WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3536/97 by Yiannis ROUBATIS to the Commission. Hazard caused by a tank containing arsenic in Albania
25. 5. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 158/143 Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (12 December 1997) The Commission wishes to inform the Honourable Member that, in the framework of European social fund (ESF) programmes, the management of individual projects is under responsibility of the national administration in each Member State. The Commission has asked the Greek ministry of Labour to supply the relevant information. According to the information transmitted, one training action was financed in 1995 for 28 people of the Labour Bankí managing staff, of whom 3 were women. The total cost was 20 400 000 Drs (approximately 60 000 ECU) and the ESF participation amounted 7 650 000 Drs (approximately 25 000 ECU). There is no evidence of irregularities in the way this action has been implemented, or of infringement of Community law. (98/C 158/188) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3535/97 by Yiannis Roubatis (PSE) to the Council (14 November 1997) Subject: Hazard caused by a tank containing arsenic in Albania During an official visit to Albania, the chairman of the Italian Senate Health Committee, Mr Francesco Carella, learned of the existence of a tank containing 800 cubic metres of arsenic at a chemical plant in Fier. The tank is on the point of disintegrating, which would cause a major ecological disaster and create a public health hazard in Albania, Greece and Italy. Will the Council provide technical and financial assistance for the Albanian Government to have this dangerous tank repaired and removed? Answer (12 February 1998) Since Albania emerged from isolation, it has benefited from substantial Community assistance, amounting to ECU 557 million between 1991 and 1996. Since the eruption of the recent crisis in Albania the Council has repeatedly stated, most recently at its meeting on 10 November 1997, that the Community is determined to continue providing aid. It is clear, however, that good governance in Albania is first and foremost the sovereign responsibility of the Albanian authorities. The Council shares the Honourable Memberís concern about the specific case of arsenic stored at the Fier chemical plant. Aid programmes, including PHARE, are managed by the Commission, which is aware of the facts described by the Honourable Member and is assessing the situation; it will thus be for the Commission to arrange for the assistance necessary to contribute, together with the Albanian authorities, towards solving the problems involved. (98/C 158/189) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3536/97 by Yiannis Roubatis (PSE) to the Commission (12 November 1997) Subject: Hazard caused by a tank containing arsenic in Albania During an official visit to Albania, the chairman of the Italian Senate Health Committee, Mr Francesco Carella, learned of the existence of a tank containing 800 cubic metres of arsenic at a chemical plant in Fier. The tank is on the point of disintegrating, which would cause a major ecological disaster and create a public health hazard in Albania, Greece and Italy. Will the Commission provide technical and financial assistance for the Albanian Government to have this dangerous tank repaired and removed?