91997E3580

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3580/97 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (13 November 1997)

Subject: Wetlands of Nea Fokaia in Khalkidiki

The community of Nea Fokaia in Khalkidiki comprises two important coastal wetlands which are surrounded by woodland. Much of this region has already been built on with licences issued by the state, and pressure has been mounting since 1961 to develop the land.

These two wetlands have been registered as such by a number of bodies (the Ministry of Agriculture in 1988, the National Centre for Biotopes and Wetlands/ the Goulandris Museum of Natural History in 1994, the Kassandra Forestry Authority in 1996 and 1997 and the Environmental Department of the Prefecture of Khalkidiki in 1997).

However, on 4 April 1995, the Government decided to cede 181.1 hectares of one of the two wetlands to the Greek Tourist Board for the construction of a golf course, basing its decision on the fact that the Greek Tourist Board has characterized the region as a dried-up marsh.

The local authorities have called for the wetlands to be preserved, but at the same time to be promoted for tourism; they have also demanded a stop to the illegal seizure of land and violations of national and Community legislation which bring Greece into disrepute internationally.

Will the Commission say whether it is aware of the above allegations and whether it intends to call on the Greek authorities to explain this state of affairs?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (12 December 1997)

The Commission is already aware of the facts referred to by the Honourable Member. An initial investigation has revealed that at the moment the site in question is not designated as a special protection area under Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds ((OJ L 103, 25.4.1979. )), nor has it been proposed by Greece as a site of Community importance for the Natura 2000 network under Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora ((OJ L 206, 22.7.1992. )).

However, information does exist which points to the ecological value of the site (scientific inventories, a recent review of important areas for the conservation of birds). Furthermore, a coastal area proposed by Greece as a site of Community importance is located in the immediate vicinity.

The Commission will be contacting the Greek authorities for further information regarding nature conservation at the site in question. If appropriate, it will take action under the procedure provided for in Article 169 of the EC Treaty.