Strasbourg, 25/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - By adopting the Bonino Report on anti-personnel landmines on first reading on Wednesday, the european Parliament marked its agreement in principle for the European Commission's proposal of creating a specific regulation aimed at organising and coordinating actions against these mines, while voting in favour of several amendments on method and funding. Emma Bonino also emphasied that "the European Parliament, pioneer in the fight against anti-personnel landmines, welcomes the Commission's proposal", before setting out the amendments proposed by the EP. Firstly, Parliament wants the proposal not only to deal with mine-clearance but also with the destruction of mine stocks. Then, the EP wants credits for measures against anti-personnel landmines to be distributed between three budgetary headings (general, research, humanitarian). The EP places emphasis on the regulation proposed by the Commission being accompanied by a global financial envelope of 200 million euro, for the period 2000-2006, for the general heading alone. The EP also erased the possibility proposed by the Commission of opening calls for tender to companies of third countries. Finally, the EP wants a committee representing Member States to be purely consultative and not participate in management decisions. Saying he welcomed the EP's "constructive" attitude, Commissioner Patten nevertheless said that the Commission could not agree to the amendments on the budgetary heading, the management committee or the participation of companies of third countries in calls for tender.
During the debate, all speakers placed emphasis on the importance for the EU of having a leading role, and to do so in an organised fashion. Thus, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Elmar Brok, placed emphasis on the need to coordinate national, European and international efforts. Geoffrey van Orden, speaking for the EPP Group, stressed that "Parliament wants to be sure that the money will be well spent". For the British MEP, "the fight against anti-personnel landmines is significant of the Commission's failure to use money well and especially external aid", but "things are beginning to improve with Patten".
One concern brought together the Commissioner and almost all MEPs: the absolute need for all Member states to have signed and ratified the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel landmines. Luisa Morgantini, rapporteur for opinion of the Development committee and Joaquim Miranda (GUE/NGL) denounced Finland's attitude - that has not signed the Convention - and Greece - that has signed it but not yet ratified. According to Commissioner Patten, "the EU's ability to convince as many States as possible to sign up to Ottawa is limited by the very fact that some of its members have still not ratified". The Commission "regularly raises this issue" - without much effect, apparently.
Ilkka Suominen, Finnish and EPP Vice-President, took to the floor to defend Finland's position. Finland, he declared, must retain its anti-personnel landmines (warranted by the "over 1000 kilometers of border with a superpower outside the EU") as long as it had not "obtained" a method of substitution. He stressed that Finnish mines were not placed only the ground but only in storage. Finalnd "has begun to consider signing up to the Ottawa Treaty in 2006, and replace the mines with other means in 2010".