Better EU planning needed for incidents such as that involving Russian tanker
Thomas Bajada calls for EU assistance for Malta
A Labour MEP has urged the European Commission to assist Malta as it faces up to the environmental risks posed by an abandoned Russian gas tanker drifting in the central Mediterranean.
Thomas Bajjada in a letter to the Commission, said the Arctic Metagaz - which exploded last week, allegedly after being attacked - poses multiple risks to Malta, such as maritime safety and the impact on the environment.
But the biggest risk of a major marine pollution incident lies in the fact that Malta largely relies on seawater desalination plants for its drinking water. "Any marine pollution incident in proximity to these installations could have serious consequences for water security and for the functioning of essential national infrastructure," he pointed out.
He urged the EU to ensure that all relevant EU tools are available to support efforts by Malta and Italy to deal with the tanker.
More broadly, he added, this case highlights the need for the EU to be adequately prepared for similar incidents in the future, particularly in the context of increasing geopolitical tensions and maritime risks in the Mediterranean.
He asked whether the commission intends to strengthen EU preparedness and contingency planning for similar situations affecting vulnerable coastal and island member states.
Read the letter in full by clicking on the pdf below. Attached files
On Monday Foreign Minister Ian Borg also raised the issue at a meeting of EU foreign ministers, insisting on EU help for Malta and preparedness for any other such incidents in the future. He also argued that salvage operators dealing with sanctioned vessels, as is this tanker, should have legal protection.