Green MEP's Bas Eickhout (Netherlands) and Bart Staes (Belgium) welcomed the Commissioner's statement, which represented a change in direction and indicated a desire to take serious action. Commenting after the address, Bas Eickhout said:

"It is encouraging that the EU Commission is belatedly starting to take the threat of offshore oil and gas drilling seriously. Given the serious dangers of offshore drilling and the haphazard nature of rules on liability and safety, which commissioner Oettinger has now acknowledged, the EU commission is justified in looking to act.

"The lack of sufficient regulation and the ongoing uncertainty regarding the causes of the current spill in the Gulf of Mexico justify commissioner Oettinger's call for a possible moratorium on deep sea drilling. All the more so as some member states have announced plans to expand deep sea drilling (1). While it is welcome that the Commission is now echoing concerns raised by the Greens last month, action must follow swiftly.

"One crucial issue is to ensure that the Environmental Liability Directive - currently under review - will also cover offshore oil and gas exploitation. As regards safety inspections of offshore installations and cleaning up of oil spills, the mandate of the European Maritime Agency (EMSA) should be expanded, as has been recognised by EU transport commissioner Kallas, and the Commission should act on this now."

Bart Staes added:

"When it comes to oil platforms, EU governments and their regulators show a deluded tendency to claim they have everything under control. However, clearly offshore drilling and the resultant risks is an issue that transcends borders. If there would be an offshore oil spill in Scottish or Norwegian waters, the coasts and biodiversity of all member states around the North Sea would be affected. Pan-European action is need and the Belgian presidency and other member states should play an active and constructive role by cooperating closely with the Parliament and Commission to this end. In order to prevent a catastrophe, and to respond effectively in case of a major accident, the three EU institutions should try and agree on concrete regulatory measures before the end of the year.

"The member states have a golden opportunity next September: In a ministerial meeting in Norway the parties to the OSPAR Convention (2) will conclude a review of the Convention so that OSPAR will play a major role in the European Maritime Strategy. EU member states must make sure that the so called 'Bergen Statement 2010', foreseen to be adopted by the ministerial meeting in Norway, deals in a sufficient way with the current and increasing safety risks connected to offshore oil and gas exploration in the North Sea and beyond."

(1) Ireland for example wants to allow drilling up to 2000-3000 metres!
(2) Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment