UNCLAS CANBERRA 001282

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT EUN IMO AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIAN REPLY ON EU REGULATIONS ON RECOGNIZED
ORGANIZATIONS

REF: STATE 116998

(SBU) After much internal deliberation, the GOA replied to
reftel demarche to econoff on December 17. The GOA says that
although it is supportive of the EU initiative if the intent
is to raise standards set by classification societies,
Australia prefers this be brought under the IMO umbrella
rather than see the EU pursue it unilaterally. As such, the
GOA would provide support should the US choose to raise the
matter in multilateral fora such as the IMO.

MCCALLUM