Brussels, 07/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, British Conservative, Jacqueline Foster, European Parliament rapporteur on civil aviation security, Luciano Caveri, Chairman of the Transport Committee and Giorgos Dimitrakopoulous, Vice President of the European Parliament explained to the press the agreement obtained last week between the European Parliament and the Council on the draft regulation on the setting up of common rules in the area of civil aviation safety (see EUROPE 1 November p 11). Ms Foster welcomed the positive outcome but regretted that "things had not gone faster…But the agreement of the fifteen Member States was required". She also highlighted the "victorious principles" of the Parliament: 1) the personnel working in certain airport-restricted zones would be controlled exactly like the passengers; 2) surprise inspections would take place in airports. Ms Foster was keen to point out that, "We have succeeded in obtaining a budgetary line for setting up two teams of inspectors who will work with national inspectors" but failed to say who would pay for this; 3) in an interinstitutional declaration, Member States recognised their responsibilities in the area of funding new security measures. Although this declaration is not legally binding (it does not compel Member States to fund the measures), Ms Foster is optimistic, "During negotiations, certain Member States had really dug their heels in". She added that, "by proposing an amendment aiming to distribute funding for the measures between the different actors, I was aware that this would provoke opposition", however, Ms Foster was convinced that they had persuaded Member States to assume their responsibilities in the matter.
Once adopted by written procedure, the agreement will be voted on in a third reading at the Parliament during the December session in Strasbourg, before being approved without debate at the Council.