L 326/28 Official Journal of the European Union 13.12.2003 DIRECTIVE 2003/ 103/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 17 November 2003 amending Directive 2001/25/EC on the minimum level of training of seafarers (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular Article 80(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee ('), After consultation of the Committee of the Regions, Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3), Whereas: (1)  Directive 2001/25/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 April 2001 on the minimum level of training of seafarers (°) defines minimum training, certifi- cation and watchkeeping standards for seafarers serving on board Community ships. Those standards are based on the standards agreed in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (the STCW Convention). 2)  In order to maintain and develop the level of knowledge and skills in the maritime sector in the EU, it is impor- tant to pay appropriate attention to maritime training and the status of seafarers in the EU. (3) It is essential to ensure that seafarers holding certificates issued by third countries and serving on board Com- munity ships have a level of competence equivalent to that required by the STCW Convention. Directive 2001/ 25[EC lays down procedures and common criteria for the recognition by the Member States of certificates issued by third countries. (4)  Directive 2001/25/EC provides for the reassessment of the procedures and criteria for the recognition of certifi- cates issued by third countries and the approval of mari- time training institutes and maritime education and training programmes and courses, in the light of the experience gained in applying the Directive. ) O] C 133, 6.6.2003, p. 23. (*) Opinion of the European Parliament of 3 September 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Council Decision of 6 November 2003. () O] L 136, 18.5.2001, p. 17. Directive as amended by Directive 2002/$4/EC (O] L 324, 29.11.2002, p. 53). () (10) (12) The practical implementation of Directive 2001/25/EC has shown that some adjustments to those procedures and criteria could contribute greatly towards the relia- bility of the system of recognition, while simplifying the monitoring and reporting obligations imposed on Member States. Compliance by third countries that provide training with the provisions of the STCW Convention can be assessed more effectively in a harmonised manner. The Commis- sion should therefore be entrusted with this task on behalf of the whole Community. In order to ensure that a country which is recognised continues to comply fully with the requirements of the STCW Convention, the recognition should be reviewed regularly and extended if appropriate. The recognition of a third country not complying with the requirements of the STCW Convention should be withdrawn until defi- ciencies are redressed. Decisions to extend or withdraw recognition can be taken more effectively in a harmonised and centralised manner, at Community level. The Commission should therefore be entrusted with these tasks on behalf of the whole Community. The continuous monitoring of the compliance of the recognised third countries can be carried out more effec- tively in a harmonised and centralised manner. One of the tasks assigned to the European Maritime Safety Agency (the Agency) is to assist the Commission in the performance of any task assigned to it by Com- munity legislation applicable to training, certification and watchkeeping of ships' crews. The Agency should therefore assist the Commission in the performance of its tasks relating to the granting, extension and withdrawal of recognition of third coun- tries. It should also assist the Commission in the moni- toring of third countries' compliance with the require- ments of the STCW Convention. The STCW Convention specifies language requirements for certificates and endorsements attesting the issue of a certificate. The existing provisions of Directive 2001/25/ EC should be brought into line with the relevant require- ments of the Convention.