Brussels, 13/01/2000 (Agence Europe) - On the occasion of its weekly meeting, in an information memo on Wednesday, the European Commission referred to the different possibilities or Community intervention concerning both the storms and the oil slick. In addition, Commissioner Barnier announced that on Thursday 20 January, he would be visiting two "departement" affected by the storms, Creuse and Charente Maritime.
1. To tackle the consequences of the storms, the Commission intends mobilising the Structural Funds (using Objective 2 of regional policy) as well as assistance measures for rural development (see EUROPE of 5 January, p.13). In addition, Article 87(2) of the treaty authorises State aid "intended to remedy damage caused by natural disasters".
2. The Commission recalls that it mobilised its Coordination Unit at the time of the oil slick. Furthermore, "before summer", it will present the Communication announced on shipping safety, that should amend the current legislation, notably regarding allocation of liability, and could ban single-hulled oil tankers (see EUROPE of 7 January, p.13).