Oversight and monitoring of joint operations at sea

24.1.2014

Question for written answer P-000723-14
to the Commission
Rule 117
Monika Hohlmeier (PPE)

In light of recent events involving a vessel which capsized off the coast of the Greek island of Farmakonisi, where only 16 of the 28 people on board were rescued, the conduct of the Greek border authorities remains unclear. Although Farmakonisi lies within the operating area of the EU joint operation Poseidon Sea, the European Agency for the Management of External Borders, which is responsible for joint operations, has no basis under current legislation for investigating such incidents and can only monitor the follow-up to the incident if the host Member State confirms that joint operation resources were used. The Greek authorities have said that neither joint operation personnel nor co-financed equipment was involved.

1. Can the Commission confirm that the information received from the Greek authorities regarding a search and rescue operation contradicts the information that survivors have given to the UNHCR and that of other sources which claim the boat was subjected to a push-back operation and capsized?

2. Does the Commission know of any similar incidents in the region?

3. Given that the current regulations governing joint operations at sea do not allow for full oversight of the operating area by the EU, how does the Commission intend to address these shortcomings in order to grant the EU and competent agencies fully fledged oversight of areas where joint operations take place?

4. Does the Commission intend, in the light of European legislation and human rights law, to request full information from the Greek authorities and to initiate an investigation of the incident?

OJ C 286, 27/08/2014