WRITTEN QUESTION E-3596/02 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Clean-up vessels and Prestige-type disasters.
Date: 2002-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, EU office or agency, Galicia, anti-pollution device, hydrocarbon, maritime safety, maritime transport, pollution control measures, transport accident, vessel

9.10.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 242 E/63

organisations and natural persons in addition to public authorities. As part of the Call for Expressions of
Interest for the selection of the .eu TLD Registry, applicants were requested to provide information about
the measures envisaged to promote effectively the .eu TLD.

Difference between requests of .eu domain names on the basis of non-profit or for-profit organisations

The Registry will be entrusted with the organisation, the administration and the management of the .eu
TLD. The Regulation provides that the Registry shall impose fees directly related to costs incurred and the
Commission is reserving the means to control the management of the .eu TLD, including its pricing policy.

(1) http://europa.eu.int/information_society/topics/telecoms/internet/page2/text_en.htm.
(2) http://europa.eu.int/information_society/topics/telecoms/internet/eu_domain/index_en.htm.
(3) OJ C 208, 3.9.2002.
(4) http://europa.eu.int/information_society/newsroom/press_services/contact/text_en.htm.

(2003/C 242 E/063)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3595/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(13 December 2002)

Subject: Measures to stop the sunken remains of the ‘Prestige’ tanker spilling more fuel oil

What measures are being taken to stop the sunken remains of the ‘Prestige’ tanker spilling more fuel oil, so
as to ensure the protection and preservation of the coastline in Galicia and elsewhere in Europe from the
consequences of further spills?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2003)

The Commission fully shares the preoccupation expressed by the Honourable Member regarding the
problem caused by the oil in the wreck of the Prestige which represents a threat not only for the coast of
Galicia, but more widely for the marine and coastal environment of France, Spain and Portugal.

Immediately after the accident of the Prestige, the Commission has been in close contact with the Spanish
authorities, in order to make the expertise and combating equipment of other Member States available.

More particularly, concerning the problem of the wreck of the Prestige, the Commission has proposed the
participation of European experts to the Scientific Committee that has been established by the Spanish
authorities in order to assess issues relating to the wreck.

(2003/C 242 E/064)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3596/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Clean-up vessels and ‘Prestige’-type disasters

(13 December 2002)

When the ‘Prestige’ disaster hit the Galician coast, the Spanish state was unable to supply a single clean-up
vessel capable of dealing with fuel oil. The vessels which arrived later from France, the Netherlands,
Germany, the UK and Belgium could not start operations for several days, as they were not equipped to
confront waves over 2,5 metres high. How was this lack of facilities allowed to arise? What measures will

C 242 E/64

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

9.10.2003

the Commission take to make good this vital component in the fight against the disastrous consequences
of accidents of this type? What measures will it introduce, specifically, for a particularly sensitive area such
as Galicia?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 2003)

With regard to the clean-up operation, the assistance arrangements agreed between the Commission and
the national structures responsible for handling this type of disaster ensured immediate access to the
resources available around the Community.

The authorities in the affected areas were able to make rapid use of the available assistance, including
vessels and other special clean-up equipment.

In addition, there are plans to invest the European Maritime Safety Agency with the authority and the
means to tackle pollution. A proposal to amend the Regulation which established the Agency is to be put
forward for that purpose.

(2003/C 242 E/065)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3597/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(13 December 2002)

Subject: EU funding to deal with the economic, social and ecological consequences of the ‘Prestige’ disaster

for the Galician coastline

What specific and additional EU financial resources will be allocated to dealing with the economic, social
and ecological consequences of the ‘Prestige’ disaster? Will recourse be had to the Solidarity Fund which
was created following the natural disasters in Germany and Austria? Will an additional fund be created if
necessary? Will there be full and swift compensation for the economic losses suffered, not only by the
activities directly affected but also by all the other economic operators related to those activities?

(2003/C 242 E/066)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3598/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(13 December 2002)

Subject: Estimated cost of the ‘Exxon Valdez’ disaster to the economy of the Alaskan coastline and expected

costs of the ‘Prestige’ disaster for the Galician coastal areas

The cost of the ‘Exxon Valdez’ disaster to the economy of the Alaskan coastline, in accordance with the US
authorities’ determination of Exxon’s liability,
is estimated at USD 1 billion in damage to the natural
environment, plus a further USD 2 billion in depollution measures and other necessary action. Given that
the impact of the ‘Prestige’ disaster on Galicia’s coastal areas exceeds that caused by the ‘Exxon Valdez’,
what
the
is the Commission’s estimate for Galicia? What mechanisms and legal procedures will
Commission employ to demand the necessary compensation?