WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1750/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Initiative to save Ayia Sofia in Istanbul
22. 1. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 21/91 3. The Commission is looking into the need for a general review of Directive 91/157/EEC, which may result in a proposal to the Parliament and the Council during this year. During the review, the Commission will look into the need to extend the scope of the Directive, further to restrict the marketing of environmentally hazardous batteries as well as to improve the collection, recycling and marking requirements. (98/C 21/190) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1750/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (27 May 1997) Subject: Initiative to save Ayia Sofia in Istanbul The church of Ayia Sofia is one of the most important monuments in the world. However, it is beset by severe problems and is even in danger of collapsing. All the restoration work carried out since the 6th century has deformed and weighed down the delicate original shell of the church with unnecessary heavy masonry and it is commonly remarked that every bus that passes Ayia Sofia brings it one step nearer collapse. Its main columns are leaning, which is even visible to the naked eye, and its generally destabilized state is apparent from the fact that the small pillars do not stand perpendicular. There are cracks everywhere and the marble columns have already been reinforced to withstand the pressure but, unfortunately, the situation is made worse because the area is prone to earthquakes. What is the possibility of taking an initiative to save this monument, in collaboration with the Greek and Turkish Governments and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, to prevent this unique monument from collapsing and to build bridges for communication, understanding and dialogue between the Greek and Turkish nations, which would obviously be helpful, particularly at the present time? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (3 July 1997) The Honourable Member should refer to the answer given by the Commission to Question E-3520/96 by Mr Kellett-Bowman (1). In view of its particular importance, Ayia Sofia is continuously monitored by a scientific committee set up in 1992 comprising architects and specialists in seismic engineering. (1) OJ C 138, 5. 5. 1997. (98/C 21/191) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1759/97 by Claude Desama (PSE) to the Commission (27 May 1997) Subject: Communal tax on dish aerials for the reception of TV programmes transmitted by satellite Several large Belgian communes have just conferred on themselves the right to impose an annual charge on the use of dish aerials for the reception of radio and television programme programmes transmitted by satellites with Europe-wide coverage. Could the Commission ascertain whether this provision infringes the átelevision without frontiersí directive and whether it constitutes discrimination by the Belgian communal authorities, or indeed an obstacle to the free flow of information, since it seeks to deter access to satellite signals by means of receiving equipment?