WRITTEN QUESTION E-0575/04 by Philip Claeys (NI) to the Commission. Electioneering activities of Mrs Diamantopoulou.
Date: 2004-02-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commissioner, Greece, candidate, election campaign, fringe benefit, leave for political activities, parliamentary election, pay, regulations for civil servants

C 84 E/812

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

What steps is the Commission envisaging to protect local people during the building work?

Is the Commission providing funds for the construction of noise barriers?

Does the Commission intend to do anything to reduce the nuisance while construction work is going on?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(13 April 2004)

According to the current timetable of the Brenner base tunnel the construction of a pilot tunnel to explore
the geological situation on the entire tunnel length may start in 2006.

Any environmental impact during and after the construction phase is subject to a detailed Environmental
Impact Assessment required by the Italian and the Austrian law.

Initial environmental studies have revealed certain potential conflicting matters. The responsible environ-
mental authorities in Italy and Austria have already requested the close examination of those issues.

The measures necessary to minimize or avoid environmental nuisances during and after the construction
phase will be defined in the environmental impact statement on either side of the border. Those measures
will become part of the tunnel project and will in so far be subject to potential EU financial support.

In addition, the Commission-proposal of July 2003 to amend the ‘Eurovignette’ directive (1) suggests
explicitly that ‘any infrastructure costs designed to reduce nuisance related to noise’ be considered eligible
cost factors in calculating user fees.

As the Commission is not conducting the project, the measures will have to be implemented by the
project promoter,
i.e. the Brenner Base Tunnel EEIG (and future BBT SE) and followed by respective
national authorities.

(1) Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 1999/62/EC on the

charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures.

(2004/C 84 E/0907)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0575/04

by Philip Claeys (NI) to the Commission

(26 February 2004)

Subject: Electioneering activities of Mrs Diamantopoulou

According to press reports, Mrs Anna Diamantopoulou plans to resign temporarily from the Commission
so that she can campaign in the parliamentary elections in Greece. The Commissioner is apparently to play
an important role in the socialist party PASOK. Press reports suggest that during the campaign she will no
longer receive her salary as a Member of the European Commission. In the intervening period, her duties
in the Commission would be taken over by somebody else.

Is it usual for members of the European Commission to leave office temporarily in order to take part in
election campaigns in their home country? Are there precedents for this and, if so, what are they?

Does the Commission regard situations of this kind as good for its work?

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/813

Is there any truth in the reports that Mrs Diamantopoulou will receive no salary from the Commission
during the Greek election campaign?

During this period will she have access to the facilities afforded to her in her capacity as a Commissioner
(official car and driver and so on)?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(13 April 2004)

The Commission has always held the view that the exercise of the duties of a Member of the College is
incompatible with active participation as a candidate in an electoral campaign for a national parliament or
the European Parliament. This means that throughout such a campaign the Member of the Commission
must not take part in the work of the latter (1).

The aim has been to prevent conflicts of interest and to ensure that the Member of the Commission in
question enjoys complete freedom of action and speech while complying with the principle of collegiality.

Precedents were set by the Vice-President of the High Authority, Mr Etzel, in 1956, the Vice-President of
the EEC Commission, Mr Marjolin, in 1962, the President of the High Authority, Mr Malvestiti, in 1963,
the Vice-President of the EEC Commission, Mr Caron,
in 1963, the Member of the EC Commission,
Mr Deniau, in 1968, the Member of the EC Commission, Mr Hellwig, in 1969, the Member of the EC
Commission, Mr Spinelli, in 1976, and the Member of the EC Commission, Mr O’Kennedy, in 1982, all of
whom did not take part in the work of the Commission during their participation as candidates in
electoral campaigns.

Since suspension of her duties on a Commission decision, Ms Diamantopoulou has not received a salary or
any other kind of remuneration from the Commission.

(1) See, in particular, answers to Written Questions E-0124/68, OJ C 83, 23.8.1968, E-0858/76, OJ C 70, 21.3.1977

and P-2752/94, OJ C 88, 10.4.1995.

(2004/C 84 E/0908)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0579/04

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 February 2004)

Subject: Vasova lagoon

Further to my written question E-1307/02 (1) on fuel storage tank installations in Vasova lagoon, I should
like to provide the Commission with the following latest
to facilitate its
investigations. Vasova lagoon, which forms part of the Delta of the river Nestos and the Keramoti lagoon,
was put forward by Greece under code GR 1150010 as a site of Community interest pursuant to Directive
92/43/EEC (2). However,
instead of the whole lagoon being included in the National Park of Eastern
Macedonia-Thrace and being protected as an integral part of the ecosystem of the Nestos Delta, it is being
totally excluded from the protection areas, even formally. Moreover, the area earmarked for the storage
tank installations has now been increased sixfold and is being excluded from the National Park, contrary to
the provisions of the Park’s founding act in 1996.

information in order

Given that Community legislation on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora is being
flagrantly violated in this case, will the Commission investigate on the basis of which national or
Community legislation the Greek Ministry for the Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works is
excluding the lagoon in question from the environmental protection to which it is entitled?

(1) OJ C 301 E, 5.12.2002, p. 119.
(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.