Maritime transport: freedom to provide services, maritime cabotage

The Parliament adopted the text of the Commission's proposal subject to a few amendments. The Rapporteur was Ms. Anne McIntosh (EPP, UK). The Parliament voted against a move by the Commission to oblige ship owners on certain services operating in EU waters to lay down the same conditions and services for crews recruited in a non-EU member state. It also introduced an amendment requiring the Commission to review the economic and social impact of the liberalisation of island cabotage and to report back to the Parliament and the Council by 1 January 2001. On the basis of this report, the Commission would submit a proposal to the Parliament and the Council with a view to setting up a definitive system which will be approved by the Council and Parliament in due time and before 1 January 2003.�