Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-11-21-Speech-4-164"
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"en.20021121.7.4-164"2
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"Mr President, Commissioner, honourable Members, as a native of Galicia I feel devastated. I am quite overcome by the spectacle unfolding before us. As a politician, I am keenly aware of the heavy responsibility we bear as Members of this House. We are charged with defending the interests of our constituents and we must succeed in so doing. Vague statements and half-truths simply will not do any longer. As the Commissioner said, this has to be the last tragedy at sea.
I should indeed like to begin by commending Commissioner de Palacio on her work. To all intents and purposes, before she was appointed there was no such thing as a European policy on maritime safety. We now have a substantial package of measures on the table, namely Erika I and Erika II.
The question as to whether these measures are adequate and whether they are being applied correctly has already been raised in the House. Clearly, the answer is no. The European Parliament must unite and throw its political weight behind the European Commission. It has to send out a clear signal. We need to work together to speed up implementation of these measures. They must come into force.
The Commissioner referred to double hulls. The latter are compulsory in the United States, and had that been the case here, this accident probably would not have happened. The Commissioner also mentioned inspections at ports within the European Community, which is where we should start, and at all other ports in Europe and across the world. All ports should actually be monitored, be they colonies, tax havens or ports of convenience as some have been described. The Maritime Safety Agency has to start operating as soon as possible.
Sadly, as a native of Galicia I am all too aware of the unfortunate record held by that part of Spain. Eight such accidents have taken place there over the last thirty years. Six of these accidents happened in the last twenty years. In Galicia the Atlantic coast of the Cape Finisterre area is known as the Coast of Death. The European Agency should be located in an area affected by maritime accidents. It should be in one that has experienced their consequences. Perhaps others could offer more than my region. Locating the Agency in Galicia could however go some way towards compensating the area. I know this falls outside the competence of both Parliament and the Commission, but I feel moved to express my thoughts aloud.
In any case, the resolution calls for the establishment of special maritime fishing areas. Undoubtedly, Galicia does fall into that category because of its rich shellfish and fishing resources mentioned earlier, and also because of its diversity and marine ecosystem. We are eager to move what could be termed the lanes of death further away from where they now are. We want to prevent our sea from becoming a sewer. We want to prevent vessels that are no better than rusting hulks from sailing on it. The sea is Galicia’s life. Galicia’s economy is based on it and I could go so far as to say that its distinctive culture is too. Unfortunately, ladies and gentlemen, that sea is now poisoned.
These measures must be strictly implemented as from tomorrow. We must insist that Member States do so. Mr President, I really feel the time has come for European solidarity to make itself felt. I would recall that we have ourselves shown solidarity to other Member States in the past. We now call on them to respond in kind. Any assistance offered to Galicia will be welcome. I would like to refer in particular to the Solidarity Fund. I studied Article 2 and it certainly does apply in this instance, especially if the reports approved by the House are borne in mind. It should also be taken into account that Galicia is an Objective 1 region whose fish and shellfish resources represent more than 10% of its gross domestic product. Given that these are in danger of being totally wiped out for an unspecified period, Galicia does indeed meet the conditions for benefiting from the Solidarity Fund.
In conclusion, I should like to assure the Commissioner that she can count on support from the Group of the European People’s Party. Indeed I am sure the whole House will support her in her efforts. We need to be able to start doing what is required as of tomorrow. Then we shall never again have to regret accidents of this kind. Thank you in advance, ladies and gentlemen, for the support I am confident you will offer us."@en1
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