Brussels, 18/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - Meeting in Luxembourg on Friday 15 October, the transport ministers of the EU held an exchange of views on the future of European policy for their sector. On the basis of a questionnaire put together by the Belgian Presidency of the Council, the ministers are called upon, amongst other things, to say what they think should be the general priorities of the transport policy, whilst the European Commission is putting together its new White Paper on the issue.
The general objectives put forward by the Commission, such as reducing carbon dependence, cutting emissions and bringing in new technologies, enjoyed general support. However, the member states were divided over the ways of achieving this, and particularly on funding. Sweden stressed the “need for a united transport system” based on “a single market”. “We do not need just uniform infrastructure, but the removal of administrative obstacles”, a representative of Sweden stressed during the debate. Italy stressed the need for the port infrastructures to be improved and for European aid to help the economy to recover. Portugal (supported by France) supported the development of electric vehicles, whereas Slovenia and France pleaded in favour of seeking solutions prioritising urban mobility. The Polish, Lithuanian, Czech and Slovenian delegations laid particular emphasis on the need for the harmonised development of transport infrastructure, proposing that funding could be adapted to this purpose out of various European funds (Cohesion Fund, Trans-European Transport Network Fund or the Regional Development Fund). Estonia insisted that the road market should be opened up to competition and that the single maritime market be completed. Like the Czech Republic, Germany stressed the need for a balance between “ecology, economy and social interests”. However, it opposed a “European financial framework” in the field of transport. Spain and France, on the other hand, spoke in favour of seeking “an intelligent funding architecture”, whilst the United Kingdom pleaded in favour of reducing expenditure with limited added value. According to the UK delegation, national efforts should not be hindered by an excessively rigid European framework, and this framework should be used to help the member states to give a shot in the arm to growth and competitiveness. (A.By./transl.fl)