More EU - IMO talks

MORE EU-IMO TALKS

SHIP emissions headed a list of topics discussed at at meeting between IMO Secretary-General Efthimios Mitropoulos and the EU's top transport bureaucrat, European Commission vice-president and commissioner for transport, Jacques Barrot, last Friday, 14 March.

The meeting was the fourth between the two following previous regular meetings held alternately in London and Brussels since February 2005.

As well as ship emissions the controversial subject of European Community observer status and participation in IMO was discussed. Brussels officials are determined to take more control over the representation of of EU members countries at IMO, despite the opposition of several major EU states.

The Commission's Third Maritime Safety Package and EU/IMO technical co-operation ? especially an SAR programme in Africa were also on the agenda.

An IMO statement says: ?On the question of EU's participation at IMO, Mr. Barrot informed the Secretary-General of the contemplated request to change the observer status the European Commission enjoys at present to observer status for the European Community. Mr. Mitropoulos responded that the matter should be referred to the IMO Council for consideration and appropriate decision.?

In addition it says: ?Mr Mitropoulos briefed Mr. Barrot on work progressing within the Organization: (a) towards having amendments to the MARPOL Annex VI (Prevention of air pollution from ships) approved by the forthcoming session (31 March to 4 April) of the MEPC and then adopted at the Committee's session in October; and (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.?

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