WRITTEN QUESTION E-0012/03 by Helle Thorning-Schmidt (PSE) to the Commission. Port services.
Date: 2003-01-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: common ports policy, drafting of EU law, liberalisation of the market, maritime safety, market access, terrorism

C 222 E/132

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.9.2003

‘Prestige’ oil tanker off the north-west coast of Spain (see paragraphs 32, 33 and 34 of the Conclusions).
The Council described the damage caused to the marine and socioeconomic environment, and the threat
to the livelihood of thousands of people, as intolerable.

What concrete steps did the Council take to help the victims by 31 December 2002? In addition to its
commitment to take precautionary measures to avoid any similar future disasters, are any measures being
taken to provide Spain with additional financial assistance?

Reply

(13 May 2003)

The Council would refer
to its reply to Questions E-3563/02 put by
Brice Hortefeux, E-3581/02, E-3582/02, E-3583/02, E-3584/02, E-3587/02 and E-3589/02 put by Camilo
Nogueira Román, E-3625/02 put by Paolo Costa and others and E-3761/02 put by Emmanouil
Bakopoulos on the same subject.

the Honourable Member

(2003/C 222 E/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0011/03

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Value of the euro against other world currencies

(10 January 2003)

The Commission informs me in its answer to my question No E-0177/02 (1) of 5 February 2002 that the
European Central Bank (ECB) publishes reference values for 28 currencies.

Can the Commission provide a list of those currencies among the 28 which appreciated or depreciated
against the euro between its introduction on 1 January 1999 and the end of 2002,
indicating the
percentage change in the exchange rate between the currency concerned and the euro?

(1) OJ C 301 E, 5.12.2002, p. 28.

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(10 February 2003)

Given that it is the ECB that collects and publishes this information, it may be better to consult the source
directly. At the ECB web site (http://www.ecb.int/stats/eurofxref/) information can easily be found about
reference rates, based on the regular daily concertation procedure between central banks within and
outside the European System of Central Banks. Historical series of a subset of the reference rates are also
published in the Monthly Bulletin.

(2003/C 222 E/155)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0012/03

by Helle Thorning-Schmidt (PSE) to the Commission

(20 January 2003)

Subject: Port services

In February 2001, the Commission presented a proposal for a directive on market access to port services,
which was revised in February 2002.

As a result of the events of 11 September 2001, the American authorities have implemented a set of rules
requiring various degrees of certification/identification of employees handling freight to the USA, including
dockers.

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Official Journal of the European Union

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There are also plans to overhaul the IMO’s Convention for the safety of life at sea, SOLAS, to take account
of the problem of combating terrorism. This will have consequences affecting those who are allowed to
handle cargo, containers, etc. in ports.

How does the Commission intend to take into account the problem of combating terrorism in the
directive on market access to port services?

Will it be tabling a new proposal for a directive incorporating the aspect of combating terrorism? If not,
can it explain how it will ensure a high level of security in connection with self-handling (see Article 13 of
the directive)?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(25 February 2003)

The Commission does not believe that the proposed Directive on ‘Market Access to Port Services’ (1) is the
appropriate legislative act to include security measures following the announcement or the adoption of
such initiatives by the Community or by the United States.

As regards in particular the revised Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, the Honourable Member is
informed that this Convention only covers security aspects onboard vessels and the immediate interface
between ships and port facilities but not the entire complexity of port operations.

The Commission intends to bring forward a proposal aimed at
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Diplomatic Conference into Community legislation.

incorporating the results of

the

Furthermore, it is carrying out work on a legislative proposal dealing more specifically with port security.
It is intended that this initiative would cover security aspects in the port as a whole as well as certain
intermodal aspects concerning links between ports and the hinterland.

(1) OJ C 154 E, 29.5.2001.

(2003/C 222 E/156)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0018/03

by Mario Mantovani (PPE-DE) to the Council

(20 January 2003)

Subject: Floods in northern Italy

Following the serious damage caused by severe landslides and overflowing rivers in Italy in the last few
days, in particular across the provinces of Varese, Como, Lecco, Bergamo, Brescia and Lodi as a result of
the exceptional rainfall in the region, and taking into account the serious financial difficulties the affected
areas have to tackle in order to pay for the damage, does the Council,
in view of the exceptional
circumstances of the disaster, intend to ensure that emergency use is made of the Solidarity Fund (Council
Regulation (EC) No 2012/02 (1) of 11 November 2002)
to help the affected areas cope with the
consequences of the serious damage caused?

(1) OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3.

Reply

(8 May 2003)

In accordance with Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002
establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund, assistance from the Fund may be mainly mobilised in
case a Member State is struck by a major natural disaster.