91998E2364

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2364/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(27 July 1998)

Subject: Improved forestry protection and fire fighting resources in Greece

Recent fires in Greece have revealed that the country is disastrously ill-equipped, lacking in modern forestry protection and fire-fighting resources. In particular, its airborne firefighting fleet is inadequate and outdated, with the result that fires cannot be rapidly and effectively extinguished and vast areas of forest land are destroyed, with incalculable consequences for the development of the country.

1. Has the Greek Government requested funding for the purchase of firefighting aircraft, and helicopters and other logistical and infrastructural resources as part of the measures to protect the physical environment provided for under the 1994-1999 Community Support Framework (second Delors package)?

2. Can the Commission provide funding for this purpose?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(9 October 1998)

The Community has already part-financed firefighting equipment intended for the fire services in Greece, in particular under the integrated Mediterranean programmes, the Community Support Framework (CSF) for the period 1989-1993, the special measures for the Greek Aegean islands, the CSF for the current period (1994-1999) and the Cohesion Fund. The equipment consisted mostly of purpose-built land vehicles.

The Greek authorities have not submitted a request to the Commission for the purchase of aerial firefighting equipment under the current CSF. If such a proposal were to be made, the Commission would consider it in the context of the programmes under that CSF, in relation to other priorities and available budget funds. The Commission would point out, however, that part-financing this type of investment would have no sense unless it were part of an integrated and coherent measure which took account of the Greek forest fire protection plan, on which it delivered a favourable opinion on 7 March 1994, under Regulation (EEC) 2158/92(1).

(1) OJ L 217, 31.7.1992.