WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3180/97 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Accidents on the Tsakona-Kalamata road
30. 4. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 134/107 Generally speaking, the Commission is sceptical about using VAT rates as a policy tool for attaining specific economic objectives, in particular when compared to other more direct and targeted policy measures. However, the basic problem behind the Honourable Memberís question is currently re-examined by the Commission against the background of its plan for a new common system of VAT. In this context, the Commission is seriously considering the idea of applying a reduced VAT rate, on an experimental basis and for a limited period of time, to some locally operating labour-intensive services. (1) COM(97) 559. (98/C 134/138) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3180/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (13 October 1997) Subject: Accidents on the Tsakona-Kalamata road The mayors of 12 communities along the route of the 30 kilometre road linking Tsakona and Kalamata claim that 60 people have been killed and scores seriously injured owing to the road passing through residential areas, the lack of traffic lights, poor roadworks and speeding. The fact that the road passes through villages which do not even have rudimentary pavements or lighting and that there is no visibility or controls makes life particularly difficult for the inhabitants, especially the elderly, schoolchildren and the very young. In response to local protests, the Peloponnese Region has claimed that the only solution to the problem is to build a new bypass. Has the Peloponnese Region proposed that such a road be incorporated into the 2nd CSF when it is 1. reviewed, and is there any possibility of intervening under the 2nd CSF to redesign the road or come up with other 2. alternatives? Answer given by Mrs Wulf- Mathies on behalf of the Commission (25 November 1997) According to the information available to the Commission, the Greek authorities have already awarded the contracts for the studies for some sections of the future motorway from Tripoli to Kalamata, of which the Tsalona-Kalamata section is part. This will involve a new route which does not pass through the inhabited areas as does the existing road which is the subject of the citizensí complaints. Since the above-mentioned studies will not be ready before 2000, the new route cannot be part-financed under the Community Support Framework for 1994-99. Nevertheless, the Greek authorities could submit a proposal for part-financing of the studies under the current programming period. Clearly, it is not the Commissionís place to intervene concerning the route of the roads it finances, let alone those for which financing has not yet been requested. (98/C 134/139) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3181/97 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (13 October 1997) Subject: The Thessaloniki ámetroí The plan for the construction of a ámetroí in Thessaloniki is essentially confined to a single line running parallel to the cityís waterfront which does not even form an efficient link between such nodal points as the airport and the city centre. At all events, a large part of the city, its suburbs and basic economic and other facilities will not be served by the ámetroí as planned