WRITTEN QUESTION No. 404/98 by Katerina DASKALAKI to the Commission. Problems affecting the production of olive oil, cotton and citrus fruits
9. 10. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 310/57 3. During the programming phase the regional partners must give written assurance that measures cofinanced by the ERDF will be compatible with Community environmental legislation. The subsidiarity and partnership principles mean that the regional partners are responsible for programme implementation and for checking that environmental legislation is observed. Further, annual reports must state what measures have been taken to ensure environmental protection. The latest available report for Brandenburg states that for all projects the opinion of the environmental protection department of the local administration is required. Compliance may also be verified and ensured by means of on-the-spot checks by the Commission. (98/C 310/72) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0398/98 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (24 February 1998) Subject: Conversion of an Armenian Monastery into a Hotel in Occupied Cyprus According to reports in the Turkish newspaper the Kibris Postasií the Armenian monastery of Sourp Magarí dating from the year 1000 AD which was bombarded by the Turkish invading forces is to be converted into a 50-bed hotel. The monastery is situated in the area of Kyrenia in occupied Cyprus. The illegitimate government intends to lease it for 49 years for $20 000 annually. This is another example of the disregard shown by the Turkish occupying forces for the cultural heritage of the island and is a clear indication of the respect due to Christian buildings in the eyes of the powers illegally occupying the Northern part of Cyprus. What action does the Commission intend to take in response to this manifestly illegal action by a brutal regime supported only by its 40 000 strong armed forces which have been occupying 40% of Cyprus for 24 years? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (16 March 1998) The recent visits of 800 Turkish Cypriots to a mosque in Larnaca and the pilgrimages of several hundreds of Greek Cypriots to a monastery in the north of the island are modest signs of progress in the relations between the two communities. The respect of each otherís cultural heritage is a fundamental step in preserving the identify of the two Cypriot communities. The Commission would like to utilise part of the funds of the fourth financial protocol for the restoration of monuments in the entire island (as a bi-communal project). Although until now this has not been possible, the Commission will continue to support this type of initiative and hopes that the political circumstances in Cyprus might eventually allow its implementation. (98/C 310/73) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0404/98 by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission (24 February 1998) Subject: Problems affecting the production of olive oil, cotton and citrus fruits Greek farmers blame problems affecting the production of olive oil, cotton and citrus fruits on what they regard as particularly unfavourable decisions by Brussels. They maintain that Greek cotton production is coming under pressure and that citrus fruit production is being adversely affected by the WTO agreement limiting subsidized export levels. Greek olive growers are suffering as a result of over production in Spain and the refusal of the Commissioner responsible to take appropriate measures. Community subsidies for Greek olive oil have been reduced by 30% but instead of speeding up Community intervention the Commission is now calling for the creation of Community-funded private reserves. Is the Commission aware that Greece does not have the necessary infrastructure and does it intend to take any measures of a general nature to alleviate the situation of