4. Takes note of the agreement reached in June 2014 between SOCO International and the conservation group WWF, in relation to WWF’s complaint to the UK National Contact Point (NCP) on SOCO’s lack of compliance with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, according to which the company commits not to undertake or commission any exploratory or other drilling within Virunga National Park unless UNESCO and the DRC Government agree that such activities are not incompatible with its World Heritage Status; notes that such conditi ...[+++]onal agreement offers no guarantees as to the cessation of any oil-related activity in the park; points out that the ambiguous position of SOCO International leaves the door open to the park being fully or partially declassified for oil drilling; observes that the concession that SOCO has been exploring is located in and around Lake Edward, an area which is home to dozens of iconic (and some endangered) species, including chimpanzees, elephants, crocodiles and lions; calls, therefore, on SOCO International plc and its DRC-registered company to stop all exploration and exploitation within Virunga permanently and to respect the park’s current boundaries; calls also on the DRC Government to cancel the oil exploration permits granted within the property of Virunga National Park, as requested by the World Heritage Committee;

Oscar Duquette initiated two major projects: the Lac-des-Fées parkway and the large lighted cross that has been shining from the highest point of Columbia Park since 1950 and can be seen from most of the city.

The early to mid-1990s saw the sale of 112 hectares near Wakefield and 10 properties in the Lac des Fees area of the park's southern region.

With regard to the incorporation of the National Park of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace in Natura 2000, the Commission would like to inform the honourable Member, that the Common Ministerial Decision 5796/1999 designating the zones of Nestos Delta, lake of Vistonida and lake of Ismarida as a National Park is no longer in force.

The operational programme contains five priorities: - development of technological innovation: technological laboratories to be managed by a regional agency for innovation, a data communications network (the Ithaca project) and a technology park (on Lake Maggiore); - development of tourist potential: specific tourist infrastructures, assistance for tourist businesses, and campaigns to promote tourism; - development and strengthening of SMEs: assistance for investment by small and medium-sized industrial firms, specific guarantee funds to increase credit facilities for SMEs; - environment and site reclamation: reclamation of rundown in ...[+++]dustrial sites and construction of facilities for the collection and treatment of industrial waste; - establishment of business support facilities, involving the creation and enlargement of industrial and craft estates.

Only very few Tourist Parks will fulfil the cultural criteria and at present only the planned H.C. Andersen Fairy Tales Park is eligible under this scheme.