WRITTEN QUESTION E-0430/02 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Illegal practice of unions of agricultural cooperatives in Greece concerning payment of Community aid to farmers.
Date: 2002-02-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, agricultural cooperative, aid to agriculture, labour relations

C 205 E/138

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.8.2002

(2002/C 205 E/148)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0429/02

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 February 2002)

Subject: Upgrading of institutes of technology

An intense debate is taking place in Greece over the upgrading of institutes of technology. Without any in-
depth consultation with the academic community, the government decided to convert the institutes of
technology into institutions of higher education, which has raised legitimate questions in the minds of
university teachers and students alike.

Will the Commission say in which of the Member States institutes of technology are exactly and in all
respects equal to institutions of higher education? Are students in institutions of higher education in the
other Member States absolutely equal,
in financial and institutional terms, to students in institutes of
technology? Are the teachers at institutes of technology absolutely equal to university lecturers? Under
current Community legislation, what conditions must institutes of technology fulfil to be absolutely equal
to institutions of higher education? In conclusion, can they become absolutely equal to institutions of
higher education simply by being upgraded?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2002)

According to Article 149 of the EC Treaty, the Community must fully respect the responsibility of the
Member States for the organisation of their education systems.

The matter raised in the written question is therefore outside the Community’s jurisdiction.

(2002/C 205 E/149)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0430/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 February 2002)

Subject: Illegal practice of unions of agricultural cooperatives in Greece concerning payment of Community

aid to farmers

According to complaints made by farmers and written statements by representatives of
farming
associations submitted to the Public Prosecutor, some unions of agricultural cooperatives in Greece
illegally and coercively withhold part of the Community subsidies paid to farmers. The Commission is
aware of this matter and has informed me that it is considering referring Greece to the European Court of
Justice.

A new piece of information has now also come to light. Not only do some unions of agricultural
cooperatives force farmers to sign supposedly voluntary declarations authorising the unions to withhold
between 2 % and 5 % of their subsidies, they also, in the event of farmers refusing to sign, refuse to fill in
the forms relating to stocks and destination, which are essential documents required for payment of the
subsidies. According to the complaints, typical examples are the unions of agricultural cooperatives of
Apokorono-Sfakia and Maleme in Crete.

Since the practice followed by some unions of agricultural cooperatives is increasingly at variance with
Community legislation, what action will the Commission take in this regard?

29.8.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 205 E/139

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(25 March 2002)

The situation described in the question made by the Honourable Member results from a private
the
relationship between the agricultural cooperatives and their members.
Commission views are that Community law has not been contravened. For further information the
Honourable Member should refer to the Commission’s answers to written questions E-0128/02 from
Mr Alavanos (1) and E-0238/02 from Mr Trakatellis and other (2).

In the circumstances

(1) OJ C 172 E, 18.7.2002, p. 148.
(2) See page 99.

(2002/C 205 E/150)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0431/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 February 2002)

Subject: Failure of programme to build marinas in Greece < problems with the ‘tourism’ subprogramme of

the 2nd CSF

As the Commission will be aware, a decision was taken under the ‘tourism’ subprogramme of the 2nd CSF
to build four marinas in Greece (at Zakynthos, Ikaria, Argostoli and Thassos) with the public sector
contributing 18 million euro and the private sector 13 million euro. The works commenced in 1996. One
year after the start (1997), it was thought advisable to carry out a feasibility study, which showed the
works were feasible. Three years after (1999), it was thought in regard to the private sector’s involvement
that the model used up to that point (direct
intervention by EOT < the Greek National Tourism
Organisation) should be changed and the services of a financial consultant engaged. The consultant was
appointed, he signed a contract, requested further investment and, although he was required to present the
details of the tenders to be invited from the private sector (for the exploitation of the marinas) by
7 December 2001, he has not yet done so. In the meantime, the only section of the Zakynthos marina
under construction is nowhere near completion and, needless to say, there is no mention of private sector
involvement. On Ikaria, one third of the budget was spent simply pouring concrete into the sea, after
which the project was abandoned. On Thassos, the project was scaled down because of problems with the
fuel tank, the windward jetty, the markings, etc.

1. What does the Commission intend to do to tackle these problems?

2. What is the current situation with regard to the ‘tourism’ subprogramme of the 2nd CSF in Greece?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 2002)

The Commission would note first of all that the correct implementation of projects is a matter for the
national authorities.

It is aware of the difficulties encountered in the part-financing of the four marinas mentioned by the
Honourable Member included in the ‘Tourism’ sub-programme of the ‘Tourism and Culture’ operational
programme under the Community support framework (CSF) for Greece in the 1994-1999 programming
period. It has already exchanged correspondence with the Greek authorities about these problems.

As far as the accounts of the ‘Tourism’ sub-programme in the 2nd CSF in Greece are concerned, under
Regulation (EEC) No 2082/93, the date of eligibility of expenditure incurred for projects in the 1994-1999
programming period is 31 December 2001.

The Member States are required to send the final applications for payment and supporting documents for
approval by 30 June 2002.