Brussels, 29/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - Loyola de Palacio, Transport Commissioner, sent a letter, on Wednesday, to the various partners of the EU (neighbouring countries, international organisations including the United Nations) calling upon them to consolidate their cooperation and to take stronger commitments in favour of maritime security, especially to improve international legislation governing pollution from ships. As announced in its communication after the sinking of the Prestige (see EUROPE of 4 December, p.8), Ms de Palacio hopes to promote, within the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in particular, modification of the international Seal Law in order to strike a better balance between the freedom of circulation of vessels and the interests of coastal States which must be able to protect their coasts against environmental damage. On 31 January, the European Commission will meet national experts, in Brussels, to discuss the designation of ports of refuge for ships in difficulty.
Furthermore, Willem de Ruiter was appointed Executive Director of the European Maritime Security Agency (EMSA) on Wednesday. He will mainly be responsible for defining the strategic objectives of the Agency and for ensuring cooperation with Commission and Member State services with regards maritime security and the prevention of pollution caused by ships (see EUROPE of 7 December, p.16).