Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-06-14-Speech-3-342"
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"en.20060614.20.3-342"2
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".
Mr President, Commissioner, I would like to pay tribute to the rapporteur, Mr Costa, and to congratulate him on his work.
Today we are dealing with an issue that is very important for public security, namely increasing protection measures – I repeat, protection measures – in the field of civil aviation. It is the next step towards a reduction in the threats, especially terrorist threats, associated with the use of civil aircraft to transport people and goods. We must admit that the 2002 regulation currently in force contains too many specific and formal solutions which make a flexible response to operational needs difficult. It is vital to retain an appropriate balance between the need for an effective and hence rapid response and an appropriate level of protection and control.
Of course, it is also necessary to make the right decisions regarding the cost of the action required. It is a shame that the draft regulation does not cover this issue. I would be happy, Commissioner, to know at least an estimate of the necessary expenditure. It is good that the Member States are given the responsibility for drawing up appropriate plans for civil aviation security. Air carriers and operators are responsible for implementing programmes and technical conditions that ensure the right level of protection. Appropriate training for personnel is also required. We should also pay attention to the need for safety standards, and not lower them in an attempt to make savings.
The next very important issue is to draw up appropriate agreements or contracts with countries outside the EU. It is therefore good that the regulation contains relevant provisions in Article 17 referring to that problem. I am glad to see that the annex to the regulation is clear and has a structure that permits, if necessary, the introduction of specific implementation guidelines.
I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to draw your attention to the necessity of using measures and methods which will not be unnecessarily onerous or even humiliating for passengers. This applies to disabled passengers or parents with small children. Strange situations also occur, for example when a passenger has a very small nail file confiscated and shortly after, on board, if she is travelling business class, is given a metal knife and fork.
Finally, I would like to state my conviction that the draft regulation presented by the Commission will be improved thanks to the approval of a series of very rational amendments, something I support on behalf of the Union for Europe of the Nations Group. Perhaps you know what one mother is supposed to have said to her pilot son: ‘Only fly slowly and low’. I would put it differently: ‘Let us fly fast and as high as is necessary, but let us always fly safely’."@en1
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