WRITTEN QUESTION E-1712/03 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Community funding of works and provision of rolling stock in Greece.
Date: 2003-05-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EIB loan, EU financing, European Union, Greece, Olympic games, image, vehicle on rails

C 33 E/156

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2004

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(14 July 2003)

The Commission is aware of the facts mentioned by the Honourable Member in connection with the
project for the Cantabria-Meseta motorway

In 1997 a complaint was made regarding this road because of the alleged wrong application of Directive
85/337/EEC (1) on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment,
as amended by Directive 97/11/EC (2).

When the Commission investigated the case, it ascertained that the Spanish authorities had conducted an
impact assessment for this project in accordance with the abovementioned Directive. The complaint was
therefore closed.

The complainants recently expressed their concern about changes to particular sections of the road.

Modifications to a motorway section are covered by Annex II-12 to the abovementioned Directive 85/337/
EEC. The projects included in this Annex are those referred to in Article 4(2) of the Directive which must
accordingly be subject to an impact assessment if Member States consider that their characteristics so
require.

This Directive is of a procedural nature and obliges Member States to conduct an impact assessment on
particular projects which could have significant adverse effects on the environment. Once the assessment
has been completed, the competent authority decides whether or not the project will be carried out. The
Commission does not have the power to impose the choice of a specific section on a Member State. This
choice is exclusively up to the national competent authorities.

According to the information available, the motorway does not cross or border on any site proposed by
the Spanish authorities as a site of Community importance pursuant to Council Directive 92/43/EEC of
21 May 1992 (3).

Consequently, and taking account of the fact that the motorway project has been subject to the mandatory
impact assessment procedure as required by the abovementioned Directive, the Commission has no power
to intervene in this case as it has not been able to establish any infringement of Community law.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.
(3) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2004/C 33 E/153)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1712/03

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 May 2003)

Subject: Community funding of works and provision of rolling stock in Greece

Is the EU funding (whether directly or indirectly, through grants or loans, such as through the EIB) the
building of Olympic sports facilities in Greece or the construction and completion of projects connected
with facilitating the 2004 Olympic Games? If so, is the Commission satisfied with the progress made?

Is the EU funding (again directly or indirectly, through grants or loans) the provision of new rolling stock
(for buses and trams) for public transport in Athens or other Greek cities? If so, should there not be a
mention of this fact (for example in the form of information panels) on the vehicles purchased with
Community part-financing?

6.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/157

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(4 July 2003)

The Union is contributing to certain Olympic sports facilities via a loan made available by the European
Investment Bank (EIB), in particular for the renovation of the Olympic Stadium in Maroussi and the press
centre located nearby.

The Union is also contributing to the construction of various public transport facilities in the greater
Athens area under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The projects concerned areas follows (figures are the indicative ERDF contributions):

(cid:1) the extension of the ‘blue’ subway line from the Defense Ministry to Spata Airport (EUR 90 million);

(cid:1) the construction of two tram lines, from the Zappeion to Paleo Faliron and from Neo Faliron to

Glyfada (EUR 173 million);

(cid:1) the construction of the suburban railway from Spata Airport via Stavros to the ‘SKA’ railway node

close to Acharnes (EUR 342 million);

(cid:1) the completion of the ‘Attiki odos’ ring road, from Spata Airport via Stavros and the northern suburbs

to Eleusina (EUR 476 million);

(cid:1) the renovation of the ‘green’ subway line Piraeus-Kifissia (EUR 42 million);

(cid:1) the renewal of the Athens bus and trolley fleet (EUR 79 million).

The purpose of these projects is to contribute to the modernisation and extension of infrastructure
endowments in Greece. However, their timely completion could greatly facilitate the handling of the
expected traffic increase related to the Olympic Games. The realisation of the projects in time for the
Olympic Games is a priority for the Greek authorities.

Concerning the co-funding of the renewal of the Athens bus and trolley fleet, the normal requirements
relating to information and publicity apply.

(2004/C 33 E/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1718/03

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 May 2003)

Subject: Child protection in sport

Decision No 291/2003/EC (1) of
the Council of 6 February 2003
the European Parliament and of
established the European Year of Education through Sport 2004. This is a welcome initiative from the EU,
giving the sports sector an important role in promoting education and health across the EU.

Sport is an extremely important social and educational tool for the millions of children who take part in
sports activities across the EU every day. However, it is vital that children are given the proper protection
and respect when taking part in all sports activities and events. The European Commission will be aware
that a growing number of cases of sexual, physical and emotional abuse of children and young people are
being reported in the sports sector. In the light of this, does the European Commission intend taking any
action to help promote the protection of children and young people involved in sports?

Would the Commission support the establishment of minimum standards to ensure that the EU sports
sector is in a position to act on reports of abuse in order to protect and safeguard the children and young
people in its care?

(1) OJ L 43, 18.2.2003, p. 1.