WRITTEN QUESTION P-1932/03 by Dirk Sterckx (ELDR) to the Commission. Olympic Airways.
Date: 2003-06-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, State aid, air transport, application of EU law, control of State aid, legal action

C 51 E/162

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

26.2.2004

In the framework of the regular EU dialogue meetings with both the Government of the Sudan (GoS) and
the SPLM/A, the EU emphasises that they have to comply with the basic principles of humanitarian and
human rights.

Since the suspension of its cooperation with the Sudan in 1990 the EU has been limiting its assistance to
humanitarian activities, emergency relief and food aid. In December 2000, the EU launched the so-called
‘humanitarian plus’ programme which was designed to go beyond a strictly humanitarian approach and
was also aimed at rehabilitation needs in the more stable areas of the North and South of Sudan.

Following the signature of the Machakos Agreement in July last year, the priority for the EU in its relations
with the Sudan has been the promotion of a comprehensive peace settlement which would also be
conducive to the improvement of the situation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and favour their
return and resettlement in their region of origin.

The Council does not have any concrete information on the supply of expensive high-technology
weaponry to the warring parties in the Sudan, but recalls that the Council decision of 15 March 1994
purposing an embargo on arms, ammunition and military equipment on the Sudan is still in force.

(2004/C 51 E/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1932/03

by Dirk Sterckx (ELDR) to the Commission

(5 June 2003)

Subject: Olympic Airways

Various sources allege that Greece continues to tolerate conduct such as that set out in Article 2 of the
Commission Decision of 11 December 2002 on Olympic Airways. What action has the Commission taken
since December 2002 to ensure that Greece and OA put an end to such conduct (e.g. tolerance of
persistent non-payment of social security contributions, etc.)?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2003)

On 11 December 2002, the Commission indeed adopted a decision against Greece for State aid granted to
Olympic Airways. The Decision concluded that State aid previously granted by Greece and authorised by
the Commission in 1998 was incompatible with the EC Treaty as the relevant conditions had not been
met; it also found that Olympic Airways had been receiving new unlawful aid. The Greek Government was
informed of the Commission Decision on 13 December 2002.

The Greek authorities were given two months in which to recover the incompatible and unlawful aid. That
period expired on 13 February 2003.

Correspondence between the Commission and the Greek authorities between February and March 2003
revealed that no concrete action had been taken by the Greek Government. On 23 April 2003, therefore,
the Commission decided to bring the case before the Court of Justice for failure to apply its Decision on
Olympic Airways.

In addition to this legal action, the Commission continues to remind the Greek Government at regular
intervals of its obligations under the Commission Decision of 11 December 2002.