IMO, EC Reinforce Working Relationship
Mr. Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Transport, visited the IMO Secretary-General, Mr. Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, at IMO Headquarters in London on Friday 14 March 2007, within the framework of co-operation between the two sides aimed at promoting maritime safety and security and environmental protection. The meeting was the fourth between the two following previous regular meetings successively held in London and Brussels since February 2005. On the first item, Mr. Mitropoulos briefed Mr. (b) towards implementing the Action Plan on Greenhouse Gas Emissions, possibly bringing forward some deadlines to expedite the Organization's contribution to worldwide efforts in preparation for the Copenhagen Conference in December 2009. Mr.
New EC Commissioner for Transport Named
New EC President-designate Jose Manuel Barroso has selected Jacques Barrot of France to serve as Vice President, Commissioner for Transport. The current portfolio for Energy and Transport is being divided into two separate portfolios. The Barroso Commission will take office on 1 November. (HK Law)
EC to Sue 8 Member States in Erika Aftermath
The European Commission has decided to take Belgium, Greece, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland and the United Kingdom to the Court of Justice. They failed to implement key EU legislation on vessel traffic monitoring and information systems which was adopted by the EU in the wake of the Erika accident. The aim of the infringed legislation is to enhance the safety of maritime traffic by improving the response of authorities to incidents, accidents and potentially dangerous situations at sea, therefore contributing to better prevention and detection of pollution by ships. “Five years after the wreck of the Erika and three years after that of the Prestige, I am appalled that Member States delay the implementation of key measures to improve maritime safety.
EC: Safety and Port State Control Require Proper Implementation of Rules
The European Commission sent reasoned opinions – the last step before lodging a case to the Court of Justice – to Italy and Malta for failure to respect EU legislation on port State control of shipping. Latvia was also sent a reasoned opinion for failure to transpose into national law EU legislation on maritime safety and the prevention of pollution by ships. “While the European Commission has just adopted a third set of measures to reinforce maritime safety, I am deeply concerned that some countries still have not implemented properly legislation on Port State control that dates back to 2002”, said Vice-President Jacques Barrot in charge of transport.
