(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 representations 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 had given its approval and 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?

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.