A Seminar “Protection of Sea Turtles” at the European Parliament (EP) in Brussels on 23rd November 2004 considered the implementation of the European Commission’s (EC) Habitats Directive in Greece. The Seminar was under the patronage of German Green Party Member EP (MEP) Mrs. Hiltrud Breyer. MEDASSET was invited as the main speaker. The NGO “EURONATUR”, TUI Environmental Travel Group, MEPs, coordinators of the Green Group’s Environment Committee, were present.

Representatives of the EC Commission for the Environment and of the Greek Government declined to attend offering somewhat flimsy pretexts, a point not lost upon the MEPs present who after a lively discussion during which the appalling situation in Zakynthos was highlighted, committed themselves to bring this important international issue into the wider European debate, and to exert maximum pressure for change.

A meeting of the EP Environment Committee followed the seminar with the subject of Zakynthos on the Agenda. EMP Hiltrud Breyer posed a question to the European Commission: “What concrete measures are the EC currently taking to ensure that Greece meets its obligations under the Habitats Directive, particularly regarding the sea turtles Caretta caretta of Zakynthos?” The EC merely re-stated their position and pointed out that the deadline for a Greek government reply to the EC “Reasoned Opinion” had not yet expired, and that they needed a reply before deciding on their next step.

Mrs. Breyer and Greek EMP Dimitris Papadimoulis replied that the matter of the Zakynthos sea turtles would be a “test” of the commitment and impartiality of the newly appointed EC Commissioner for the Environment who happens to be Greek.

MEDASSET