Brussels, 17/02/2005 (Agence Europe) - The informal trialogue on the proposed directive to sanction marine pollution caused by ships (EUROPE of 25 January, p.16) ended on Wednesday with a compromise text governing the last two outstanding questions. The compromise provides that cases of marine pollution committed intentionally, recklessly or due to serious negligence will be considered criminal offences “by and under the circumstances provided by the framework decision” of the Council of the criminal sanctioning of marine pollution, which comes under the third pillar (EUROPE of 29 December 2004). In the view of the EP rapporteur on this dossier, Corien Wortmann-Kool (EPP-ED), “this reference to the framework-decision in the directive assures us that there will be criminal sanctions” even though these will be defined by the 3rd pillar (intergovernmental) text rather than by the 1st pillar (Community) text, she explained to EUROPE. The compromise also provides for a cost/benefit study to be carried out, followed “if appropriate” by a European Commission proposal on the creation of a European coastguard. Even if this does not necessarily guarantee that such a step will be taken, Ms Wortmann-Kool welcomes the fact that “the Council recognises the principle of this”. The compromise text is still to be put to EP first reading in Strasbourg next week, and is also subject to the final agreement of the Council.