WRITTEN QUESTION E-0466/99

by Georg Jarzembowski (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 March 1999)

Subject: Abandoned building project for a further training centre in Agios Dimitrios, Pelion, Greece

Work began on the construction of a further training centre, the EKTA (WZLS) building, for the local authority in Agios Dimitrios/Pelion, province of Magnesia in 1994. According to the signboards at the site, the Community budget is funding the project, to the value of some DM 40 million (GRD 600 000 000). However, once the foundations had been laid, the project was halted in 1995, since when the condition of the site has deteriorated and building materials have been unlawfully removed.

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. Why was construction of this further training centre halted? Is the Commission contemplating a resumption of the work?

2. How much of the estimate of GRD 600 million has been paid out, and under which budget heading?

3. What form of control is being exercised over the company responsible for planning supervision, ERGODYNAMIKI GmbH?

4. Does the Commission intend to initiate action for recovery against those responsible?

Supplementary answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(18 February 2000)

1. According to information received from the Greek authorities, the project of the Centre for the Continuing Training of Local Authorities at Agios Dimitrios/Pelion was planned to be implemented in two phases. The first phase was planned, implemented and co-funded through the Community support framework (CSF) for Greece during the 1989-1993 programming period. The second phase is to be concluded within the CSF for the 1994-1999 period.

2. The first phase was co-funded by the European regional development fund for a total amount of 200 million drachmas, under the budget line B2-1200.

3. The management of projects is decentralised to the Member States and it therefore lies within the responsability of the Greek authorities to exercise the appropriate controls whenever contractual problems arise with companies that have undertaken to execute CSF projects. In this case, the Ministry of the National Economy is the responsible authority.

4. The Ministry of the National Economy has already sent a letter to KEDKE, the project's implementing agency, requesting the immediate completion of the project if it is to be funded through the 1994-1999 CSF or to ensure its completion through the agency's own resources. Should the project not be completed, the Commission will recuperate the Community funds which had been allocated.