WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1359/98 by Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS to the Commission. Restructuring of urban transport
C 402/118 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 22. 12. 98 Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (25 June 1998) Upon appraisal of the Lihir project in Papua New Guinea (PNG) the European investment bank (EIB) applied its current environmental standards set out in its áenvironmental policy statementí. In line with these, the project is in compliance with all national as well as relevant internationally recognised requirements (especially Australian and United States Environmental protection agency), and follows best available and proven environmental practice. The project is also in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the law of the sea, to which PNG is party. EIB-financed projects have to comply with those international agreements to which the host country is a party. The competent body of that country is formally responsible for compliance with such agreements. In the case of Lihir, granting of the environmental plan was conditional upon the submission, approval and adherence to an environmental management and monitoring programme with extensive reporting requirements to the respective PNG authorities. Based on this and other information, the promoter is required to send regular reports, including independent audits, to the EIB. These requirements have been respected. (98/C 402/155) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1359/98 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (27 April 1998) Subject: Restructuring of urban transport The Greek Government has unveiled a programme for the reorganization and restructuring of urban transport in the Athens area. Can the Commission say whether this transport network is included in CSF funding plans and under which conditions it will contribute to this reorganization and the necessary investments? Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (26 May 1998) At its last meeting on 31 October 1997, the Monitoring Committee under the Community support framework for Greece approved the allocation of ECU 34 million to a pilot scheme to purchase 120 natural gas-powered buses and build a supply station. The Commission has not yet taken a decision on this scheme. It will act once it has evaluated the feasibility study recently submitted by the Greek authorities and once the amendment of the CSF to incorporate the decisions taken by the Monitoring Committee on 31 October 1997 has been approved. The Commission will ensure that any funding for this operation fits in with all the other measures essential to reorganising urban transport in the Athens area, so that any investment financed by the Commission can have its full impact. (98/C 402/156) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1362/98 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (7 May 1998) Subject: Trading standards Does the Commission organize regular meetings or seminars between trading standards officers from different Member States? Does the Commission recognize that such meetings can be very useful in facilitating the exchange of important information among practitioners?