28.12.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities L3321 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) DECISION No 2850/2000/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 20 December 2000 setting up a Community framework for cooperation in the field of accidental or deliberate marine pollution THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 175(1) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Following consultation with the Committee of the Regions, Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (), and in the light of the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee on 11 October 2000, Whereas: (1) The actions taken by the Community in the field of accidental marine pollution since 1978 have made it possible progressively to develop cooperation between the Member States within a Community action programme. The resolution and decisions adopted since 1978 (%) constitute the basis for this cooperation. (2)  Several regional agreements on accidental marine pollu- tion, such as the Bonn Cooperation Agreement, already facilitate mutual assistance and cooperation between Member States in this field. (3)  Regard should be had to the international conventions and agreements applicable to European seas and mari- time areas, such as the OSPAR Convention, the Barce- lona Convention and the Helsinki Convention. () O] C 25, 30.1.1999, p. 20. () O] C 169, 16.6.1999, p. 16. (*) Opinion of the European Parliament of 16 September 1999 (O] C 54, 25.2.2000, p. 82), Council Common Position of 17 December 2000 (O] C 87, 24.3.2000, p. 1) and Decision of the European Parliament of 13 June 2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). Decision of the European Parliament of 30 November 2000 and Decision of the Council of 5 December 2000. O] C 162, 8.7.1978, p. 1, OJ L 355, 10.12.1981, p. 52, OJ L 77, 22.3.1986, p. 33 and OJ L 158, 25.6.1988, p. 32. <= (4 The Community information system has served the purpose of making available to the Member States the data required for the control and reduction of pollution caused by the spillage of hydrocarbons and other harmful substances at sea in large quantities. The infor- mation system will be simplified by the use of a modern automatic data-processing system. (5) A system for the rapid and efficient exchange of infor- mation needs to be established. (6)  The Community task force and other actions within the Community action programme have provided practical assistance to operational authorities during marine pollution emergencies and promoted cooperation and preparedness for efficient response to accidents. (7 The Community programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable develop- ment (°) presented by the Commission envisages that the Community's activities will be stepped up in particular in the field of environmental emergencies which includes accidental or deliberate marine pollution. (8)  Directive 2000/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on port reception facilities for ship- generated waste and cargo residues () is of fundamental importance in the context of this Decision. (99  Harmful substances means any hazardous or noxious substance liable to raise concern if spilled into the marine environment. (100 Community cooperation in the field of accidental marine pollution helps, by taking action against the risks, to achieve the objectives of the Treaty by promoting solidarity between Member States and contri- buting, pursuant to Article 174 of the Treaty, to preserving and protecting the environment and protecting human health. () O] C 138, 17.5.1993, . 5. (®) See page 81 of this Of};icial Journal.