Brussels, 12/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the Ecofin Council adopted, in point A, a directive and a framework decision establishing a regime of administrative and criminal penalties for the unlawful dumping of waste at sea, not only in the EU's coastal waters but also at sea. While being compatible with the international law in force (MARPOL and UNCLOS conventions), these two texts allow gaps to be filled. They determine a common approach on persons liable and the levels of sanctions to be applied, and strengthen cooperation between the Member States for the control and repression of infringements. The framework decision mainly establishes jurisdictional competence criteria, sets in place a mechanism for notification of information and provides fro the designation of contact points. EUROPE will come back to this.