A harmonised Community-wide framework regarding support schemes in any of the renewable energy sectors could be envisaged in the long term.

Member of the Commission. - Mr President, as has been rightly said the aim of this proposal is to create a Community-wide framework.

I believe that it strikes the right balance at this stage; I believe it gives European citizens a clear understanding that there is a Community-wide framework.

The transboundary nature of the marine environment, which means that pollution in one area can impact on a wider region, leads to the need for a Community-wide framework for cooperation in the field of accidental marine pollution.

As the use of nuclear energy in the European Union is a reality and will be a reality, and nuclear safety is not constrained by national borders, we need a Community-wide framework aiming at achieving, maintaining and continuously improving nuclear safety in the European Union.