Despite the visit of a delegation to Amsterdam on Thursday 22 February, the European Parliament remains concerned by the process of relocating the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Speaking to the press, the chair of the committee on the environment (ENVI) stressed the risk of delays in the construction of the new site. He also called for the Parliament to have its say in the process.
Readers may recall that on 20 November of last year, the member states decided to relocate the headquarters of the Medicines Agency to Amsterdam, following three rounds of secret voting to decide between the top three candidates, Milan, Copenhagen and Amsterdam (see EUROPE 11908). At the end of January, however, the Italian authorities made a complaint to the Court of Justice of the European Union, arguing that the Dutch offer did not meet the criterion of continuity set out by the heads of state or government.
On 22 February, a fact-finding mission made up of six MEPs from the ENVI committee visited the temporary building and the site where the permanent building is to be built. It also discussed the relocation process with the Executive Director of the Agency, Guido Rasi, and representatives of the Dutch Ministry of health.
The shadow rapporteurs are to meet on 27 February to discuss their position, ahead of the vote on the subject to take place at the ENVI committee on 12 March.
Things still to be done
Following this meeting, Giovanni La Via referred to a good place for the temporary building, but stressed the risk of delay for the new one. “If there should be a delay, this could harm the continuity of the EMA and cause a progressive deterioration in its activities”, he said. “We also have serious misgivings over the procedure followed by the Council: the Parliament cannot be circumvented. Before voting, the Council and the Commission should give us assurances that any future decision concerning the headquarters of the agencies will be made by co-decision”, La Via added. He went on to say that on 21 February, the President of the Parliament, Antonio Tajani, had written to the President of the Commission to call for such assurances.
“The continuity of business was central to our bid”, a representative of the Dutch health ministry stressed. “Let us be clear: will the EMA have its temporary site? Yes. Will it have enough room? Again, yes. Will the new building be ready on time? Still yes. As for the rumours of a 30% increase in the rent compared to our bid, it's a no”, he added, stressing that the Dutch authorities would contribute “generously” to the permanent building and cover the costs of the temporary one. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)