91997E1229

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1229/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (7 April 1997)

Subject: Environmental projects financed by the Cohesion Fund

The following environmental projects were covered by the Cohesion Fund in 1995 and were scheduled to be completed by 31 December 1996:

a) Project No 94/09/61/029 - 2, entitled 'Agrinion Sewage Purification Plant';

b) Project No 94/09/61/031 - 1, entitled 'Disposal of untreated waste in Xylokastro, Greece';

c) Project No 94/09/61/031 - 2, entitled 'Completion of the sewage system of Kiaton, Greece';

d) Project No 94/09/61/037 - 2, entitled 'Completion of the sewage system of Xanthi, Greece'.

Will the Commission say:

1. whether the above projects had been completed;

2. if not, what stage they have reached (funding, construction work): and

3. if there are delays, what they are due to?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (12 May 1997)

The Commission can give the following information.

Project No 94.09.61.029-2 - waste water treatment Plant at Agrinion

On 6 December 1995 the Commission adopted a decision fixing 31 December 1996 as the date for completion of work. However, in response to a request by the Greek authorities on 9 July 1996 for an amendment to the substance of the project (additional work), on 12 December 1996 the Commission adopted a decision postponing the date of completion to 31 December 1998.

At the Monitoring Committee meeting held on 19 March 1997 in Athens, it was noted that work is progressing normally. According to the technical report by the Greek authorities, the plant will be operational in 1998.

Community assistance for 1995-98 amounts to ECU 8 109 928.

Project No 94.09.61.031-1 - waste-water disposal for Xylokastro

The Commission adopted this project by decision of 18 December 1995. According to the technical report drawn up by the Greek authorities and submitted to the Monitoring Committee on 19 March 1997, the project has been completed. The Commission is awaiting the final report from the Greek authorities in order to close this dossier.

Community assistance for 1995-96 amounts to ECU 379 950.

Project No 94.09.61.031-2 - Completion of the waste-water disposal system for Kiato

The Commission adopted this project by decision of 18 December 1995. The project should have been completed on 31 December 1996. At the Monitoring Committee meeting on 19 March 1997, the Greek authorities proposed postponing the date of completion of work to 31 December 1997, without any increase in the total cost of the project, because work had been held up by exceptionally bad weather during the winter which caused great damage in the city. The Commission accepted this proposal.

Community assistance for 1995-96 amounts to ECU 1 414 084.

Project No 94.09.61.037-2 - Completion of the waste-water disposal system for Xanthi

The Commission adopted this project by decision of 18 December 1995. The project has been completed.

Community assistance amounted to ECU 1 694 352 and was fully taken up.