WRITTEN QUESTION E-1394/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (22 April 1997)

Subject: Destruction of the natural environment in Cyprus caused by army exercises

The Akama peninsula is one of the few regions of the free part of Cyprus to have remained untouched by development. Its natural beauty is proverbial and its ecological importance is evidenced by the fact that 33 plants are indigenous to the region.

However, the Akama peninsula is suffering unprecedented damage owing to the constant military exercises held by the British forces which have repeatedly caused forest fires. In 1988, for example, three fires destroyed 53 hectares of land, while in 1995 there were two fires in which a further seven hectares of land were destroyed.

If this state of affairs continues, it is virtually certain to lead to the total destruction of the Akama peninsula by uncontrolled fires; the cultural damage is also unprecedented, since the territory on which the British exercises take place contains sixteen recognized archaeological sites which have yet to be excavated.

This is an exceptionally serious matter, since Cyprus is a candidate for accession to the European Union, and the European Union has an acknowledged commitment to protect the natural environment and Europe's cultural heritage.

Will the Commission say whether it has been officially notified of this matter and, if so, what measures it intends to take forthwith to put an end to the damage being caused to the Akama peninsula, whoever is responsible?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (30 May 1997)

The Commission is aware of the facts reported by the Honourable Member.

To ensure that natural resources are protected and conserved in the Akamas peninsula the Commission has since 1988 financed a number of projects in the area through its MEDSPA/LIFE programme ((OJ L 206, 22.7.1992. )).

The Commission has not, however, been officially informed by the Cypriot authorities of military matters which, moreover, are outside its jurisdiction and concern relations between the Cyprus and United Kingdom governments.