Brussels, 07/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - European transport ministers were singing from the same hymn sheet at the Transport Council in Luxembourg on Thursday 6 October both on the need for closer cooperation on transport matters with countries neighbouring on the EU and also in their exchange of views on revision of the regulation on the tachograph, the device which records the work and rest times of professional drivers.
The tachograph is a key piece of equipment for ensuring fair competition between road transport companies and also for protecting professional drivers' working conditions and, hence, improving safety for all road users. In July, the Commission proposed yet another review of Regulation 3821/85, this time to try to reduce fraud by encouraging digital tachographs, remote communication and satellite positioning. The review also provides for a specific interface integrating tachographs in the Intelligent Transport Systems, merging driving licences and driver cards, and harmonising sanctions. Poland, which is intent on sealing this issue before the end of its presidency of the Council, called on ministers to share their experiences of tachographs and formulate improvements they would like to see, always bearing in mind the Commission proposals. All agreed that fraud is widespread and that the time has come to take action to resolve this problem. Some delegations, such as those of France and the United Kingdom, however, expressed some concern with regard to the cost-benefit analysis for putting in place the changes proposed by the Commission. Germany called for SMEs to be exempted from the need for tachographs for transport operations within a radius of 150 kilometres, rather than the 100 kilometres proposed by the Commission.
Cooperation with neighbouring regions. The Council also adopted conclusions in response to a Commission communication presented in July, outlining measures to strengthen transport connections with those states neighbouring the EU which come under European enlargement or neighbourhood policies. In its conclusions, the Council advocates improving transport infrastructure and closer integration of transport markets. There should be closer cooperation with the Western Balkans, the Mediterranean region (call supported by Italy) and the Eastern Partnership countries (supported by the Slovenian and Slovakian delegations).
The Council also authorised the Commission to open negotiations on an air agreement with Azerbaijan and with the European Organisation for Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) on a high-level agreement establishing a new and stable framework for enhanced cooperation. (MD/transl.rt)