WRITTEN QUESTION E-2785/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Destruction of a Natura 2000 protected area by an EU-funded project.
28. 12. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 374 E/15 Regulation (EC) 2027/97 of 9 October 1997 on air carrier liability in the event of accidents was 2. published in the Official Journal on 17 October 1997, but did not enter into force until 17 October 1998. Moreover, the main provisions of the Regulation, including the requirements for advance payment of compensation and the application of unlimited liability for death and injury, are not obligatory for carriers from outside the Community. In this particular accident, therefore, the Regulation is not applicable and the Warsaw Convention of 1929 is likely to govern and will probably limit the amount of compensation for which the carrier is liable. 3. The Commission is not in a position to intervene in this case. Faced with a clear conclusion in the investigation of the accident, it would be usual for the airline to reach a settlement with the families of the victims, however, if it proves impossible to reach such a settlement, there may be no option other than to bring the matter before a court. It is understood that the families of some victims have taken this step. (2000/C 374 E/018) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2785/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Destruction of a Natura 2000 protected area by an EU-funded project It is claimed that the Aliakmon Gorge area, which is protected under the Habitatís Directive, 92/43 (1) (Natura 2000) as a priority habitat, is being devastated by a series of works being carried out in the course of the construction of the Veria-Polymylos section of the Egnatia highway. More specifically, the contractor for this project is, in breach of environmental regulations, extensively dumping spoil on the hillsides above the river, although it is required to deposit the spoil at specially designated points. As this is destroying an area of exceptional beauty by virtue of the wealth of its flora and fauna, what action does the Commission intend to take to halt the destruction of the environment by this contractor? What action will it take against those responsible to oblige them to restore the site to its original state? (1) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992, p. 7. Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (20 March 2000) The Greek authorities have informed the Commission that human error caused a landslide during the construction of a small access road to the works site for the Veria-Lefkopetra section of the Egnatia motorway. Under the terms of the contract in force, the contractor (the Aktor ü Mechaniki ü Olympiaki Techniki ü Korontzis construction consortium) is required to apply the environmental impact statement approved by the Greek authorities for the project in question and to dump spoil away from the banks of the Aliakmon river. The Commission has reminded the company responsible for the Egnatia project, Egnatia Odos ITS, of the need to comply with all the terms of the contract