Joint declaration on EU-NATO cooperation and the issue of UXO and chemical munitions dumped in European seas
6.10.2022
Question for written answer E-003312/2022
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 138
Anna Fotyga (ECR)
In the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and greater EU-NATO cooperation, I would like to emphasise the problem of removing and neutralising unexploded ordnance (UXO) and chemical munitions in European seas. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and military operations in the Black Sea have left the seabed littered with hundreds of mines and dumped weapons, which poses a serious threat to people, the environment, the economy and transport (especially on grain shipping routes). We urgently need to investigate technical means of safely removing and disposing of dumped munitions. In this context, the issue of UXO and chemical munitions in the Baltic Sea is taking on a completely new dimension, as the issue is increasingly important, not only from the perspective of environmental protection, but also from that of European security. The best way to find an effective solution to the problem of UXO in the Black Sea is to deal with the similar threat posed by World War Two munitions and chemical weapons which have sunk to the bottom of the Baltic Sea.
- 1.What stage has work on the new declaration on cooperation between the EU and NATO reached?
- 2.Will the EU ensure that the removal and disposal of UXO and chemical munitions dumped in the sea are included as an area of cooperation with NATO in the new joint declaration?