Brussels, 04/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - Presenting the Directorate General's work programme to the European Parliament transport committee, Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas announced the imminent review of the first rail package (see EUROPE 7612)). The long-awaited proposal (see EUROPE 9990) might be brought forward before the summer (and definitely by September), according to Commission spokesman. Kallas said that, as part of this review, the Commission intends to clarify current rules, improve decision-making and guidelines on implementing the package, enhance the independence of regulatory bodies and take account of environmental issues, including noise. At the same time, the Commission plans to open up wider reflection “in order to improve the situation in the rail sector,” the commissioner said. “Opening up to competition, certification” and separating infrastructure management and operations would be the areas on which focus would be put, he said.
Among other priority initiatives, Kallas announced a review of measures which relate to the operation of airports and increasing airport capacity, including revision of the legislation on time slots (and on ground-handling services) by June 2011. The commissioner announced that, in the meantime, the Commission would continue to work for greater cooperation between the EU and other countries of the world in aviation. The second stage of the “Open Sky” agreement, concluded with the United States in March (see EUROPE 10106), will be signed on 30 June, he stated. He said, too, that, as part of the review of Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) policy guidelines, scheduled for the start of next year, the Commission intended to set out the priorities on financing and infrastructure and decide on the core part of the network corridors, which will use green, innovative technologies. Addressing the issue of funding, the commissioner warned against too high expectations. He once again, however, insisted on priority spending areas and on public-private partnerships. “We have to find synergies between the private and pubic sectors” and the various instruments available, he stressed during the debate with MEPs. The private sector was ready to provide funding, but the question stakeholders were asking was how to put projects together. He said that he was currently working with his colleague at regional policy to examine possible ways of coordinating the available funding for TEN-T projects with money available under regional policy. On road transport, he announced initiatives to further open up the market by liberalising cabotage (2012). And he confirmed that he was in contact with the forthcoming Belgian Presidency of the EU (second half of this year) with a view to resuming discussions on the revised draft Eurovignette directive, which have been suspended since the Transport Council of March 2009 (se EUROPE 9879). The Commission also intends, before the end of the year, to present a communication on the road safety strategy by 2020. Reflection in this area “is likely to take the same approach as in the current programme”, but, in a second phase, the Commission intends to “revise and harmonise road safety measures,” the commissioner said. The road safety package is likely to include proposals to harmonise “national practices” with regard to application of fines for road offences and to raise the issue of cross-border fines. Kallas was, however, reticent about harmonising speed limits and authorised blood-alcohol levels across Europe. In the maritime sector, the Commission is planning to tackle, in particular, “the decline in staffing and skills” in Europe and ensure observance of international provisions applicable to seafarers. Concrete proposals (a package on a social maritime agenda) will be brought forwards “at the end of next year”, the commissioner said. (A.By./transl.rt)