WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1377/98 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Aid for air transport to small and remote communities in Greece
C 402/120 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 22. 12. 98 Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (5 June 1998) The Commission would point that semi-skimmed milk is already eligible for aid under the current arrangements governing the Community school milk scheme. As for the aid level for this product, the Commission does not intend to propose changes to the Council legislation that lays down the criteria for the fixing of aid levels for the different milk products included under the scheme. The existing legislation does not allow the subsidy for semi-skimmed milk to be brought in line with that for whole milk. (98/C 402/158) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1377/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (7 May 1998) Subject: Aid for air transport to small and remote communities in Greece Air transport is often the only link between small and sparsely-populated islands in remote parts of Greece and the outside world. However, owing to falling passenger numbers these services are very expensive and are at risk due to problems faced by Olympic Airways. Given the need to continue these services, will the Commission say whether Community funds can be made available to maintain scheduled flights to small and remote Greek islands? Under which programmes could funds be made available? Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (11 June 1998) The Community support framework (1994-1999) for Greece does not provide for any aid measure concerning the operational cost of air transport in Greece (including domestic flights to the islands). However, in recognition of the type of problem raised by the Honourable Member, the Community is presently co-financing the construction and upgrading of airport and port infrastructures located in many parts of Greece, including in the islands. Operational aid granted by the Greek authorities to air carriers is considered to be incompatible with the common market on the basis of Article 92 of the EC Treaty. However, there are two exceptions to this principle: › social aid benefiting consumers which is granted without discrimination as to the origin of the services can be exempted on the basis of Article 92. 3. a of the EC Treaty; › financial compensation granted for the operation of air routes on which public service obligations have been imposed in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EEC) 2408/92 (1) on access by Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes. To date, Greece has not requested any exemption on the basis of Article 92. 3. a, nor has it applied Article 4 of Regulation (EEC) 2408/92. (1) OJ L 240, 24. 8. 1992