Brussels, 20/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - German rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB AG) welcomed the European Commission's adoption on Friday 17 September of the revised version of the first rail package (see EUROPE 10217). “If we are to promote rail transport in Europe, we need harmonised European framework conditions,” Rüdiger Rube, Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Executive of DB AG, said in a press release on Friday. He went on to say that the most urgent objective was to devise Europe-wide solutions to central issues, such as unimpeded access to rail infrastructure and creating an equal level of regulation throughout Europe. DB AG calls for the main regulatory fields, such as the scope of the regulation and infrastructure financing, which are currently contained in annexes to the draft directive, to be made legally binding. In its press release, DB AG calls for the implementation of further measures needed to achieve a harmonised rail market. Among these measures are the full liberalisation of the rail passenger market, increasing the powers of the European Railway Agency, ensuring sufficient funding for rail infrastructure, and allowing all modes of transport to compete on equal terms. (A.By./transl.rt)