WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3841/97 by Stephen HUGHES to the Commission. Safety at Athens airport
C 174/142 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 6. 98 and the Environment introduces doubly stringent standards regarding iron reinforcement in the construction of new housing in Greece, resulting in a 15% increase in costs, which is excessively high for the average Greek. Has a comprehensive seismologic study been carried out in connection with recent work on the Athens underground railway and the new airport in Spata? Does the Commission intend to create a special Structural Fund reserve earmarked for new public and private projects so that they can be fully guaranteed to withstand earthquakes, given that prevention of disasters is infinitely preferable to measures to remedy the damage they cause in both material and human terms? Answer given by Mrs Wulf- Mathies on behalf of the Commission (19 January 1998) The antiseismic regulations in force in Greece are applied to the study and construction of the Athens underground, the Spata airport, and all other projects in Greece which are part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund or the Cohesion Fund. The cost of studies and construction under these projects, including the additional cost of applying the antiseismic regulations, is eligible for a contribution from these Funds so there is no need for a special reserve for this purpose. (98/C 174/213) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3841/97 by Stephen Hughes (PSE) to the Commission (5 December 1997) Subject: Safety at Athens airport Recently The Times in the United Kingdom carried an article which suggested that Athens airport was abysmally deficient in safety equipment and had been for some considerable time. The article went on to say that the airport authority had no plans to re-equip or replace deficient safety equipment. Could the Commission indicate what steps have been taken to guarantee the safe passage of European Union citizens through one of the Unionís busiest airports? Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (15 January 1998) The Commission does not have information confirming the alleged situation at Athens airport which is described by the Honourable Member in his question. The Commission assumes that the reference is to security equipment for the detection of weapons and explosives at airports, rather than to safety equipment. The Commission has Legal power to intervene in issues relating to aviation security in individual Member States. While Title VI of the Treaty on European Union provides for cooperation between Member States in the areas of Justice and home affairs, the initiative for action on such matters is retained wholly by Member States. The Commission does participate, however, as an observer in the working group on security within the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC). If the Honourable Member has more detailed and specific information relating to airport safety or security equipment he is invited to send it to the Commission or to the relevant national authorities