WRITTEN QUESTION E-2230/02 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Piracy, terrorism and the identification of ships.
Date: 2002-07-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: International Maritime Organisation, crew, fraud, maritime safety, maritime surveillance, maritime transport, piracy, shipping policy, transport document

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Official Journal of the European Union

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6.3.2003

The Commission has not pledged any additional contribution, over and above the EUR 100 million per
year already being provided through the TACIS programme to improve nuclear safety. However, the
Commission is involved in a Union Joint Action on disarmament and non-proliferation in the Russian
Federation, where more than EUR 15 million have been devoted to the destruction of chemical weapons
and to the disposal of weapon-grade plutonium in Russia.

As confirmed recently by the Parliament (1), the Euratom safeguards in existing nuclear plants on the
territory of the Union are applied in full compliance with the requirements of Chapter VII of the Euratom
Treaty.

As regards to whether Russia can apply robust physical protection and security measures on its existing
nuclear facilities, the Commission would like to state that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, physical
protection of nuclear stockpiles and facilities became a major concern to the international community. The
United States, in particular, has also made a major effort to improve physical protection measures at
Russian installations. The situation has improved significantly since then.

The Russian Federation has ratified the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, which
entered into force on 8 February 1987.

Beside physical protection matters, the Commission is helping Russia to put in place a state system of
accountancy and control of nuclear material. The TACIS programme earmarks funds since 1994 for
improving the Nuclear Material Accountancy and Control in Russian Federation.

(1) A5-0196/2002, Report on the Commission report to the European Parliament and the Council: Operation of the

Euratom Safeguards Office 1999-2000 (cid:1) Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy.

(2003/C 52 E/160)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2230/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Piracy, terrorism and the identification of ships

(23 July 2002)

Following a study into the vulnerability of transport systems in the wake of the September 11 attacks, the
leaders at the G8 summit in Calgary approved a series of measures designed to prevent ships from being
infiltrated and to make it easier to identify them. Does the European Union have plans to put forward any
legislative proposals in this area?

In recent years, there have been increasing reports of piracy, especially in the South China Sea, but also in
Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central America and the Mediterranean. These acts of piracy frequently
involve criminal gangs and loss of life amongst ships’ crews whose families are rarely able to obtain justice
or even to discover the fate of their relatives. Some of the pirates steal ships to order in particular areas of
the world. Their activities are made easier by the ease with which fraudulent certificates are obtained.
Some government officials in the South-East Asia region are believed to turn a blind eye to these practices,
although the Indian Government has tried hard to stamp out the practice, with the Indian Navy achieving
some notable successes in the Bay of Bengal.

its 74th session in June 2001,

the Maritime Safety Committee of

At
the International Maritime
Organisation (IMO) received the results of a research study on fraudulent practices associated with
certificates of competency and endorsements which was funded by the Governments of Cyprus, the United
Kingdom, Norway, the European Union and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU).
Of the maritime administrations which responded to a questionnaire designed to cast light on the issue of
unlawful practices associated with certificates of competency and equivalent endorsements, 39 % had
reported a total of 12,635 detected cases of forgery, and, in particular, those issued under Chapters V and
VI of the Revised International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for

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Seafarers (1995). Fraudulent practices involving the certification process were also detected. These practices
were attributed to administrative inability or unwillingness to effectively apply existing regulations.

Does the European Commission feel that it has a responsibility to help stamp out these practices, and what
initiatives has it taken in the light of the report’s findings?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 2002)

In the recent meeting in Kananaskis (26 and 27 June 2002, Canada), the leaders of the Group of eight
most industrialised countries and the Union expressed their support for the work which is currently being
done at IMO (International Maritime Organisation) level and in particular the amendments to the SOLAS
(Safety Of Life At Sea) Convention for ship and port facility security. As soon as these amendments are
finalised by the IMO, the Commission has the intention of proposing the inclusion of the IMO rules into
the body of Community legislation. Moreover, the Commission will publish a communication on the
development of rules in the field of maritime security before the end of 2002.

The Commission supports and stimulates the work of the ILO (International Labour Organisation) on
better identification of seafarers. Again, as for the IMO, when agreement will be reached at
the
international level, it shall propose a Community wide enforcement legislation.

The Commission also supports the objective of ensuring security for seagoing containers. In that respect it
is actually involved in the technical work that is being carried out by the WCO (World Customs
Organisation). Once more,
internationally agreed rules shall be enforced at
Community level.

the implementation of

Linked to general concerns on security, piracy poses similar challenges. The Commission is convinced that
the measures at present designed at IMO level on maritime security will contribute equally to fighting
piracy attacks.

As regards the issue of fraudulent practices associated with certificates of competency and endorsements,
the Commission is deeply concerned about the alarming results of the research study commissioned by the
IMO, which it co-financed. It supports all efforts, and notably the Port State Control Authority on the
framework of the Paris Memorandum of understanding, to reduce unlawful practices, due to the obvious
safety concerns that arise as a result of misconduct.

The Commission continues to monitor that Directive 2001/25/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of
4 April 2001 on the minimum level of training of seafarers (1), transposing into Community law the
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers of 1995,
is thoroughly transposed into national legislation and enforced satisfactory in the Member States.

(1) OJ L 136, 18.5.2001.

(2003/C 52 E/161)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2233/02

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

(23 July 2002)

Subject: Political crisis in Madagascar

Following the general election of 16 December 2001 and the final ruling of the High Constitutional Court
on 29 April 2002, Marc Ravalomanana has been elected President of Madagascar.

in spite of

However,
signed on 18 April 2002 by the new president,
Mr Ravalomanana, and the outgoing president, Didier Ratsiraka, which provided for the formation of a
transitional government of reconciliation until the recount of the votes cast on 16 December 2001,
Mr Ratsiraka is refusing to recognise the court ruling.

the Dakar Agreement,