Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2008-10-22-Speech-3-423"
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"en.20081022.23.3-423"2
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Madam President, Mr Mavrommatis is always very active and always involved in issues regarding transport. The Commission’s proposals are always accompanied by an impact assessment. This is true in particular of the November 2005 proposals on the third maritime safety package.
The Commission’s proposals in this sector take particular account of the relevant international conventions. In the majority of cases, the purpose of the legislative proposals is to invite the Member States to ratify the conventions or to implement them within the Community. They are never born out of an attempt to acquire new competences. I would like to clear up a common misunderstanding: the Community already has the necessary competences for maritime safety within the framework of the common transport policy. It is, however, inevitable that when the European Parliament and the Council legislate, Member States’ ability to act in isolation at international level is therefore limited.
Nonetheless, this is not to Member States’ disadvantage. Indeed, it serves to strengthen our collective influence within the international community, thereby increasing the level of protection of the life of citizens and of the environment. Sometimes, Europe must simply take the initiative. This happened, for example, when we introduced the accelerated withdrawal of single-hull oil tankers and our decision was then followed by a similar one on the part of the International Maritime Organisation.
Mr Mavrommatis, you are well aware of the problems with the International Maritime Organisation: we cannot always take decisions on our own. There are competences that do not concern Europe, and continual comparison with this organisation is therefore necessary, not least because our seas are frequented by vessels flying the flags of countries that do not belong to our Union.
With the proposed new legislation on maritime safety, the Commission hopes, though, to redress the balance of the global dimension of maritime transport, which calls for global solutions while taking account of the limitations of the global legal framework.
Mr Mavrommatis, Community action is a tangible expression of the collective effort and commitment of the Member States, not an imposition from the outside, running counter to their interests. Thanks to our efforts and yours, the number of vessels in European waters that do not comply with current standards has dropped dramatically. The Commission will continue to pursue a balanced but proactive policy, with the protection of the life and livelihood of our citizens as its main objective."@en1
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