The European Parliament adopted by 567 votes to 100, with 41 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 establishing a European Maritime Safety Agency.
The European Parliament’s position, adopted at first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure, amended the Commission proposal.
Parliament stipulated that the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, the European Fisheries Control Agency and the European Maritime Safety Agency should therefore strengthen their cooperation, within their mandate, both with each other and with the national authorities carrying out coastguard functions to increase maritime situational awareness as well as to support coherent and cost-efficient action.
The Agency shall support national authorities by:
- enhancing the exchange of information and cooperation on coast guard functions including by analysing operational challenges and emerging risks in the maritime domain;
- capacity sharing by planning and implementation of multipurpose operations and the sharing of assets and other capabilities, to the extent those are coordinated by the agencies and with the agreement of the competent authorities of the Member States concerned.
A working arrangement shall determine the modalities of the cooperation and shall be approved by the Administrative Boards of the Agency, the European Fisheries Control Agency and the Management Board of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
The Commission shall adopt, in close cooperation with the Member States, a handbook on European cooperation on coast guard functions in the form of a recommendation.
The tasks set out to enhance cooperation shall not be detrimental to the Agency's tasks and not infringe upon Member States' rights and obligations, in particular as flag States, port States and coastal States.
A new recital has been added in order to allow for an efficient and effective support to national authorities carrying out coastguard functions, the Agency shall make use of available state-of-the-art technology, such as remotely piloted aircraft systems (drones).