Brussels, 05/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Danish Presidency will move forward cautiously in the transport field. According to this Scandinavian country, this area requires improved connections and its impact on air pollution needs to be reduced. In the first half of 2012, the Danish Presidency will be happy to tackle the main issues, such as the trans-European transport network (TEN-T), recasting the railway and airport packages (ground handling services, slot allocation and noise pollution). The Danish Presidency is also seeking to examine smaller issues, such as the mechanism for linking up Europe, revision of the directive on driving licences, the “Blue Belt” pilot navigation project and satellite navigation systems. Finally, Denmark is surprisingly keen on promoting super trucks on its list of priorities.
Under the guidance of the Danish transport minister, Henrik Dam Kristensen, European counterparts will be meeting at the end of March and at the beginning of June. The Danish Presidency has not planned any additional Informal Council for preparing the ground.
General approach on TEN-T in March. Although the Commission presented its vision for the renewed trans-European transport network last October (a central network in 2030 and a comprehensive network by 2050), further and more detailed negotiations at the Council will continue during the Danish presidency. At the end of the Transport Council on 22 March, a general approach is expected to be outlined on the subject. On the Commission's initiative, the Danish Presidency intends to emphasise improved transport infrastructure connections, especially at cross-border sections, reduced bottlenecks, the promotion of co-modality and intelligent transport systems.
Finishing negotiations on railways. Following a first reading adoption of the European Parliament position on recasting of the railway package (which revises and corrects three directives on the internal rail market), the Council is expected to finish negotiations in the second reading on this very important dossier, which is aimed at adding greater impetus to competition in the sector. The Danish Presidency is therefore hoping to conclude discussions on the subject by the end of June.
Two-phase aviation package. In the aviation field, the Danish Presidency is intending to develop a general Council approach on the Commission proposals for improving regulation on ground handling during stopovers (Council of 22 March) and noise pollution (Council of 7 June). The Commission proposal on possibilities for exchanging slots allocated to airlines will simply be subject to a report in June on the state of progress achieved. The subject is effectively more sensitive, given the hostile reactions of airlines. The Transport Councils on 22 March and 7 June are expected to give the go-ahead to the signing of aviation agreements with Moldova and Israel.
Training seafarers and EMSA, in June. Maritime issues will also be energetically pursued during the rotating presidency, and during the June Council the Danish Presidency intends to inform transport ministers about the revision of the regulation on the European Maritime Security Agency (EMSA) and the Commission proposal for minimum training for seafarers. More specifically, a general approach will be developed on the Commission proposal to modify the directive on training standards for mariners, certification and watchmanship, in an effort to respect the convention revised internationally in 2010.
Super trucks. The Danish Presidency also intends to promote super trucks. The dimensions of these vehicles have been revised upwards and one super truck could be used to replace three conventional lorries. The subject is not on the future Councils' agendas but the Presidency has already expressed its wish to see their use authorised for cross-border transport because the Danish transport minister is convinced of their advantage to freight transport by road and that this will improve the environmentally friendly way in which goods are transported in this sector.
Other priorities. It is also possible that under the Danish Presidency a general approach is developed towards the end of March on amending the driving licence directive. This point had been put on the sidelines of the development of a general approach on tachographs during the last Transport Council under the Polish Presidency in December 2011. The Danish Presidency intends to conclude its mandate in the transport field by making progress during 7 June Council on the mechanism for connecting up Europe (Commission proposal to allocate €31.7 billion for modernising the transport infrastructure in Europe), as well as on a partially general approach on satellite navigation systems. The Presidency will also lead an orientation debate on the evaluation of the “Blue Belt” pilot project for navigating short distance maritime navigation routes.
Other events. The Presidency will organise specific conferences on challenges facing European transport, such as funding for infrastructure, the European Rail Traffic Management System, aviation accidents and road safety. (MD/transl.fl)