WRITTEN QUESTION E-0129/02 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Ethnological Museum of Thrace.
Date: 2002-02-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, cultural heritage, museum, operational programme, social and cultural anthropology

18.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/149

Moreover, in an EAGGF audit report of 12 November 2001 (Enquiry number: FA/20a/GR) following a
mission to Greece from 5 to 8 November 2001 it is stated that a Joint Ministerial Circular of 22 October
2001 requires that beneficiaries are to receive full payment in their bank account. For 2001 campaigns/
harvests beneficiaries were asked to provide their bank account details. The mission team was informed
that from 1 January 2002 claims were not to be accepted unless they included a bank account number.
Assurances were given that beneficiaries could freely choose their bank. Further EAGGF missions to follow
up this and other matters are planned.

2.

The answer to the second question posed by the Honourable Member must be in the affirmative.

(1) Bent Jensen and Korn- og Foderstofkompagniet A/S v. landbrugsministeriet 3 EF 3 Direktoraded. Case C-132/95

ECR 1998 page I-2975.

(2) OJ L 181, 1.7.1992.

(2002/C 172 E/155)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0129/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 February 2002)

Subject: Ethnological Museum of Thrace

In Alexandropoulis, a number of private individuals involved in researching, recording and collecting
material related to the traditional way of life in Thrace are endeavouring to set up an Ethnological Museum
to promote the study and status of traditional local culture.

Although most organisational problems have been overcome, such as the restoration of a traditional
building to house the museum, the collection of more than 2000 objects dating back to 1681 and the
development of integrated material using modern techniques of recording and presentation (video etc),
there are financial difficulties involved in completing the entire project and in digitalising a new study
tracing 18 000 refugees in the region from the early 20th century who were dispersed over more than
1 000 different locations in Thrace.

Is this kind of research eligible for funding and, if so, under which programmes? In what way could the
Commission assist in completing this project so that the museum can operate properly for the benefit of
local population and visitors to Thrace?

Answer given by Ms Reding on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2002)

The Commission supports initiatives in the area of culture,
including the protection, preservation and
development of the cultural heritage within the framework, and according to the selection criteria, of the
‘Culture 2000’ programme, which is the Union’s only financing and planning instrument in the area of
cultural cooperation. The Honourable Member will find further information at the following site: http://
europa.eu.int/comm/culture/index_en.html.

The Commission would point out to the Honourable Member that a call for proposals for projects to be
organised in 2003 will be published in the Official Journal in the first half of 2002. Consequently, cultural
operators will be free to submit their projects so that they can be considered for funding.

Moreover, the Structural Funds may provide a financial contribution to the cultural projects of this region
under the Culture and East Macedonia-Thrace operational programmes (OPs).

The Culture OP of the Community Support Framework for Greece in the 2000-2006 programming period
has a total budget of € 605 million. It is designed to encourage the protection and promotion of the
cultural heritage of Greece and the development of modern Greek culture. Measure 2,8 3 ‘Infrastructure
for culture’ 3 of the regional OP for East Macedonia-Thrace for this period has a budget of € 17,6 million

C 172 E/150

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2002

the protection and promotion of archaeological sites, historical
and may co-finance projects for
monuments and other infrastructure of cultural interest to the region, as well as measures to protect and
develop local cultural traditions and heritage.

As far as the granting of this Community assistance is concerned, the Commission would remind the
Honourable Member that, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, both the selection of projects
and the implementation and management of programmes co-financed under the Structural Funds are the
responsibility of the Member States. Additional
information may be obtained from either the Greek
Ministry of Culture (help.desk@ma.culture.gr) or the authorities that manage the regional operational
programme (nikobomb@mou.gr).

(2002/C 172 E/156)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0133/02

by Carlos Carnero González (PSE) to the Commission

(4 February 2002)

Subject: Statements on nuclear power by Commissioner de Palacio

The statements in support of nuclear power in Europe made yesterday in Madrid by Commissioner Loyola
de Palacio have been widely reported in the Spanish media.

Bearing in mind that public opinion in Europe is highly sensitive to the question of the future of nuclear
power, and given the valid differences of opinion on this matter and the forceful nature of Mrs de Palacio’s
remarks, it is vital that the Commission provide some explanations.

Are these statements Mrs Palacio’s own opinions or do they reflect the position of the Commission? Does
the Commission not think that the Commissioner responsible for energy should exercise greater caution
when discussing such matters, not least to avoid confusion between personal opinions and Commission
policy? Does it not think that these remarks could jeopardise the debate on the Green Paper on energy?

(2002/C 172 E/157)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0187/02

by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(6 February 2002)

Subject: Commission statements in favour of nuclear power

Of the 15 European Union Member States, seven at present have no nuclear power stations. In some cases
(e.g. Italy) this is the result of a referendum. Other Member States, such as Sweden, have also consulted
their voters and intend to phase out their nuclear power stations. A similar situation applies in Germany,
where, after complex negotiations, the government and the electricity companies have agreed on a
timetable for the closure of all nuclear power stations. No reactor is currently being constructed in any EU
Member State, while Spain shut down its last operating uranium mine in 2000. For some years now it has
been clear from all opinion polls that public opinion in the EU is strongly opposed to nuclear power.

In the light of the above what are the Commission’s reasons for its statements in favour of nuclear power?

Does the Commission consider it a reasonable policy to reaffirm support for an energy source which is
rejected by European public opinion and by a considerable number of governments in the Union?