Brussels, 30/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - Several important questions figure on the agenda of the Transport Council on Thursday 2 December in Brussels. As well as the attempt to reach a political agreement on the draft directive on cross-border pursuits for traffic offences (EUROPE 10266), transport ministers will also hold an orientation debate on the revised version of the first railway package (EUROPE 10217). Ministers will also outline their positions, on the basis of a questionnaire prepared by the Belgian Presidency of the Council, for possible incentive measures to set up the ERTMS systems for reducing train carriage noise. Ministers will examine the progress accomplished on regulated public service access modalities (only available to users authorised by the governments, such as the police and customs services) provided under the Galileo system (satellite radio navigation system). Discussions will take place on the basis of a European Commission proposal presented in October, which outlines access rules for this secure and encrypted service included in this system's sensitive applications. The Council is currently divided on the question and will only take into account a progress report on the work being carried out in this area. In the air transport field, ministers will discuss and note (with, if possible, the adoption of conclusions) the report recommendations for airfreight safety, drafted by a high-level group in charge of this issue (EUROPE 10266). There will not, however, be a joint debate on airfreight safety (planned a short while ago) between ministers of the interior meeting up on the same day. Maritime transport. The Council is expected to give its formal support to projects facilitating traffic through maritime and river routes, by adopting conclusions outlining the total integration of waterborne transport through logistical chains. In a follow-up to the informal discussions between ministers that took place last September in Antwerp (EUROPE 10215), the conclusions support the launch of the “blue belt” project proposed by the Belgian Presidency of the Council and emphasise short distance maritime transport and transport by inland waterways (EUROPE 10217). The Council is also expected to adopt conclusions highlighting key objectives for strengthening road safety. (A.By./transl.fl)