WRITTEN QUESTION E-2349/02 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Protection of the Skhinia wetlands.
Date: 2002-07-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Central Greece, EU environmental policy, biotope, environmental protection, humid zone, protected area

C 28 E/226

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

One of the fundamental demands of the Parliament in the framework of the discussion on the PVC Green
Paper has been that the Commission should present a proposal for a framework on environmental
agreements.

On 17 July 2002 the Commission adopted a Communication on Environmental Agreements at
Community Level (1).

In this Communication, the Commission states that an early candidate for an environmental agreement
could be the PVC strategy. The Commission will propose a Communication on this PVC strategy in the
near future.

(1) COM(2002) 412 final.

(2003/C 28 E/256)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2349/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Protection of the Skhinia wetlands

(30 July 2002)

The Commission indicated that a definite answer would not be given to my questions (P-2323/00 (1) and
E-0332/01 (2)) concerning the inclusion of Skhinia (Attica) in Natura 2000 and the protection of the
wetlands until after it had investigated the relevant file, and adopted a position ‘taking into account the
conservation value of the site, and the elements supplied by the Greek authorities …’.

Since there is an official complaint pending with the Commission and the Greek State Council has rejected
an appeal by environmental organisations because it was not submitted in time, can the Commission say
whether, for its part, it has investigated this case and whether there are any new developments?

(1) OJ C 72 E, 6.3.2001, p. 193.
(2) OJ C 261 E, 18.9.2001, p. 82.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

In dealing with the complaint on the construction of the Olympic rowing and canoeing centre at Schinias-
Marathon in Greece, the Commission’s aim was a) to afford to the site an adequate protection status
through its inclusion in the Natura 2000 ecological network established under Directive 92/43/EEC (1), and
b) to ensure that the installation of the Olympic rowing and canoeing facilities and the future management
of the area will be done in a manner which will protect and restore the site’s wildlife value.

the
Since the Commission’s reply to the previous related questions (P-2323/00 and E-0332/01) of
Honourable Member, the Greek authorities have submitted additional relevant documentation and further
contacts with them were undertaken. This has enabled them to improve the design of the project so that
habitat loss is minimised and the ecological quality of the area is increased through the implementation of
the restoration project. Furthermore, progress has been made towards the establishment of the National
Park by the publication of the Joint Ministerial Decision for the Administration and the Management Plan
of the National Park. Certain elements regarding the implementation of the restoration programme for the
wetland and the time framework for all the proposed works have been clarified further. Regarding the
establishment and operation of the Management Body of the National Park, it has to be noted that national
legislation (Presidential Decree) is pending.

In addition, in August 2002, the Greek authorities have proposed the area of Schinias-Marathon as a Site
of Community Interest, submitting to the Commission the Standard Data Forms for the site, a digital map
and a support file which were required for the proposal of the site to the Natura 2000 network. These
documents are currently under examination by the Commission.

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Consequently, it appears that important progress has been achieved so far. The Commission will be able to
draw a meaningful conclusion as to the compatibility of the overall proposal with the nature conservation
value of the site and to judge if the proposal is satisfactory, after the examination of the recently submitted
information. This does not exclude the possibility that the Commission might raise some supplementary
issues with the Greek authorities, especially those concerning the establishment, operation and funding of
the Management Body of the National Park Schinias-Marathon.

(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, p. 7).

(2003/C 28 E/257)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2355/02

by Ieke van den Burg (PSE) to the Commission

(31 July 2002)

Subject: Exclusion from health insurance in Belgium (cid:1) ‘resident system’

Is the Commission aware that Dutch pensioners living in Belgium are denied access to the Belgian
1.
medical insurance scheme as ‘persons entered in the national register of natural persons’ (hereafter referred
to as the ‘resident system’) if they are or may be entitled to health care under a foreign scheme?

Is the Commission aware that the exclusion from the Belgian resident system also applies if the
2.
persons concerned can opt for admission to a voluntary insurance scheme, such as the voluntary insurance
cover provided for by the Exceptional Medical Expenses Act (AWZB) in the Netherlands?

Does the Commission not consider it unacceptable that because the AWZB in the Netherlands
3.
provides only partial cover for medical expenses and the health insurance system in the country of
residence, Belgium, does not provide for a complementary package, which firstly makes joining the AWZB
voluntary scheme virtually compulsory and secondly means that the persons concerned are denied the
possibility of insuring themselves in their country of residence exclusively against the risk of medical
expenses not covered by the AWZB voluntary scheme, those concerned have to insure themselves twice,
or (cid:1) if they are unable to obtain cover on the private health insurance market (cid:1) are denied adequate
protection against the risks of medical expenses? How should application of the Belgian regulations be
seen in relation to Article 13, paragraph 2, point (f) of Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71?

4.
If the Belgian resident system is to be classified as voluntary or optional continued insurance, how
does application of the relevant legislation by Belgium accord with Article 15, paragraph 2, of Regulation
(EEC) No 1408/71, under which the persons concerned are free to opt for the scheme of their choice if
application of the legislations of two or more Member States entails overlapping of two or more systems
of voluntary or optional continued insurance?

Response given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 2002)

In accordance with Belgian legislation regarding compulsory health insurance, different categories of
In the main these people are in employment or in receipt of a
people are entitled to healthcare.
replacement income. Furthermore,
in order to include all persons resident in Belgium, those on the
national register are also entitled to cover. However, any person who is or may be entitled to healthcare
under another Belgian or foreign scheme does not qualify for this option.

This would appear to be the case with Dutch pensioners who can voluntarily join the Dutch insurance
scheme established under the Exceptional Medical Expenses Act. As a result they are excluded from the
Belgian scheme for persons on the national register because they may be entitled to healthcare under a
foreign health insurance scheme.