Brussels, 26/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - An astronomical fine of €14,904,736 is hanging over Greece, together with a daily fine of €72,864. This is the penalty the European Commission has asked the Court of Justice to hand down to Greece, when it brought proceedings for the second time, on Thursday 25 September, against this member state for its infringement of the framework directive on waste (directive 2008/98/EC). At issue is the country's inadequate treatment of hazardous waste.
Five years after the first verdict of the Court in 2009, which ruled against Greece over this matter, the member state has not complied with any of the obligations it was bound to fulfil by 2013 in order to comply with the verdict. Specifically, the country was supposed to have adopted an adequate management plan for hazardous waste; created appropriate installations to treat hazardous waste, and tackle the problem of “historic waste” stored on a temporary basis until it can be handled effectively. (AN)