Brussels, 14/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - All modes of transport, apart from roads, will be discussed at the Transport Council on Thursday 16 June. The Council will examine the main issues in this connection (White Paper on transport, recasting of the railway package) and is expected to authorise different agreements (EU-Brazil in the aviation field, EU-inter-governmental organisation for international railway transport).
Intermodality. The Council will hold a debate on the pivotal document of the EUROPE 2020 strategy, the White Paper on a “Competitive and resource-efficient transport system” presented by the Commission last March. The Council will analyse the 10 key objectives and the 40 recommended initiatives to reduce transport emissions by 60% by 2050 (compared to 1990 levels). To this end, the public debate will be structured around different questions (how this objective will enhance competitiveness, whether these 10 objectives to reduce emissions are necessary, and which of the 40 initiative should be promoted to attain these objectives).
Recasting of the railway package. In the area of overland transport, rail will be in pride of place. European ministers are expected to reach an agreement on a draft directive setting up a single European railway area. The measures envisaged are expected to stimulate competitiveness in the European railway sector for both freight and passenger services, by ensuring competition between companies operating on the railways and developing greater transparency with regard to market access conditions. In this context, the Council will particularly focus on questions still pending, including the independence of railway infrastructure operators from the companies using this infrastructure, in an effort to ensure a non-discriminatory access to this infrastructure and services.
The Council is likely to approve an agreement between the EU and the International Union of Railways (UIC) with regard to the EU signing the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF), which aims to promote rail interoperability between the EU and neighbouring countries.
Navigable rivers. The NAIADES programme (Navigation and Inland Waterway Action and Development in Europe) and the PLATINA platform set up to implement this programme and promote river transport will come to an end in 2013 and 2012 respectively. The Council is therefore expected to adopt conclusions calling on the Commission to ensure continuity of these initiatives and formulate proposals to maintain the dynamic created by NAIADES. Conclusions will highlight funding questions, the eradication of bottlenecks, intermodal connections with the hinterland, modernisation of the fleet and development of river information services.
European maritime security agency. The Council is expected to obtain a general orientation on amendments to be made to the current European Maritime Security Agency (EMSA). The latter's initial purpose is to help ensure maritime security and safety and prevent maritime pollution by ships. A revised regulation will extend this to pollution caused by oil or gas rigs. The agency could also contribute towards other European initiatives such as the “motorways of the sea” and the European borderless maritime transport area. Its main objectives will also be combined with other tasks relating to environmental issues and internal waterway transport.
Aviation, EU-Brazil. The aviation agreement between the EU and Brazil is expected to be signed at this Transport Council. This agreement will replace the 15 pre-existing bilateral agreements at member state level. It seeks to increase traffic rights, improve investment opportunities and enhance cooperation in the regulatory field. This is a highly strategic agreement for the European and Brazilian economies. Four million passengers travel between the EU and Brazil every year, a figure that is expected to increase with the football World Cup and the Olympic Games in Brazil in 2014 in 2016.
The Council is also expected to authorise the opening of negotiations for a similar agreement with the Republic of Moldova.