WRITTEN QUESTION E-2942/02 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Monitoring the implementation of rail projects in Greece.
Date: 2002-10-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community support framework, EU control, European Regional Development Fund, Greece, modernisation aid, operational programme, rail network, use of aid

12.6.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137 E/133

Will the Commission say what progress has been made in the above proceedings?

Has it received any reply from the city of Madrid authorities on this matter?

What specific measures will it take to resolve this matter and ensure that Community law is observed?

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(2 December 2002)

Following the Commission’s own-initiative institution of infringement proceedings and the sending of a
reasoned opinion to the Spanish authorities,
the various autonomous communities have made a
considerable effort over the last two years to designate special protection areas for birds.

Examination of the designations notified to the Commission shows that a number of autonomous
communities have already complied with the requirements of Council Directive 79/409/EEC of
2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds, others are close to complying and another group still
has a good deal of designation work to do.

The Madrid Community has already designated seven new special protection areas, with the result that
23 % of its territory now has special protection area designation.

The Commission will decide during this month what further action to take in these proceedings.

(2003/C 137 E/152)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2942/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Monitoring the implementation of rail projects in Greece

(18 October 2002)

In reply to an earlier question of mine (P-3141/01 (1)) and a question by my colleague, Mr Folias
(P-3122/01 (2)), the Commission highlighted a number of problems encountered in carrying out projects
funded under the 2nd CSF to modernise the rail network in Greece and said that it would carry out checks
to ascertain whether Community appropriations had been properly used.

What stage has been reached with these checks and what conclusions have been drawn?

(1) OJ C 147 E, 20.6.2002, p. 112.
(2) OJ C 147 E, 20.6.2002, p. 103.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(25 November 2002)

The Commission has not yet received the declaration and the related documents from the Member State
for the closure of the Operational Programme (OP) ‘Railways’ of the Community Support Framework
1994-1999 for Greece.

The Commission, assisted by outside experts, undertook an audit of ERGOSE in the period June-September
2002. As part of this, they also carried out a control of a number of projects financed by the OP ‘Railways’
1994-1999. A report on the results of this control will soon be sent to the Greek Authorities, which
should then communicate to the Commission their comments and observations. The Commission, after
having examined the comments of the Greek Authorities, will draw its final conclusions from the above
mentioned control.