Text tabled : A6-0334/2008

  Vincent Peillon (PSE), in writing. – (FR) I voted in favour of this report by my Belgian colleague, Mr Sterckx, on the regulation of maritime traffic. Since the Erika shipwreck of 1999 and that of the Prestige in 2002, we have been waiting in vain for European solutions to ensure that such disasters never happen again. Far from having decreased, the risk increases every day: maritime traffic is set to triple in the next 30 years.

In spite of this worrying prediction, the majority of Member States have been quick to ‘sink’ the main measures put forward by the Commission and supported by the European Socialists. One noticeable disappearance is that of an insurance policy, by means of a financial guarantee, that would make it easier for the victims of maritime disasters to be compensated.

Adopting this report means opposing cynicism and the irresponsibility of states. Parliament can be proud of its unity, because, through its vote today, it is showing its unstinting commitment to safer and less polluted European waters.