WRITTEN QUESTION E-3365/03 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Regeneration of the Psyrri district.
Date: 2003-11-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Attica, EU financing, cultural heritage, heritage protection, town planning

C 78 E/806

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

Denmark, Spain, Italy, Austria, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Since then, Ireland has also adopted
transposition measures. The Commission will
in
accordance with its normal procedures, against Member States which fail to notify transposition measures
also in relation to the ePrivacy Directive.

therefore be opening infringement proceedings,

However, the Commission remains committed to using all available means to help resolve implementation
problems with the Member States, and does not intend to rely on infringement proceedings alone. In this
regard, the Commission continues to work together with the Member States’ authorities and, in particular,
with the independent national regulatory authorities, with a view to achieving consistent application of the
framework throughout the Union. Such co-operation takes place in the Communications Committee
(COCOM) and the European Regulators Group (ERG) as well as in the Radio Spectrum Committee (RSC)
and the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG), but also in bilateral meetings with the Member States.

(1) Since that date Spain has adopted transposition measures and the infringement proceedings in respect of that

Member State will therefore be closed upon notification to the Commission of the measures concerned.

(2) See Commission Press Release IP/03/1356 of 8.10.2003.
(3) Directive 2002/58/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal
data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic
communications), OJ L 201, 31.7.2002.

(2004/C 78 E/0855)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3365/03

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 November 2003)

Subject: Regeneration of the Psyrri district

One of the projects being undertaken in Athens with some Community funding with a view to unifying
the archaeological sites is the so-called regeneration of the Psyrri district; it forms part of the old city and
had low buildings, narrow streets and a working-class population pursuing traditional economic activities.
Unfortunately, this regeneration is increasingly displacing the original inhabitants and traditional craftsmen
and leading to the completely uncontrolled development of nightclubs which are a source of great
inconvenience and pollution. Those directly affected have increasingly complained and made represen-
tations to the authorities, but without any result so far, despite the fact that it is generally recognised that
infringements and illegal activities have taken place in the Psyrri district.

Will the Commission say whether it was aware of any planning objectives of this regeneration before
financing the projects, whether
it has monitored their
‘implementation’? How is it possible for Community funds to be used to carry out projects which are
destroying the urban and economic fabric at the very centre of the Greek capital?

it had given its approval and whether

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(12 January 2004)

The integration of the Athens archaeological sites is one of the priorities included in the third Community
Support Framework for Greece and is implemented by way of a series of projects. These projects concern
the renovation of the sites and related cultural activities. As it does not concern projects in the sense of
chapter V (‘major projects’) of the Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down
general provisions on the Structural Funds (1), the national authorities are responsible for the selection of
individual projects. The detailed planning and implementation is a matter for the designated managing
authorities of the relevant programmes, in particular the operational programme ‘Culture’ and the regional
operational programme ‘Attica’.

According to the information currently available to the Commission, no commercial activities of the kind
described in the question of the Honourable Member have been supported under the programmes
concerned.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.