WRITTEN QUESTION E-3628/02 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Construction of a museum in Rizari grove.
Date: 2002-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, area management, environmental impact, environmental protection, green area, impact study, museum

10.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 161 E/119

Mr Sok Yoeun has appealed against the extradition sentence and the Honourable Member will understand
that the Commission cannot interfere in a judicial process ongoing in a sovereign state. The Commission is
following developments in the case and is in close contact with government authorities, with the United
Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), and the representatives of the Member States in
Thailand and in Cambodia. The Commission believes that there are reasonable prospects that a positive
solution, based on humanitarian considerations, can be found on this matter.

The Commission, together with the Member States, closely monitors the political and human rights
situation in Cambodia. The Union has undertaken several démarches recently to express its concern about
the situation of human rights to the Royal Government of Cambodia.

The Community is supporting non-governmental organisations (NGO) initiatives aimed at protecting and
promoting human rights in Cambodia through the European Initiative for Human Rights and Democracy.
Indicative Programme for Cambodia 2002-2004 provides for funding of
Furthermore,
EUR 10 million for a good governance programme which will be established shortly.

the National

(2003/C 161 E/121)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3628/02

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 December 2002)

Subject: Construction of a museum in Rizari grove

Following a special arrangement made with the Greek Parliament by the Ministry of Culture, Rizari grove
(which is one of the last green spaces left in the centre of Athens) has been conditionally transferred to the
Goulandri Foundation (bypassing the prior decision by the Greek Council of State to the opposite effect) so
that a museum of contemporary art can be built there.

Since this project exceeds 6 000 square metres, could the Commission say whether an environmental
impact assessment and an authorisation of environmental conditions have been drawn up as required by
Directive 97/11/EC (1)?

(1) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2003)

Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and
private projects on the environment (1), as amended by Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (2), requires
Member States to adopt all measures necessary to ensure that, before consent is given, projects likely to
have significant effects on the environment by virtue, inter alia, of their nature, size or location are made
subject to a requirement for development consent and an assessment with regard to their effects. Such
projects are defined in Article 4, which refers to Annexes I and II to the Directive.

However, construction of museums does not appear in the annexes to Directive 85/337/EEC, which is
therefore not applicable in this particular case. This is a matter for the Greek authorities, which alone are
responsible for deciding what action to take with regard to the project in accordance with Greek law.

(1) OJ C 175, 5.7.1985.
(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.