Så kan vi ånde lettede op igen.
Takket være Briterne, er forslaget om afskaffelse af yachtflaget blevet
"jordet".
Se nedenstående.
Man må erindre, at forslaget også omfattede lystbåde.
Sørgeligt, at socialdemokraterne stemte for. Ligesom det er fantastisk, at
sagen ikke har været omtalt i noget skandinavisk land. Vel nok af,
berettiget, frygt for yderligere at skabe modstand mod de eurokratiske
pampere.
http://www.thisdayonline.com/business/20040116bus07.html
Plans to Force British Ships to Fly EU Flag Rejected
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The idea of adding the EU's emblem to the Red Ensign was rejected during a
vote in Strasbourg on tighter maritime safety controls.
Spanish MEP Josu Ortuondo Larrea had suggested the notion to complement
European Commission proposals to increase recognition at sea of vessels that
meet strict safety standards.
He denied claims that it was a plot to impose an EU stamp on the member
states' merchant fleets.
But Conservative MEPs were not convinced, and led the rejection of his
proposal that "ships registered in a Member State shall display the emblem
of the European Union, i.e. a circle of 12 gold stars on a square blue
background, in a corner of their flags".
British Labour and Liberal Democrat Group MEPs backed the shipping safety
plans, including the use of the EU flag, arguing there was no threat to
national sovereignty.
But Tory transport spokesman in the European Parliament Jacqueline Foster
insisted: "The proposal to replace the Red Ensign with the European flag was
yet another attempt to force the EU identity on to member states.
"There was no justification for the compulsory display of the EU symbol on
the Red Ensign - it would not have enhanced security or ease of
identification."
She added: "Hundreds of years of maritime tradition were under threat, and I
am delighted that Britain's merchant fleet can continue to proudly fly the
historic Red Ensign."
Today's agreement to improve the safety requirements before a ship can fly
the flag of any EU member state now require formal approval by EU transport
ministers before becoming law.
Labour's transport spokesman Mark Watts said the future of the Red Ensign
was not at risk and would benefit from the adoption of improved standards
for registering safe shipping.
"Ships that meet the standard for flying a flag of an EU member state will
find it easier to move in and out of EU ports, making the free movement of
goods a working reality on the seas and providing a positive incentive for
British-owned ships to fly the flag of our merchant navy."
Mr Watts went on: "It is, sadly, a myth that all British ships fly the red
ensign. In fact, many British-owned ships do not fly the red ensign, but fly
'flags of convenience'."