Brussels, 10/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - Concerned by the turn of events in the Horn of Africa, MEPs passed a resolution addressing the issue of piracy head-on. The resolution adopted in plenary session on Thursday 10 May calls on EU High Representative Catherine Ashton to take urgent action to bring about the release of almost 200 sailors currently being held by pirates. In addition to that immediate action, a comprehensive approach must be taken to address the issue of piracy, tackling its root causes (poverty in the Horn of Africa and the failure of Somalia) and its consequences (on transport, trade and fishing). MEPs also want sailors to receive training so that they are better able to defend themselves against the pirates. In the same vein, the European Parliament calls on the Commission and Council to come to a decision on armed guards on board vessels, with some member states having taken the initiative in legislating on this issue. MEPs advocate prosecuting and more effectively punishing pirates, thereby providing a lasting legal solution in the region. To this end, they propose setting up special anti-piracy courts in Somalia and neighbouring countries. It is essential, they say, to dismantle organised criminal gangs, for example, by following the money trail, which can also go through the EU. Another way of tackling the illegal economy is to provide other ways of earning a living and creating jobs.
Georgios Koumoutsakos (EPP, Greece), whose initiative this resolution was, and Michael Gahler (EPP, Germany) believe that the resolution is a demonstration of the “political will and commitment to insist on the definite eradication of the scourge of maritime piracy”. It was the parliamentary committees to which the two belong, transport and security and defence respectively, which presented the resolution. Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas gave his reaction, via Twitter, indicating that this was a positive and realistic resolution with regard to armed guards. (MD/transl.rt)