WRITTEN QUESTION E-2733/01 by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission. Seizure of a motorised fishing boat in the Sicilian Channel.
Date: 2001-10-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, Sicily, Tunisia, confiscation of property, cooperation policy, fishing vessel, international waters, public international law

18.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/181

Is the Commission aware of these incidents? If so, what steps are being taken in this connection?

Should the Commission not have any knowledge of the incidents, is it planning to investigate them?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 2001)

The water quality in the Greek area Chaldiki is monitored according to the Bathing Water Directive (1). On
75 beach locations in the area, water quality is examined throughout the bathing season. According to
these measurements water quality has been excellent in all locations since 1993.

The Commission is not aware of cases where slurry or waste would have been poured into the sea or
dumped into dry river beds. It would be grateful to receive further information relating to such activities
(time,
location, volume). When such information is made available, the Commission would be better
placed to pursue the issue with the local authorities.

(1) Council Directive 76/160/EEC of 8 December 1975 concerning the quality of bathing water, OJ L 31, 5.2.1976.

(2002/C 93 E/216)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2733/01

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

(5 October 2001)

Subject: Seizure of a motorised fishing boat in the Sicilian Channel

For some years now Sicilian fishing boats have been unjustly seized by the Tunisian authorities in the
international waters of the Sicilian Channel, in violation of the basic principles of the international law of
the sea. Last week another motorised fishing boat from Mazara del Valle, the most important port in Italy,
was seized by them. The seizure of fishing boats causes serious economic damage to Sicilian fishermen.

Can the Commission say:

1. Whether it is aware of these problems; whether it can take steps to ensure that regrettable incidents of

this kind no longer occur?

2. What new rules on fishing in the Mediterranean Basin does the Commission intend to introduce, in
particular concerning issues related to fishing in the Sicilian Channel, the most important of which is
the partnership with the countries bordering on the Mediterranean?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 2001)

The Commission is aware of the incidents involving Sicilian fishing vessels that have been taking place in
the international waters of the Sicilian Channel for several years.

The limits to the action the Commission can take in situations of this kind were examined recently in a
study carried out by its departments (see Commission working paper on the current responsibilities of the
Commission and the Member States in relation to fisheries agreements with third countries (1). The study
was also sent to Parliament and discussed by its Committee on Fisheries). While it is concerned primarily
with incidents occurring under fisheries agreements, the study deals also with the steps the Commission
can take where incidents occur in circumstances unconnected with fisheries agreements, as in the cases
involving the Tunisian authorities. The above working paper examines the roles of the various parties
concerned, namely the flag Member State,
the
Commission is not involved and therefore bears no responsibility in the event of the arrest of fishing
vessels in such a situation.

the Commission and vessel owners, and states that

C 93 E/182

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2002

However, because of its geographical location and potential marine and economic resources Tunisia could
be one of the few Mediterranean countries potentially interested in a bilateral agreement with the
Community. The Community is ready to explore possible potential developments in bilateral fisheries
cooperation with the Tunisian authorities. At the same time, it is interested in expanding its fisheries
cooperation in the Mediterranean Sea. In this regard it is working with the Tunisian administration on the
reform and improvement of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), which is the
only regional organisation in the Mediterranean that could develop a multilateral framework for the
management of fisheries resources in the area and contribute to reinforcing international cooperation
between Mediterranean Basin countries.

(1) SEC(2000) 1943.

(2002/C 93 E/217)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2737/01

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 October 2001)

Subject: Extremely tall buildings and measures to reduce their vulnerability in the event of fire, explosion

or aircraft collision

1.
Is the Commission aware that, not only in New York but in other parts of the world too, particularly
in such European cities as Rotterdam and Frankfurt am Main, buildings have been constructed in recent
decades which are well over 50 or 100 metres tall, and that large businesses in particular believe that it
will be conducive to their prestige if they constantly succeed in breaking national, continental and world
records for the height of buildings?

2.
Can the Commission confirm that, as the height of buildings increases, not only does the danger
grow that such buildings will be singled out for attack on account of their fame and vulnerability but
disasters may also occur because of unintentional aircraft collisions, the lack of adequate escape routes in
the event of fire or explosion, or collapse, either as a result of earthquakes or because of fatigue in ageing
materials of modern types such as steel and concrete which were not used in previous centuries and whose
long-term reliability has therefore yet to be confirmed?

3.

How many buildings 150 m tall or taller now exist in the 15 EU Member States?

Does the Commission consider it desirable to adopt minimum European safety standards for tall

4.
buildings?

5. Would it be desirable to limit the height of buildings in Europe in the interests of safety, bearing in
mind the vulnerability of tall buildings, for example to 50, 100 or at most 150 m, so that buildings cannot
easily fall prey to attacks or other disasters?

6.

How will the Commission help to increase safety, as referred to in questions 4 and 5?

(2002/C 93 E/218)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2738/01

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 October 2001)

Subject: Extremely tall, vulnerable buildings and standards for their supporting structures and demolition

1.
Can the Commission confirm that, in the towers of the World Trade Center in New York which was
destroyed on 11 September 2001, stability was not provided in the customary manner by a core
containing stairwells and lift shafts but that steel columns in the outside walls were designed to support
concrete floors, and that such floors may become detached due to distortion caused by heat, damage to the
outside walls or overloading and may consequently collapse on top of one another?