Brussels, 01/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - Before any decision on opening up domestic markets for freight transport by road, Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas prefers to be advised by various experts. Market opening is aimed at liberalisation of cabotage (the possibility for a haulier to ensure internal transport in a country other than his own). The high level group of eight European experts from academic circles met for the first time on 27 June and will conduct a series of hearings with stakeholders on the ground in order to flesh out its recommendations, which will be submitted to the Commission in May 2012. The ensuing legislative proposals would come about in 2013. Kallas pointed out after the meeting that the “European Union needs to optimise its transport system and improve its efficiency and sustainability. There are still a lot of obstacles left that need to be tackled and rules that must be harmonised. I count on this group of 'wise men' to advise me on where the EU should concentrate its efforts to further integrate the internal market for road freight transport.”