WRITTEN QUESTION P-3628/01 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Regional planning studies for the Cyclades.
Date: 2002-01-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, environmental impact, environmental protection, harbour installation, impact study, town and country planning

4.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 160 E/155

With reference to the second part of the question, concerning the connection between the contested
decision and the Directive’s labelling provisions, the Commission could not discover a direct link between
the two matters. Article 5 of
later than
27 October 2003 the origin of electricity produced from renewable energy sources (within the meaning of
the Directive), yet it does not require the application of specific support measures on their behalf.

the Directive obliges Member States to guarantee by not

(1) OJ L 283, 27.10.2001.

(2002/C 160 E/194)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3628/01

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Regional planning studies for the Cyclades

(8 January 2002)

Further to my Question E-1266/01 (1) to the Commission, I should like to draw attention to the fact that
the Greek government’s position on the protection of the region of Molos Marmaron on the island of
Paros is still unclear and that:

: the Greek Ornithological Society has drawn up a study (with funding from the Ministry for the
Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works) on the protection of threatened species of birds of
prey in Greece, and the region of Molos Marmaron on Paros is designated as one of the regions of
special importance for the survival of these birds;

: according to Document 48133/2208/15.05.01 of the Directorate-General for the Environment of the
Ministry for the Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works, the region of Molos exhibits
hydroscopic features and has small dispersed wetlands;

: the Greek Ministry of Agriculture’s Directorate for Environmental Protection has drawn up a
document confirming that it will be recommending the adoption of the plan and the protection
measures proposed by the Greek Ornithological Society.

In view of the above, can the Commission say whether Greece has abandoned plans for the construction
of a commercial harbour and whether it intends to protect the region in question? If this is not the case,
what does the Commission intend to do to protect the region of Molos?

(1) OJ C 364 E, 20.12.2001, p. 70.

Answer given by Ms Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 2002)

As it stated in its answer to the Honourable Member’s written question E-1266/01, the Commission is not
systematically consulted about the planning and implementation of medium-size infrastructure projects,
especially when they are not part-financed under the Structural Funds or the Cohesion Fund. The
Commission is therefore not in a position to say whether or not the Greek authorities are intending to
abandon plans for the construction of the said harbour.

A complaint concerning the planned construction of a commercial harbour in Molos Bay on the island of
Paros was received by the Commission and recorded under Number 2001/4260. Citing several EU
directives, the complainants argue that the project in question could seriously harm the environment.

On 29 November 2001, a letter was sent to the Greek authorities requesting information on the existence
of such a project, and in particular on compliance with the environmental
impact study approval
procedure and on the measures taken to prevent or limit any negative impact on the environment.

C 160 E/156

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.7.2002

Once it has received the Greek authorities’ response, and taking into consideration the information
provided by the Honourable Member,
there is any
incompatibility with Community provisions in force and will take whatever action it deems appropriate.

the Commission will examine whether or not

(2002/C 160 E/195)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3633/01

by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission

(11 January 2002)

Subject: Smuggling of cigarettes to Italy via Montenegro

In paragraph 30 of its resolution of 29 November 2001 on the 2000 report on measures to combat fraud
Parliament called on the Commission to take steps to secure from the Italian authorities an immediate
in the wake of two UCLAF missions to
report on the action they have taken after being provided,
Montenegro in 1996 and 1997, with evidence clearly identifying the organisers of smuggling operations.

Can the Commission state what moves it has made to comply with that call and can it summarise the key
findings of the report submitted by the competent Italian authorities and, in particular, state in how many
cases criminal proceedings have been opened against the organisers behind the smuggling operations?

Answer given by Ms Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(14 February 2002)

The Commission, via the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), is in close and constant contact with the
Italian police, customs and judicial authorities, notably the national anti-mafia directorate (DNA) where
organised crime in cigarette smuggling is concerned.

The missions to Montenegro referred to by the Honourable Member had significant results.

The documentation obtained during the 1996 mission led to some forty people being brought before the
public prosecutor by the Italian authorities for smuggling cigarettes from Montenegro.

The 1997 mission was carried out at the request of the Bari anti-mafia judicial authorities, as part of an
investigation launched in 1996 into cigarette smuggling from Montenegro and the laundering of the
profits generated by this criminal activity. The documentary evidence obtained during this mission was
used in the investigation which led, in November 1999, to the issue of 49 arrest warrants for smuggling
and money laundering. As part of the same investigation, in May 2000 the President of the Lugano Court
was arrested for corruption and in February 2001 the Bari
judicial authority issued 17 further arrest
warrants for cigarette smuggling, money laundering and mafia-type criminal association.

(2002/C 160 E/196)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3634/01

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Council

(11 January 2002)

Subject: History textbooks

Can the Council state whether steps have been taken to coordinate the content of the history textbooks
used in schools in the Member States?