WRITTEN QUESTION E-1619/01 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Candidacy of Malaga for the seat of the EU's future Maritime Safety Agency.
Date: 2001-06-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU office or agency, maritime safety, seat of institution

20.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 364 E/161

Concerning Community aid to waste treatment plants in Member States, it can be stated that no special
programme to finance or co-finance waste treatment facilities exists. However, different options to improve
the state of the environment are available within the framework of the structural and cohesion funds.
Member States are at liberty to submit proposals for such projects. In addition, funds for implementing
innovative approaches to tackle environmental problems are available under the LIFE programme. All
listed on the website (cid:129)
funding offers
www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/funding/intro_en.htm.

from the Directorate general

(DG) Environment are

(1) OJ L 365, 31.12.1994.

(2001/C 364 E/177)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1619/01

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 June 2001)

Subject: Candidacy of Malaga for the seat of the EU(cid:146)s future Maritime Safety Agency

Malaga has submitted its candidacy for the seat of the EU(cid:146)s Maritime Safety Agency. Among the factors
supporting this candidacy are the location of the Sea of AlborÆn on one of the world(cid:146)s busiest maritime
routes and the fact that the Straits of Gibraltar are crossed by between 70 000 and 80 000 vessels every
year.

While other cities will also apply, Malaga(cid:146)s candidacy would ensure a Mediterranean location for the
agency which could be the salvation of an ocean that has suffered severe damage from a level of maritime
traffic in excess of its ecological capacities.

Does the Commission believe that objective criteria should be established for choosing among the cities
put forward for the Agency(cid:146)s seat, to include compliance with the existing on-board safety rules, levels of
risk insurance provision, and coordination management in respect of the provisions of national law in the
field?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(2 August 2001)

The Commission proposal for a Regulation establishing a European Maritime Safety Agency was presented
on 6 December 2000 in the context of a second package of measures following the (cid:145)Erika(cid:146) accident (1).

Since the presentation of this proposal, the Commission has indeed received a number of applications by
Member States or regional authorities, among which is an application by the city of Malaga.

The Commission would agree with the Honourable Member that certain objective criteria have to be taken
into account by the competent Authority when deciding on the location of the Agency.

(1) COM(2000) 802 final.

(2001/C 364 E/178)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1623/01

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 June 2001)

Subject: Recognition as medical treatment centres of mineshafts used for therapeutic purposes

In Germany and Austria, as well as in several applicant countries (such as Slovenia, the Czech Republic,
Slovakia and Hungary), mineshafts used for therapeutic purposes are recognised, for example, as medical
treatment centres. Accordingly, sickness insurance schemes bear the cost of the treatment which they offer.