Brussels, 07/08/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has adopted by written procedure a draft regulation to expanded the competencies of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in the fight against maritime pollution an maritime safety. This proposal will be sent to the Parliament and Council as part of codecision procedure. The proposal amends regulation 1406/2002 and will give the 20 million € have been allocated annually for the period 2004-2006. The Agency's efforts will supplement those of Member States and add value to the Community framework and Community mechanism for co-operation in the field of marine pollution and civil protection. The Commission intends to fund this activity by applying the principle of "polluter pays and will submit the proposals in this direction later. The management committee of the agency will have to elaborate an action programme for its activities in the fight against t pollution in agreement with the Commission.
The proposals also intends to extend the competencies of the agency of maritime safety and qualifications for seafarers. The agency will help the Commission in inspection on implementation on maritime safety by Member States (as in inspections by port authorities) as well as recognition of qualifications for seafarers from third countries.
The Commission also proposed the next appointment s of members of the management committee to be based on competencies in fighting against pollution and maritime safety.