Representatives of the European Parliament and the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union hope to reach an agreement on the repeal of Directive 2005/45/EC and the amendment of Directive 2008/106/EC on the minimum level of training of seafarers at a second and possibly final interinstitutional negotiations meeting ('trilogues') on Monday 11 February.
This was the outcome of the first trilogue between the EU co-legislators, held in Brussels on Tuesday 29 January. This first exchange, which echoed the Commission's proposal from 24 May, could take place after the Member States in December (see EUROPE 12151, 12149) and then the European Parliament in early January (see EUROPE 12170) have defined their position for negotiation on the subject.
According to our information, the discussions should not be particularly problematic on this subject, which is why the second trilogue was conclusive.
This first meeting made it possible to set the work programme for the coming days and identify political points.
Among these, the parties will still have to discuss the potential establishment of a EU-level electronic database on seafarer certificates as requested by the European Parliament. Parliamentarians also want to create a European Maritime Diploma of Excellence, which States have not advocated for in their political agreement (general approach). Therefore, future discussions on this issue will ensue.
The same applies to the ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, which the European Parliament wishes to take into account when recognising diplomas awarded by third countries. In the context of the recognition of certificates or certificates of competence issued by third countries, it should be noted that the Council, similar to the Commission's proposal, would like the decision to open qualification recognition be taken through an implementing act. The European Parliament is against this approach and the parties will therefore have to come to an agreement on this point. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)