WRITTEN QUESTION E-0422/00 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Installation of Greek Electricity Board (DEI) pylons in the Cyclades.
28. 12. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 374 E/71 The Commission is aware of the work of Dr H. Lindeboom (referred to in the question as 4. Dr Lindeman), the author of the article referred to. Dr Lindeboom is an eminent scientist who has published a number of texts, both scientific and popular, in which he claims that beam trawling is damaging to the environment. However, other equally eminent scientists do not agree, either completely or at all, with Dr Lindeboomís conclusions. 5. The activities of beam trawlers are already curtailed by Community legislation. Large beam trawlers (greater than 221 Kilo Watt engine power) are not allowed to fish in the so-called plaice box which is an area of sea adjacent to the North Sea coasts of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, and Netherlands. Furthermore, large beam trawlers may not fish in the 12 mile zone around Ireland and United Kingdom. Beam trawling is prohibited in the Kattegat. At this stage, the Commission does not envisage any amendment to those restrictions. It will however continue to survey and evaluate biological impacts of fisheries, in order to propose further measures if and when appropriate. (2000/C 374 E/083) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0421/00 by Ulrich Stockmann (PSE) to the Commission (23 February 2000) Subject: Equipping of motor vehicles with warning triangles I am informed by a German industrial undertaking that since last summer the Kingdom of Spain has required motor vehicles to be equipped with two warning triangles. Are there any plans within the Commission to submit a proposal to make it compulsory for all motor vehicles throughout the EU to be equipped with two warning triangles? Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (28 March 2000) The Commission is aware of Spanish legislation requiring all vehicles to carry two warning triangles. This is a requirement of the General Regulations of Vehicles, Article 19 and Annex XII published as a Royal Decree (Real Decreto 2822/98) on 23 December 1998. The warning triangle does not form part of the construction standards of vehicles, and the requirement to carry it is an item of traffic rules. Such rules are normally the competence of the Member States and the Commission has no plans to extend the Spanish system throughout the Community. (2000/C 374 E/084) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0422/00 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (23 February 2000) Subject: Installation of Greek Electricity Board (DEI) pylons in the Cyclades For a number of years the DEI has been endeavouring to link up the islands of Andros, Tinos, Syros and Mykonos with high-tension electrical current from Euvoia and to set up pylons on these islands for this purpose. There have already been furious protests from local inhabitants on these islands, and the Council of State has issued a decision invalidating such a move. C 374 E/72 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 28. 12. 2000 Given that: ü the vulnerable natural environment of the islands which is characterised by an austere symmetry and unity cannot absorb interventions of this kind; ü it is established that high-tension electrical cables have adverse effects on health; ü energy projects require a long-term perspective and a comprehensive assessment and forecast of the environmental consequences; ü in fragile and isolated ecosystems featuring a rich or unique biodiversity, such as the northern Cyclades, only environmentally-friendly technical projects and interventions may be deemed viable and permissible; ü the obligation to protect fragile ecosystems is based directly on Articles 24 and 106 of the Greek Constitution and Article 174 of the EC Treaty; ü the invalidating decision by the Council of State provides that áby its very nature the installation of a high-tension electricity network involving the erection of pylons constitutes a brutal assault on the environment of the Cyclades. This environment which is characterised by an austere symmetry and great natural beauty and is inextricably linked to the specific cultural assets of these islands should be protected in accordance with Article 24 of the Constitutioní. Will the Commission intervene with the appropriate Greek authorities and recommend that the DEI examine and implement an alternative solution (plans for underwater links, underground cables, envir- onmentally-friendly forms of energy) even if it proves more expensive, so as to protect the cultural and architectural heritage of the Cyclades, and also the environment and public health, in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Greek Constitution and the principles of viable development and the protection of human health enshrined in the Treaty (Articles 174 and 152, respectively)? Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (11 April 2000) Generally speaking, the EU trans-European energy network policy encourages the connection of mainland and island electricity grids. This reduces the need for electricity production on the islands themselves, cuts production costs and creates the technical conditions to generate electricity on the islands from renewable sources, such as wind power. In the framework of the Community guidelines for TEN-Energy, project áa9. Greece: connections between the islands, and the islands and mainland Greeceí has been identified as a project of common interest. It is true that the Greek Council of State invalidated the authorisations granted to the Greek Electricity Board (DEI) to set up pylons on some islands in the Cyclades. Nevertheless, the Greek Electricity Board re-examined the project and, under the aegis of the 1999 TEN- Energy programme, obtained co-financing to carry out feasibility, evaluation, technical and environmental studies for the Connection of the Southern Cycladic Islands to the mainland electricity grid of Greece. í The routes, technical aspects and authorisation procedures chosen to carry out the process of connection must comply with the commitments arising from Community directives, particularly the directives on environmental protection