Stenograma dezbaterilor

Miercuri, 10 octombrie 2007 - Bruxelles

19. O politică maritimă a Uniunii Europene

  Przewodniczący. Kolejnym punktem porządku dziennego jest debata nad komunikatem Komisji dotyczącym polityki morskiej dla Unii Europejskiej.

  Joe Borg, Member of the Commission. Mr President, today is a noteworthy day. Exactly 500 years ago the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller created his striking single vision of a brave new world in which Europe was linked to Africa, Asia and the Americas by its oceans and seas. 10 October also marks the day when the King of Portugal mandated Bartolomeu Dias to seek a trade route leading to Asia, and in the United States Columbus’s discovery of the New World is celebrated today. It is therefore a day worth recalling in the maritime world.

For my part, I am proud to come here today to this Parliament to talk about a new and exciting maritime future for Europe. This is a future that builds on the strong maritime heritage that Europe has inherited from the past, yet which also looks strategically forward to determine how Europe’s well-being and prosperity, so closely dependent on the oceans and seas, can be enhanced.

Inspired by our own distinct vision of the oceans and seas, the Commission earlier today proposed an integrated maritime policy for the Union. For the first time in its 50 years of existence, the European Union has explicitly recognised that an integrated approach is needed for the seas and the oceans. This radical departure has its origins in the compelling argument that there is a maritime dimension to virtually every major issue facing Europe today – energy, climate change, innovation, international competitiveness, job creation, environmental protection, trade, transport and so on. Whichever sector one looks at, one can see strong links that run between them and the maritime sector. It would be unwise, indeed short-sighted, for the European Union to operate in these policy areas without taking account of their overlap with maritime affairs. What we need is a single vision where policymaking can be done in a cohesive and all-embracing manner so as to maximise the potential of these intense and complex interrelations.

At a time when the discussions about global warming, globalisation and EU competitiveness have acquired new urgency, one can hardly ignore the undeniable need for a maritime strategy that directly treats these issues. Today I am pleased to announce that the College of Commissioners backed an integrated policy document that will deliver exactly what the European Union has lacked until now: a genuine, single vision of the oceans and seas. It is not just a question of fisheries or shipping, or of trade or regional development, or of research or employment, or of the environment or relations with third countries. It is a policy that encompasses these, brings all these strengths together and treats them as an interrelated whole. It is a policy that will feed from and into other Community policies.

At the College meeting earlier today, it was in fact a package of documents that was adopted. This package is made up of three key components. The first is a communication which details the aforementioned integrated maritime policy for the European Union. This is accompanied by an action plan which outlines the first steps that will be taken towards implementing the policy. Then there is a communication which sets out the conclusions reached following the broad and immensely successful public consultation that was held over a period of one year.

You will quickly recognise the key elements of the package, I believe, because they reflect in large measure the priorities you yourselves have expressed. Allow me to just mention the following: deploying Europe’s strengths to combat climate change through research and innovation, through more sophisticated planning for vulnerable coastlines and by taking the lead in international discussions; a European strategy for marine research and a commitment to excellence in marine research technology and innovation to help meet the Lisbon goals for growth and jobs and to fully exploit the opportunities that lie in new technologies; better regulation of maritime transport to help create a true, barrier-free European maritime transport space in the internal market and to support Europe’s external trade in this era of globalisation; respect for the crucial role in driving economic growth and an examination of how EU funding can best reinforce sustainable growth and boost prosperity in remote and disadvantaged regions; ensuring that all forms of development take account of the environmental impact by fostering environmentally friendly shipping, reducing pollution risks and promoting ecosystem-based fisheries; better use of planning tools, data networks and horizontal coordination to support decision-making for marine spaces and coastal areas and to ensure international compliance with rules; backing maritime clusters and regional centres of maritime excellence to raise Europe’s competitiveness.

This will particularly help small firms that are such an important part of Europe’s high-tech maritime industries. It will help realise the huge growth potential of coastal and maritime tourism and it will be an additional element in helping to improve the attractiveness of maritime careers.

The Commission today also adopted a communication aimed at boosting the attractiveness of maritime careers by initiating a review of the exclusions faced by seafarers and fishermen from various pieces of the European Union’s labour legislation. This is a sensitive area of great concern to many of our stakeholders. A background document on the important links between the European Union energy policy and maritime policy has also been published today.

We well know that there are enormous challenges ahead. To address these, we need concrete proposals – proposals that are ambitious enough to meet the challenges we face head on. In past centuries the seas and oceans have opened up new and exciting opportunities for Europe. Now, at the start of the 21st century, we hope to discover our own modern-day New World of opportunities. I believe that we really are at the start of something new. I also believe that by setting in motion the actions detailed in the package adopted today we will be firmly setting Europe on the path to explore these opportunities in a novel way. As the saying goes, ‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained’ and, while that is true and most certainly is part of the inspiration that propels us forward, it is prudent to note that, like the voyages of discovery of the past, today’s venture will have a cost too.

There will be a first stage in 2008 characterised by a series of preparatory actions; these will need the involvement of other partners and we will need to secure, together with your support, the necessary funding. These actions are a direct follow-up to the thinking behind your report of 12 July, where I was delighted to see that you had clearly indicated your backing for these actions. There are a number of other supporting actions which are already well advanced and which include a communication of 17 October on port policy, another on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and a third on sustainable tourism. These will later be followed by actions on maritime clusters and on maritime transport. Complementing all of this will be a discussion on 22 October in Lisbon with the 27 Member State ministers responsible for maritime affairs, which will include ministers of transport, fisheries, the environment and defence, amongst others. This will feed into a later discussion which will take place at the December European Council with a view to endorsing this policy.

Today is, therefore, not the end of the voyage, nor is it the beginning. It is, however, a significant milestone, marking a decisive shift away from a period of reflection to what you in Parliament requested of us and what we in the Commission are looking forward to: a period of action.

The European Parliament has been a key player in this process and has given us invaluable feedback. I would, therefore, like to renew my thanks to Parliament in general and to the rapporteurs and Members who have shown particular interest in this project more specifically. I have been particularly glad to take part in many of the hearings and meetings held in Parliament. I sincerely look forward to continuing this dialogue. Parliament will remain a central figure in the evolution of this policy. Making a success of the maritime policy is not something that the Commission can, or wishes to, undertake alone. Its success depends on maintaining a common approach. I hope that I can count on your continued collaboration.

As I said at the start of my statement, today is indeed noteworthy. We have set sail on a new and exciting adventure. This is an adventure that we trust and believe will bring increased and sustained prosperity to Europe. We have ahead of us an ocean of opportunity.

  Matthias Groote (PSE). – Herr Präsident, sehr geehrter Herr Kommissar! Ich möchte auf diesem Weg den Berichterstatter des Parlaments für das Grünbuch Meerespolitik, Willi Piecyk, entschuldigen. Er kann heute nicht hier sein, und ich soll die besten Grüße übermitteln.

Ich möchte ein Lob aussprechen – ich bin Mitglied im Umweltausschuss –, was die landseitige Anbindung der Schiffe angeht. Das ist aufgenommen worden, und es ist sehr gut für die Luftqualität in Europa, wenn wir eine solche Entscheidung herbeiführen können, und auch sehr gut für die Einsparung von CO2. Im Grünbuch Meerespolitik ist auch die Rede davon, dass die Schiffe in das Emissionshandelssystem aufgenommen werden sollen. Wir sind gerade in der ersten Lesung, was die Einbeziehung des Flugverkehrs in den Emissionshandel angeht.

Der Flugverkehr ist ja auch nicht im Kyoto-Protokoll vorgesehen, und daher eine ganz konkrete Frage: Wann will die Kommission einen Vorschlag für die Einbeziehung des Schiffsverkehrs in den Emissionshandel vorlegen?

ΠΡΟΕΔΡΙΑ: ΡΟΔΗ ΚΡΑΤΣΑ-ΤΣΑΓΚΑΡΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ
Αντιπρόεδρος

  Marios Matsakis (ALDE). – Madam President, may I, on the occasion of this Commission communication on a maritime policy for the EU, remind this House of the continuing embargo imposed several years ago by Turkey on all shipping associated with the Republic of Cyprus. This embargo inflicts significant damage to the shipping industry not just of Cyprus but of the EU in general...

(Remarks from the floor)

I am speaking English. It would indeed be exciting if we had interpretation from English to English.

I was just talking about the embargo that Turkey has imposed on Cyprus for several years now, and I was saying that this is causing extreme damage not just to Cyprus, which is a Member State, but to the EU in general.

May I once again ask the Commission to redouble its efforts to convince the Turkish Government to reconsider its decision to continue to uphold this unfair and unnecessary embargo on the shipping of an EU Member State.

I understand that we must be soft – rather soft – on Turkey, but our patience is running out. After all, what sort of maritime policy can we have if the ships of a Member State cannot use the ports in the shipping lanes of a candidate Member State?

Please, Commissioner, can you reassure us that you will give this matter your urgent and serious attention?

  Struan Stevenson (PPE-DE). – Madam President, I want to congratulate Commissioner Borg on this very welcome and visionary action plan addressing specifically the fisheries points which are of interest to me: the integrated network for maritime surveillance, which I think is absolutely vital if we are going to improve safety and stamp out illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing; the plan to stop destructive bottom trawling in the high seas; the plan to improve the conditions of the people who work in the fishing industry, one of the most dangerous and poorly paid jobs in the EU; the improved cooperation between coastguards; the ending of discards and the promotion of aquaculture, which provides 65 000 full-time jobs in the EU – all of these are wonderful.

I particularly like the idea of the road map towards maritime spatial planning and my question is on that specific issue. Who will pay for this? Some Member States have already done this. They already have spatial plans for their maritime areas. I think there will be a commercial value for these maritime spatial plans. Who is going to pay for it in the mean time?

  Joe Borg, Member of the Commission. Madam President, on the question put by the honourable Member, Mr Groote, concerning CO2 emissions: I would like to underline the fact that emissions coming from vessels in connection with maritime transport in absolute terms are lower than in other categories like air transport and even road.

However, on an individual basis, it is true that the CO2 emissions coming from individual vessels are significant. Therefore, it makes sense that action is taken and that the shipping industry is encouraged to take the necessary action in order to reduce CO2 if we want to maximise the potential for growth with regard to maritime transport – because there is no doubt that there is enormous potential to grow further with regard to maritime transport, but this has to be in conjunction with a reduction in CO2 emissions if we want to bring about a situation which makes maritime transport even appear to be much more consumer friendly.

To do this, it is important to underline the fact that, since we are dealing with a global industry, initiatives should be taken first and foremost on the international front. Therefore, there should be an international effort and the European Union would be prepared to take the lead, within the International Maritime Organisation, in order to set standards with regard to CO2 emissions. In the absence of progress, the Commission would consider other options in order to bring about a situation whereby CO2 emissions are effectively reduced.

One can also mention the fact that there are cases where, because of the existing discrepancies, there is, in a way, an incentive to increase CO2 emissions. For example, in berthing, since there is taxation for the use of electricity in a port, many vessels end up leaving their engines running in order to save on costs because there is duty exemption on fuel.

Therefore, if there is a measure whereby this discrepancy is removed, then there would be an incentive for vessels to make use of the electricity grid imports.

Concerning the question raised by Mr Matsakis concerning the embargo of Turkey on Cyprus, I would like first of all to underline the fact that, with regard to accession negotiations for Turkey, one or two of the chapters that have not been opened and will not be opened until Turkey remedies, relate to transport and fisheries, which is my area of responsibility. Therefore, we are doing our utmost in order to convince Turkey to reconsider its position.

Obviously, we are looking into this in order to see how one can work closer with Turkey, in order for it to apply – and also in preparation for its eventual accession – the Community acquis on suchlike measures.

I would also like to say that with regard to the question raised by Mr Stevenson concerning spatial planning and who will pay for spatial planning, what we are proposing is not that there would be a communitisation of spatial planning, but that spatial planning should be the responsibility and the function of the Member States.

However, we would like to see and encourage Member States that have not adopted the spatial planning system to introduce it as other Member States have done. We can quote examples of spatial planning that have been introduced by certain Member States as examples of this practice for other Member States to follow.

We will try to see that there is a certain congruency of the spatial planning measures that are introduced by different Member States so that we do not end up with the situation with regimes which are significantly different from one another.

So we will incentivise the formation of spatial planning systems; we will help build the necessary tools in order to be able to operate spatial planning in a more effective way and we will try to set guidelines in order to establish a common pattern for spatial planning, but it is ultimately the responsibility and the function of Member States to introduce spatial planning with regard to their own waters.

  Margie Sudre (PPE-DE). – Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Commissaire, chers collègues, je ne peux qu'accueillir tout à fait favorablement la volonté de la Commission européenne de regrouper au sein d'une politique intégrée ce qui était auparavant des politiques sectorielles séparées et parfois un peu incohérentes.

Je salue l'accent qui a été mis sur une utilisation durable des ressources, le souhait de développer un savoir-faire maritime, de promouvoir l'emploi durable ainsi que de maximiser la qualité de vie des populations côtières. Tout cela va dans le bon sens.

La future politique maritime devrait mieux intégrer les spécificités des régions ultrapériphériques ainsi que leurs atouts. Les régions ultrapériphériques bénéficient de ressources halieutiques préservées. Il faut en tenir compte. Mais surtout, ces régions pourraient être un véritable laboratoire et un lieu d'expérimentation et de développement des énergies renouvelables marines tout à fait formidable.

La Commission compte-t-elle tirer parti des territoires exceptionnels que représentent les régions ultrapériphériques et qui composent l'Union européenne?

  Paulo Casaca (PSE). – Senhor Comissário, permita-me que lhe dirija as maiores felicitações porque, neste trabalho há efectivamente uma aproximação que é a que precisamos para as duas grandes questões da pesca. Por um lado cuidar das condições de trabalho dos pescadores, por outro lado, a aproximação da pesca através dos ecossistemas.

No entanto, eu gostaria de perguntar ao Senhor Comissário se confirma a notícia do Financial Times, segundo a qual existe um estudo encomendado pela Direcção-Geral das Pescas que critica acerbamente os efeitos da microgestão dos ecossistemas a partir de Bruxelas, que faz um balanço desastroso da Política Comum das Pescas ao longo de vinte e cinco anos e que afirma que a sobrepesca é muito maior na Europa do que no resto do mundo. Se esse estudo existe, se ele vai ser transmitido à Comissão das Pescas do Parlamento Europeu, e o que é que o Senhor Comissário entende sobre essas críticas.

  Philippe Morillon (ALDE). – Madame la Président, je vais joindre évidemment mes félicitations au commissaire Borg pour l'œuvre accomplie. Il a conclu par believe and trust, et j'avais envie, moi, de penser tout de suite à believe and dare, qui a été à un moment une très belle devise.

Croire et oser! Vous avez osé. Je pense aujourd'hui que la vision que vous avez développée de façon particulièrement claire dans la communication qui nous a été remise va, bien évidemment, dans le bon sens.

Je voudrais poser une question qui marquait l'inquiétude, quand même, du secteur de la pêche dans cette affaire. La mise en œuvre d'une gestion intégrée du littoral prendra, bien sûr, une partie de ses crédits à partir du Fonds européen pour la pêche. L'inquiétude serait que ce Fonds européen, dont nous avons déjà eu beaucoup de raisons de nous plaindre qu'il était insuffisant, soit seul mis en œuvre.

J'aimerais que le commissaire nous rassure sur ce point et nous confirme que les Fonds structurels, bien sûr, les fonds nécessaires au développement et à la préservation de l'environnement, contribueront aussi à la mise en œuvre de cette politique.

  Joe Borg, Member of the Commission. Madam President, first of all with regard to the question put by Ms Sudre concerning the ultraperipheral regions: there is no doubt that in a maritime policy we do not intend to formulate – as is clear, I think, from the blue paper, which has just been adopted, and the action plan – a one-size-fits-all policy. Therefore, the specificities of peripheral regions and ultraperipheral regions in particular need to be taken into account.

The other side of the coin is that the ultraperipherality offers the European Union enormous advantages. It gives us a reach into other oceans to which we would otherwise not have had direct access. And, if I can quote fisheries as one example, the fact that you have ultraperipheral regions in the Indian Ocean, for example, like La Réunion, is an example whereby we have a direct voice in the regional fisheries organisations that already exist and the ones that we are trying to promote for that sea.

So, I certainly would encourage looking at the specificities of ultraperipheral regions. We also have to see to it that we maximise the advantages that these ultraperipheral regions can enjoy. And, yes, where we can use them as a laboratory, for example, for the development of renewable energies, we should certainly try and promote and encourage that at the same time, seeing to it that their vulnerabilities are not prejudiced in any way.

Concerning the question put by Mr Casaca concerning the ecosystem approach, I would like first of all to say that, yes, we in the Directorate-General for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs had commissioned a study by experts. It is a normal periodical exercise that we undertake, on how the common fisheries policy has operated, what the possible pitfalls are that have been encountered, in order that, from that exercise, we can learn from past experience and try to improve things.

First of all, I have no problem with making this study available to the Committee on Fisheries. We know that it is very critical, but we accept that criticism because at the end of the day we are trying to implement the 2002 reforms of the common fisheries policy. We are still, in 2007, in the initial phases of real implementation of the 2002 reforms by moving in the direction of multiannual management and recovery plans, by moving in the direction of more ecosystem based management of fisheries.

We have inherited a large number of years of management of fisheries, in a way whereby it was overtaken by the scientific advances, by the enormous increase in the number of vessels that went beyond any limits of capacity so to speak as a counter to what can sustainably be caught. And we have to see to it that we redress the situation and bring about a system of sustainable fisheries, measures and initiatives again which I hope will have the full backing of Parliament: like a discards policy; measures and initiatives with regard to multiannual management of fisheries; management of fisheries by having more closed areas, closed seasons – these are all measures which go very much in the direction of the ecosystem approach to fisheries and the maximum sustainable yield.

We have had the first example of a management plan on the basis of maximum sustainable yields in the plaice and sole management plan which was adopted in Council only last June. So, we hope to continue moving in that direction in order to regain proper management of fisheries on the basis of the ecosystem approach.

On the question put by Mr Morillon, I would like, first of all, to assure him that the integrated approach towards maritime affairs will not be financed through the European Fisheries Fund. The European Fisheries Fund for 2007-2013 has been committed. We have received the national strategic plans and the operational programmes from virtually all Member States, we are looking into them and they are directed towards fisheries and aquaculture obviously.

However, with regard to maritime affairs, one has to look at other sources of financing. I would say that the most logical source of financing could be through the Structural Funds, though the Regional Funds, because, at the end of the day, coastal areas are regions of the European Union. Therefore, one needs to create more focus on the specific needs of coastal areas and of the surrounding seas so that, in that way, one would redirect, as necessary, funding for initiatives and projects, which would very much go in the direction of establishing the proper tools for the management of an integrated maritime policy.

  Luís Queiró (PPE-DE). – Eu também queria associar-me às felicitações que foram aqui já formuladas ao Senhor Comissário pela apresentação que hoje fez do documento e do plano de acção sobre o desenvolvimento da estratégia marítima europeia e eu queria dizer que, no documento hoje apresentado, há um conjunto de iniciativas que nós podemos destacar, entre elas a proposta de uma estratégia europeia para a investigação marinha, a defesa de uma abordagem integrada das políticas marítimas nacionais ou ainda a promoção do trabalho em rede ao nível da vigilância marítima, bem como a aposta na criação de clusters marítimos multissectoriais com a correspondente adaptação do seu financiamento a nível europeu, entre muitas outras, como é evidente.

Agora finalizando este debate público gostaria de deixar as seguintes questões ao Senhor Comissário: grande parte do plano de acção apresentado pode ser prosseguido e estimulado pela própria Comissão, mas obviamente não dispensa o apoio do Conselho e dos Estados-Membros. Já ouvimos aqui o Senhor Comissário dizer que conta obter esse apoio no Conselho Europeu de Dezembro. A pergunta é: espera um apoio efectivo que leve e mantenha esta estratégia na primeira linha das prioridades da União ou um apoio meramente formal?

E finalizo com a seguinte segunda questão: como é que se garante que uma estratégia marítima europeia resulte em maior cooperação e coordenação sem resvalar para uma comunitarização da política marítima e, em particular, dos recursos marinhos nacionais?

  Γεώργιος Τούσσας (GUE/NGL). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, η ανακοίνωση της Επιτροπής σχετικά με τη μελλοντική κοινή ναυτιλιακή πολιτική της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, κινείται στην ίδια αντεργατική ρότα. Περιλαμβάνει νέα μέτρα για την ενίσχυση της ανταγωνιστικότητας, την αύξηση των κερδών των μεγάλων ναυτιλιακών επιχειρηματικών ομίλων και σηματοδοτεί την ένταση της επίθεσης ενάντια στους εργαζόμενους.

Βασικοί στόχοι της είναι: ενίσχυση της τάσης συγκέντρωσης πλοίων και κεφαλαίων σε μεγάλους ναυτιλιακούς επιχειρηματικούς ομίλους, πλήρη απελευθέρωση των θαλάσσιων μεταφορών και των υπηρεσιών στους συναφείς κλάδους, ανάληψη στρατηγικού ρόλου από τα όργανα της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, ώστε να εκφράζουν ολοκληρωμένα τα συνολικά συμφέροντα του κεφαλαίου στους διεθνείς οργανισμούς, σαρωτικές αλλαγές στις εργασιακές σχέσεις, υποβάθμιση και ιδιωτικοποίηση της ναυτικής εκπαίδευσης για την παραγωγή φτηνού εργατικού δυναμικού, ναυτεργάτες πολλαπλών καθηκόντων, γραφειοκρατικές οδηγίες και κανονισμούς που δεν οδηγούν στη βελτίωση των όρων ασφάλειας των πλοίων και την προστασία της ανθρώπινης ζωής στη θάλασσα.

Κύριε Επίτροπε, υπάρχει σε εκκρεμότητα η διεθνής σύμβαση κωδικοποίησης της ναυτεργατικής νομοθεσίας. Ποια είναι η θέση της Επιτροπής σε ό,τι αφορά αυτό το ζήτημα, τι μέτρα πρόκειται να ληφθούν –και τελειώνω κυρία Πρόεδρε- σχετικά με ένα φαινόμενο για το οποίο μπορεί να μην έχετε την αποκλειστική ευθύνη εσείς, δηλαδή την καταπάτηση ακτών από μονοπωλιακούς τουριστικούς ομίλους και ιδιώτες κατά μήκος της ακτογραμμής των κρατών μελών.

  Gerard Batten (IND/DEM). – Madam President, the Commissioner made some nautical historical allusions, so I would like to do the same. Most people are familiar with the chorus of the anthem ‘Rule Britannia’, but people sometimes get one word fundamentally wrong. The correct version is not ‘Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves’; it is ‘Rule Britannia, Britannia rule the waves’. The word ‘rules’ makes the meaning a bombastic assertion. The correct word, ‘rule’, makes the meaning an exhortation and a warning. It used to be understood that Britain had to rule the waves in order to maintain her freedom and independence. Now the British do not even rule themselves, with over 80% of our laws made by the European Union. The common fisheries policy has ruined Britain’s fishing industry and caused an ecological disaster in British waters. Given the EU’s record, why should we think that the EU maritime policy should be any less disastrous than the common fisheries policy?

  Πρόεδρος. – Υπάρχει πολύ ενδιαφέρον από τους συναδέλφους για έναν ακόμη κύκλο ερωτήσεων και πιστεύω ότι πρέπει να αξιοποιηθεί αυτή η σημαντική συζήτηση.

Ήθελα να ρωτήσω, κύριε Επίτροπε, αν μπορείτε να απαντήσετε σύντομα για να μπορέσουμε να δώσουμε το λόγο σε άλλους συναδέλφους και να κλείσουμε εκεί.

  Joe Borg, Member of the Commission. Madam President, on the question put by Mr Queiró, let me underline the fact that we are expecting substantive support. We will be having an informal ministerial meeting on 22 October in order to get the views of all the Member States on the package that we are proposing. We hope that this package will be endorsed by the European Council in December. That is a first stage. However, we need to be careful not to try to overstep what is achievable in the short term.

If this proves successful and if the first initiatives that are being launched prove successful, then we can go to the Member States to see whether there is a willingness to proceed further in the direction of greater integration of maritime affairs.

However, it is important to underline the fact that this is a policy which is based not on the legislative approach but on incentivising, on facilitating and on creating the necessary tools in order to bring about more coordination, more cooperation and more stakeholder involvement.

So, if one looks at the plan of action, one can clearly see that the underlying principle is establishing certain cross-sectoral tools which are needed to develop an integrated approach to maritime affairs and also starting to look at sectoral measures in a more holistic way, therefore taking into account what impact there would be, for example, if fisheries decisions are taken on other sectors as well as vice-versa.

On the second question, I would like to underline the fact that, with reference to maritime policy, we have in actual fact today also adopted a communication from Commissioner Špidla which launches the discussion as regards the exclusions that workers in the maritime sector – in maritime transport and in fisheries – have from the normal labour law legislation.

We need to look into this to see whether there is a possibility of reducing these discrepancies, to start with, so that the differences between land-based workers and sea-based workers are reduced without, however, creating problems of competitiveness, given that we are dealing with an international sector. We must, therefore, do this hand in hand with the operators so that, in that way, we can incentivise them and promote the elimination of these discrepancies between land-based workers and sea-based workers.

On the question raised by Mr Batten, I would like to say that a maritime policy, an integrated approach towards maritime affairs, is not a case of the European Union reinventing the wheel. It is something which has already been done by countries like the United States, like Canada, like Australia and now by Japan, and we are, in a way, lagging behind. We need to step up the momentum so that we are on a par with our international partners on maritime affairs.

May I remind Mr Batten that the problems with regard to the UK and fisheries date back to before the introduction of the common fisheries policy. We all recall events like the Cod Wars between the UK and Iceland, which happened in particular before the introduction of the common fisheries policy.

We are talking about a problem with regard to overfishing and fishing rights that already existed and which we are trying to redress through a more rational approach towards the management of fisheries under the reformed common fisheries policy.

  Avril Doyle (PPE-DE). – Madam President, I join in the congratulations to Commissioner Borg on this very important integrated policy document. I agree with what President Barroso said today: that a great part of our future lies in the untapped potential of the oceans and the seas and that this policy will generate growth and jobs. We must seize all opportunities that the seas and oceans offer us, while always acting in a sustainable way.

Commissioner Borg, I fully support your work on marine science technology and innovation and your commitment to the Aberdeen Declaration. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of Ireland, especially through the Irish Marine Institute, in helping to form this policy. I welcome your announcement of the package of documents to be launched during the mandate of this Commission but, as you have only two years left, I wonder, is this more in hope than expectation that the entire list of the concrete actions will actually be implemented by you? Commissioner Špidla’s presentation today on the review of labour law exemptions in the maritime sector and Commissioner Piebalgs’ report on the interlinkages between the EU energy policy and the new integrated maritime policy are a very good start, but how many of the other items in the package that you announced today will require separate legislative proposals?

  Silvia-Adriana Ţicău (PSE). – Doresc şi eu să-l felicit pe domnul Comisar pentru abordarea integrată.

Aş dori să atrag atenţia asupra faptului că, odată cu aderarea României şi a Bulgariei, Uniunea Europeană are ieşirea la Marea Neagră, o nouă mare, şi este important să putem promova în această regiune politica maritimă comună.

De asemenea, aş dori ca zonele de deltă şi de estuar să fie protejate şi să facă parte din politica maritimă comună; şi, de asemenea, aş dori ca măsurile de combatere a poluării mărilor să fie extinse şi la apele interne care se varsă în mări şi oceane şi, nu în ultimul rând, la zonele industrializate de pe coaste.

Cred că este importantă această comunicare a domnului comisar, vizavi de condiţiile de muncă pentru marinari şi pentru cei care lucrează în zona şantierelor navale şi, de asemenea, cred că este important să maximizăm sprijinul financiar pentru dezvoltarea infrastructurilor şi a activităţilor din zonele de coastă.

  Josu Ortuondo Larrea (ALDE). – Señora Presidenta, yo, en primer lugar, quiero expresar mi rechazo al modo como se está desarrollando este debate hoy en el Parlamento. He sido el primer diputado que ha levantado la mano para pedir la palabra, el primero. Y ahora se me condena a estar en último lugar, o de los últimos, y a no rebasar un minuto.

Dicho esto, quisiera felicitar al señor Comisario y a la Comisión, tanto por esta Comunicación, como por todo el esfuerzo que viene realizando desde hace un año en la consulta a las partes interesadas, para tratar de desarrollar una política marítima integrada en el conjunto de la Unión Europea, tomando conciencia de la importancia del medio marino y de las agresiones que constantemente sufre por la actuación de la actividad humana.

Yo quisiera, al respecto, preguntar al señor Comisario si el sector militar, cuyas actividades a veces también interfieren y afectan al medio marino, va a tener alguna consideración en la política comunitaria al respecto de evitar las afecciones al medio ambiente.

Y, por otro lado, los vertidos incontrolados que se producen constantemente. ¿Cuándo se van a introducir las cajas negras para poder controlar todos los movimientos en los líquidos de las sentinas y en los líquidos de los tanques de los buques?

  Πρόεδρος. – Κύριε συνάδελφε, δεδομένου ότι δεν ήμουν παρούσα από την αρχή της συζήτησης, δεν γνωρίζω τις προτεραιότητες που είχατε θέσει.

  Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE). – Arvoisa puhemies, EU:n meripolitiikka on yksi tärkeimmistä aloitteista, joista nykyistä komissiota tullaan muistamaan hyvällä, varsinkin jos komissio ymmärtää käyttää hyväkseen sen laajentumisen ja sen poliittisen lihasvoiman, joka meille on laajentumisessa suotu pelastaaksemme meriympäristömme.

Vetoan nyt komissioon, että se panostaisi erityistoimiin EU:n aivan erityisen meren, Itämeren pelastamiseksi. Kysyn, voisiko komissio nähdä Itämeren ei vain ympäristöhaasteena vaan poliittisena haasteena? Jos tuo kuoleva meri voidaan pelastaa, voimme osoittaa kansalaisille, että unionista on aitoa hyötyä ja että yhdessä olemme vahvempia pelastamaan ympäristömme kuin yksin.

  Joe Borg, Member of the Commission. Madam President, first of all, with regard to the question that was raised by Ms Doyle: yes, I would like to reiterate the fact that we have received significant support from the scientific community. The Aberdeen Declaration was very welcome, and Ireland itself was extremely supportive. On the remark that was made, I would like to stress that this is not my initiative: it is a Commission decision that has been adopted and, irrespective of the persons involved, there will certainly be continuity. If, in the first two years, we manage to register some success, I am sure that the new Commission will be more than willing to take up those successes. So it is a crucial two-year period, where we need to see that the initial seeds for a future maritime policy do actually start to grow. In that way, we can guarantee that future Commissions, with the support of the European Parliament, with the support of the Committee of the Regions and, I am sure, with the support of the Council of Ministers, will be able to bring this maritime policy to fruition.

On the second question that was raised regarding inland waterways, there is no doubt that inland waterways are a very important part of the whole concept of a maritime policy, just as the coasts and the coastal areas are a very integral part of a maritime policy. In fact, next week Vice-President Barrot is going to present a package which covers internal waters, including a ports policy and therefore going into internal ports as well. So the whole parameters concerning waterways and ports – even inland ports – are part of this package that will be presented next week.

On the question raised by Mr Ortuondo Larrea concerning military activities, whether they are to be included in the Community policy, one needs to underline the fact that, here, we are entering into a very sensitive area concerning the sovereignty of Member States. Therefore, one needs to be careful. If you want this maritime policy to succeed, we should do it hand in hand with the Member States. Where Member States are willing to take steps in the direction, for example, of joint activities with regard to national coastguard services, concerning questions on the environment, questions with regard to fisheries, questions with regard to illegal immigration, questions concerning drug trafficking and trafficking of human beings, then in those instances I think that there is a lot of scope for having a system of national coastguards coordinated in a more effective and efficient way by, for example, sharing the assets that different Member States enjoy, by exchanging data and by creating necessary tools, including for example sea mapping, which could be an asset for coastguard and other activities. But, on the other hand, if we go into very sensitive military aspects, then that could be more difficult to handle. My underlying message is, if we want an integrated maritime policy to succeed, we have to do so hand in hand with the Member States, who, after all, have the primary responsibility for ensuring that the necessary instruments are in place for such a policy to succeed.

On the question concerning the Baltic Sea, there is no doubt, as I said in a previous reply, the maritime policy needs to take into account the specific features or characteristics of the different maritime regions of the European Union. Therefore, if there are particular problems, as there are, with regard to the Baltic Sea, then the maritime policy has to create the tools in order to tackle those problems of the Baltic Sea. Therefore, if there are particular ecological problems in the Baltic Sea that need to be addressed and that can be addressed in some way or other, then we should do our utmost in order to do so. For example, with regard to fisheries, we are taking measures in order to try to attain, against various odds, sustainable fisheries in the Baltic. We are also taking measures with regard to the Baltic in order to try to reverse the problems that there are concerning maritime transport traffic routes through the Baltic Sea. Therefore an integrated approach to maritime affairs would certainly mean that we look at all these problems and try to bring about more coordination between the different stakeholders, between the different Member States and also third countries like Russia, with regard to the Baltic, so that in that way we can achieve a better result with regard to the management of the different sectoral areas concerning the Baltic.

  Πρόεδρος. – Σας ευχαριστώ, κύριε Επίτροπε, ζητώ συγγνώμη από τους συναδέλφους που δεν μπόρεσαν να πάρουν το λόγο, φαίνεται ότι θα πρέπει να δίνουμε περισσότερο χρόνο σε παρόμοιες συζητήσεις.

Η συζήτηση έληξε.

Η ψηφοφορία θα διεξαχθεί, αύριο, Πέμπτη 11 Οκτωβρίου 2007.

Γραπτές δηλώσεις (άρθρο 142)

  Pedro Guerreiro (GUE/NGL), por escrito. – A Comissão apresentou as suas propostas de "visão" e de "plano de acção" para uma futura "política marítima integrada" ao nível da UE. Embora não tendo sido possível realizar a análise necessária (e não esquecendo que "o diabo se esconde nos detalhes"), gostaria, numa primeira reacção, de reafirmar que:

- Uma qualquer iniciativa nesta área deve salvaguardar a competência dos Estados-Membros relativamente à gestão do seu território, designadamente das suas águas territoriais e zonas económicas exclusivas (ZEE), nas suas diferentes expressões, como: a exploração dos recursos, os transportes, a investigação, a gestão de fronteiras e a segurança, o ordenamento do território, o ambiente ou as actividades económicas, como a pesca. Ou seja, que a coberto da afirmação do denominado "princípio da subsidiariedade", tal "cavalo de Tróia", não venha a ser colocada em causa a soberania dos Estados-Membros.

- A mencionada "base financeira sólida" para a "política marítima" não venha a ser criada à custa do Fundo Europeu das Pescas, pois às novas prioridades deverão corresponder novos e mais meios financeiros.

- Não venha a ser promovida a aquicultura, contrapondo-a à valorização do sector das pescas, dada a sua importância estratégica para diferentes países, como Portugal, garantindo a sua sustentabilidade sócio-económica através de políticas e meios financeiros adequados.

  Robert Navarro (PSE), par écrit. – Avec ce 'Livre Bleu', l'Union européenne fait un pas en avant. Même s'il faut déplorer que sur certains points - comme la question des garde-côtes européens ou celle d'un pavillon européen - la Commission européenne ait dû revoir ses ambitions à la baisse, faute de soutien de la part de certains Etats-membres, ce document est une bonne base de départ. J'espère donc qu'il tiendra toutes ses promesses. La question des financements sera néanmoins déterminante, chose que la Commission elle-même reconnaît. Nos ministres assumeront-ils leurs responsabilités?

Pour le reste, je me réjouis tout particulièrement de la décision de la Commission de s'attaquer à la révision de la législation sociale dans le secteur maritime, où souvent le droit du travail classique et ses protections ne s'appliquent pas. Il était grand temps ! Ce facteur déterminant pour l'attractivité des carrières maritimes devrait donc aider l'Europe à préserver ses savoir-faire maritimes.