WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3495/97 by Katerina DASKALAKI to the Commission. Looting of archaeological and religious treasures in Cyprus
25. 5. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 158/131 Article 8(3) of the draft in fact obliges banks to convert into euros all amounts credited to their customersí accounts. It applies both to essential conversion operations during the transitional period between 1999 and 2001 (e. g. in cases where the debtorís account and the creditorís account are denominated in different currencies, one in euros and the other in national currency) and to the definitive changeover of bank accounts in 2002. As regards compulsory acts, there is every reason to believe that the conversions will be carried out free of charge for customers. This also applies to the definitive conversion in 2002 of notes and coins in national currency into euros. It should, however, be noted that Article 8(3) does not cover all the questions arising in connection with conversion charges. For example, the invoicing arrangements between 1999 and 2001 for services in euros requested by banksí customers remain an open question, as does the exchange of notes and coins between currencies participating in the euro area in the period from 1999 to 2001. In order to examine these matters, the Commission set up in the spring of 1997 a working group composed of representatives from all the interested parties: banking and professional associations, consumer groups and public authorities. The objective is to determine by the end of the year whether a common approach is required on the part of all the participating Member States and to spell out, also by the end of the year, what needs to be done, if anything, in terms of legislation or a code of conduct. (1) OJ C 236, 2. 8. 1997. The Council has reached unanimous agreement on this text. However, in view of its legal basis (Article 109l(4)), it cannot be formally adopted until the list of Member States participating in the euro is known. (98/C 158/171) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3495/97 by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission (10 November 1997) Subject: Looting of archaeological and religious treasures in Cyprus Religious and archaeological treasures of great value, looted from churches and monasteries in the occupied sector of Cyprus, were to be found in Munich in late October. The objects concerned comprise more than 40 icons, mosaics and murals from the first Byzantine period, which were being offered for sale by Alytin Dikman, a Turkish illicit dealer in antiquities, whose extradition has been requested by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus. Since this is not the first occurrence of the looting of Cypriot archaeological and religious treasures by the Turkish invaders, will the Commission say whether it intends to take a closer interest in this criminal endeavour to destroy and sell off important parts of the European cultural heritage? If so, what practical measures can it and does it propose to take? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (22 December 1997) The Commission refers to its answer to the Honourable Memberís written question No E-3079/96 (1) as well as to its answer to written question No P-3094/96 by Mr Alavanos (2). There are no new elements to be added at this stage. (1) OJ C 105, 3. 4. 1997. (2) OJ C 83, 14. 3. 1997. (98/C 158/172) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3497/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (10 November 1997) Subject: Extension of the Via Egnatia The Via Egnatia is part of the trans-European networks and its construction is already being jointly funded by the EU and the European Investment Bank. The decision has already been taken to link up the Balkan capitals, which is an extremely important project, but extending the Via Egnatia to Istanbul would give the network another dimension