Brussels, 28/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - Addressing the International Transport Forum (ITF) on Thursday 27 May in Leipzig, German President Horst Köhler called for reflection on pricing reform in the transport sector, in order to promote innovative solutions and environmentally-friendly transport. “Pricing is not right, is not complete and does not reflect everything”, Köhler said. With particular reference to the aviation sector, the German president suggested imposing taxes on kerosene as well as on maritime fuel. “The first step towards fairer pricing was made in aviation”, which will (from 2012 on) be included in the system for exchange of greenhouse gas emission quotas (ETS, Emissions Trading System), he nonetheless observed. However, he pointed out that, unlike the electricity tax that railway companies have to pay, there is no tax on aviation and ship fuel. “Would it not be better to not exempt kerosene and ship fuel from that tax and to do it at international level?”, he asked, adding: “Truth about the costs will lead to intelligent solutions (…) and innovative solutions: like light containers, hybrid vehicles, traffic guiding systems to avoid congestion, etc.”, all of which are “more compatible with the environment”. Like the European transport commissioner, Siim Kallas, Köhler also placed emphasis on the need for greater cooperation and coherence in the transport sector, calling for “international mobility policies and strategies”. “We want to address infrastructure bottlenecks and tackle the remaining barriers to the single market”, Kallas said. He went on to warn, however: “Don't expect the EU to develop monolithic solutions on its own (…) Yes, the EU is ready to support with targeted funding and with accompanying legal and operational frameworks, but it is for the private sector to take up the challenge and present innovative solutions”. (A.By./transl.jl)