WRITTEN QUESTION E-2740/02 by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Athens airport.
Date: 2002-09-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, airport, customs regulations

14.8.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 192 E/73

(2003/C 192 E/071)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2721/02

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 September 2002)

Subject: Views expressed by Commissioner Patten regarding Albania

On 9 September 2002 Commissioner Chris Patten replied to my question E-1937/02 (1) to the effect that
the Commission knew of no international commitments by Albania regarding autonomy for the south of
the country.

The Commissioner’s statement is both startling and totally inaccurate. In view of the internationally agreed
Corfu Protocol of 17 May 1914 which was signed by ‘International Control Committee’ (of which Chris
Patten’s compatriot the British plenipotentiary Lamb was a member) and Albania. The protocol recognises
the right of the area concerned to separate administration, and guarantees the protection of Greek schools
and Christian churches in Albania. In October 1921, Albania became a member of the League of Nations
and the Albanian Government representative Fan Nali issued an official statement concerning respect by
Albania for the human, religious and ethnic rights of the Greek community of Northern Epirus. Albania
gave its agreement to the opening of Greek schools only to close them down later.

Why did the Commissioner maintain that he knew of no international commitments concerning autonomy
for Southern Albania given that such arrangements were agreed to by his own country and by the
Albanian authorities. Now that he and his staff (who appear to be placing him in a compromising
position) have been informed of the existence of the international protocol signed by the plenipotentiaries
of the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, France, Russia, Italy and Albania, what is his position? Why
does the EU not bring pressure to bear on Albania to implement the protocol so as to protect the human
rights of the Greek community in the south of the country?

(1) See page 34.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(23 December 2002)

The Commission is continuously monitoring the issue of minority protection, including the protection of
the Greek minority, in Albania. It is aware of the 1914 Corfu Protocol. As indicated on previous occasions,
the Commission considers that Albania’s attitude to this question is generally constructive. However, the
Commission is well aware that there is still room for improvement, and that Albania does not comply yet
with all international requirements in this field. This is why the Commission continues to encourage the
Albanian authorities to take concrete action rapidly to meet all international standards, and notably those
deriving from the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of National Minorities to which
Albania is a signatory. The next Consultative Task Force which will take place before the opening of the
SAA negotiations will provide the opportunity to raise this issue again.

(2003/C 192 E/072)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2740/02

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 September 2002)

Subject: Athens airport

The list of airports drawn up pursuant to Article 197 of Regulation 2454/93 (1), as announced by the
Commission, which meet the criteria to be designated and operate as ‘international Community airports’
includes ‘Athens airport’. To which Athens airport does the Commission refer?

(1) OJ L 253, 11.10.1993, p. 1.

C 192 E/74

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

14.8.2003

Answer from Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 2002)

The list of airports which correspond to the definition of ‘international Community airport’, published by
the Commission pursuant to Article 197 of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 (1), is drawn up on the basis of
Member States’ contributions. Originally published in 1993, this list is regularly updated in light of
changes communicated to the Commission.

The Commission is aware of the opening of the new Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport and the transfer
of airport activity from two terminals of the old Athens airport. At present, the Commission has still not
yet received any official notification on this matter from the Greek authorities and is currently making
efforts to obtain the relevant information from them in order to adjust the list of airports if necessary.

(1) Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993, laying down provisions for the implementation of
Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code (cid:1) OJ L 253, 11.10.1993.

(2003/C 192 E/073)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2767/02

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(1 October 2002)

Subject: CELEX (cid:1) public access to information about the activities and legislation of the European Union

The general public can obtain access to the European Communities’ database CELEX only:

(cid:1) either in return for a flat-rate subscription of EUR 1 140 per annum,

(cid:1) or by means of a ‘pay per view’ system, under which the average charge per document consulted is

around EUR 1,2.

How can the Commission justify this situation, particularly bearing in mind that various Community
provisions lay down that the public have a right to information concerning the activities and legislation of
the European Union, and that they have a right of equal access to it?

What will the Commission do to put an end to this violation of the rights of European citizens as swiftly
as possible, and if it is willing to take the requisite measures, when will it do so?

Answer given by Ms Reding on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 2002)

The general public has right of access to information on the legislative activity of the institutions and on
the legislation of the European Union through the EUR-Lex system. This Internet service has been entirely
free of charge since 1 January 2002 and all European legislation in force is thus freely accessible.

Development work is currently under way to make it possible, with the agreement of the institutions
concerned, for all preparatory acts drawn up in the course of a legislative procedure to be made available
in EUR-Lex even before their publication in the Official Journal. At present, these preparatory acts are
notified in the public registers of the Parliament, the Council and the Commission. Gradually, the full text
of these acts will be made accessible in EUR-Lex and through the registers. At the same time, a start has
been made on editorial work to make access more comprehensible for the citizen.

CELEX is not a simple means of access to legislative texts, but a database covering all
legislation,
preparatory work, case law and Parliamentary questions. The documents are systematically analysed,
indexed and linked. CELEX offers the possibility of conducting very advanced multicriteria searches and
can thus satisfy specific professional requirements. Celex also contains made-to-measure display functions,
such as the simultaneous display of a text in two languages, text zoom or the display of selected search
data. This requires a significant amount of investment which is partly financed through subscriptions and
licensing arrangements.