WRITTEN QUESTION E-0055/03 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Establishment of a European coastguard service to ensure that hazardous cargoes can be safely transported by sea.
Date: 2003-01-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: environmental protection, maritime surveillance, maritime transport, pollution control measures, pollution from ships, prevention of pollution, transport of dangerous goods

C 268 E/66

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

7.11.2003

(2003/C 268 E/068)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0055/03

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

(22 January 2003)

Subject: Establishment of a European coastguard service to ensure that hazardous cargoes can be safely

transported by sea

Will the initiatives to be proposed by the Commission following the ‘Prestige’ disaster include the
establishment of a European coastguard service (similar to the coastguard set up in the USA following the
‘Exxon Valdez’ accident) in order to ensure that hazardous cargoes can be transported safely through the
EU’s coastal waters?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 2003)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answers to Written Question E-3545/02 by
Mr Scarbonchi (1) and to Oral Question No H-872/02 put by Mr Cushnahan (2) during question time at
Parliament’s January 2003 session.

(1) See page 39.
(2) Oral answer on 14.1.2002.

(2003/C 268 E/069)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0062/03

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

(22 January 2003)

Subject: Visit to Galicia by the Commission President, Mr Romano Prodi, in order to assess at first hand the

effects of the ‘Prestige’ disaster

Is the Commission President, Mr Romano Prodi, thinking of visiting Galicia and the other affected areas in
order to experience at first hand the effects of the accident involving the ‘Prestige’? Why has he not been to
Galicia in the same way as he went to Central Europe when disastrous flooding occurred last summer?
Was he invited to go to Galicia at the time of the accident by the President of the Galician Regional
Government, Manuel Fraga, or by the Spanish Prime Minister, José Maria Aznar?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(5 March 2003)

The President of the Commission has followed very closely and attentively the damage caused by the
sinking of the ‘Prestige’ even though he did not go to Galicia. He has continually shown personal
commitment to the consequences of the ‘Prestige’ disaster and to preventive measures in similar situations,
in an endeavour to find positive solutions.

Furthermore, in accordance with the mandate conferred upon it by the Copenhagen European Council
(point 34 of its conclusions), the Commission has already taken urgent measures which were submitted to
the Heads of State or Government, and other measures will be carried out in the short and medium term
in an attempt to prevent or alleviate the consequences of disasters like those which have affected the
Galician coastline.

Between now and June 2003, the Commission will review current legislative and policy instruments,
mainly concerning the environment but also in the fields of health, research,
fisheries and regional
development, in order to determine whether they need to be adapted to minimise the risk of recurrence of
such accidents and the immediate and longer-term damage they cause.