WRITTEN QUESTION E-0940/03 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Construction of a hotel complex on the islet of Alata and environmental consequences.
Date: 2003-03-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Thessaly, application of EU law, coastal region, environmental impact, environmental protection, hotel industry, project evaluation, tourist infrastructure

21.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 280 E/113

In addition to official documents, the Europa website (http://europa.eu.int) offers the public a large volume
of unofficial information. The Commission’s aim here, subject to technical constraints and the availability
of human and budgetary resources,
is to do its utmost to give the general public access in whatever
language they choose. This will still be a priority objective after the forthcoming enlargement.

(1) OJ B 17, 6.10.1958.

(2003/C 280 E/128)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0919/03

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) and Gerardo Galeote Quecedo (PPE-DE) to the Council

Subject: Release by the Netherlands authorities of Mullah Krekar

(24 March 2003)

Is the Council aware that
international Islamic organisation Ansar al-Islam?

the Netherlands authorities have released Mullah Krekar,

leader of

the

Is the Council aware that Mullah Krekar, who was arrested at Amsterdam airport after being expelled from
Iran is currently in Norway where he has refugee status?

Is the Council aware that the terrorist organisation headed by Mullah Krekar is said to have produced and
tested chemical and biological weapons, including ricin, a lethal toxin for which there is currently no
vaccine?

What action will the Council take to counteract Mullah Krekar’s activities and prevent him from ever
entering the European Union, thereby ensuring that in future he is unable to move around within the EU
as he did in the years leading up to his arrest?

What action will it take to ensure that Norway keeps a watchful eye on the activities of Mullah Krekar’s
and his organisation, which seems to be recruiting many of the Al-Qa’ida members who escaped from
Afghanistan?

Reply

(22 July 2003)

The questions raised by the Honourable Member have not been referred to the Council.

(2003/C 280 E/129)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0940/03

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 March 2003)

Subject: Construction of a hotel complex on the islet of Alata and environmental consequences

Local municipalities, environmental organisations and the Technical Chamber of Commerce of Magnesia
have expressed alarm at the environmental damage likely to be caused by the tourist development of the
small island of Alata in the Pagasitikos Gulf.

Given that:

(cid:1) Agenda 21 considers small

islands sensitive and fragile ecosystems where strict environmental

protection measures are necessary and only sustainable development is permissible;

(cid:1) A small island of 50 hectares clearly cannot accommodate a 1 000-bed hotel and a whole complex of
facilities covering 33 000 square metres without suffering serious environmental consequences and
damage to the landscape;

C 280 E/114

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

21.11.2003

(cid:1) The small island in question is designated a natural protection area in the special regional planning

study for Pilion and the Northern Sporades;

(cid:1) Water supplies for the complex are problematical, given the shortage of local resources;

(cid:1) The collection of waste and traffic and the parking of lorries, tourist buses and private cars on the

mainland opposite the island pose serious problems;

the Commission say whether it considers that

Will
in question contributes to the
sustainable tourist development of the region and is compatible with Recommendation 2002/413/EC (1) of
the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone
Management in Europe?

the investment

(1) OJ L 148, 6.6.2002, p. 24.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 2003)

Recommendation 2002/413/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2002 on integrated
coastal zone management in Europe contains general principles for sustainable development of Europe’s
coastal zones, one of which is respecting the carrying capacity of ecosystems. But the Recommendation
also recognises the need for sustainable economic and employment opportunities, in which the tourism
sector has an important role to play. While it
islands are
particularly fragile, development projects are thus not precluded, but the acceptability of a specific local
development scheme depends on the balance between environmental, social and economic aspects.
Technical guidance for local carrying capacity assessment is provided in studies by the Commission and,
specifically for the Mediterranean area, in the Mediterranean Action Programme (1).

is internationally recognised that small

As for the specific environmental
impact of the construction project referred to by the Honourable
Member, Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 amending Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment
of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (2) as transposed into the Greek law
requires a complete environmental impact assessment for construction of hotels of this size.

(1) See respectively http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/iczm/home.htm

and http://www.pap-thecoastcentre.org/activities.html.

(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(2003/C 280 E/130)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0944/03

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Lessons learned from the BEST procedure

(26 March 2003)

The BEST procedure on education and training to encourage entrepreneurship within the Multiannual
Programme on Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (2001-2005) is intended to identify and compare the
various European initiatives to promote entrepreneurship within the educational system, from primary
school to university.

The final outcome of the scheme was due to become available in September 2002, including a general
summary of existing measures.

Now that September 2002 is well behind us, what lessons can be drawn from the BEST procedure and
what guidelines does the Commission intend to put forward as a result?