national action in the area of criminal prosecutions of serious
offences harmful to the Communities’ financial interests’.

judicial expertise’ and,

in so doing,

‘will

When presented, this strategy was welcomed by the Council and Parliament, which approved of the
presence of magistrates within the Office in order to strengthen the penal
judicial dimension of its
activities and to facilitate liaison with national authorities.

The recruitment of magistrates referred to by the Honourable Member is part of the strategy. It is for the
appointing authority to conclude employment contracts.