Brussels, 08/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - Cyprus will not be ignoring transport in its presidential agenda, once it takes up the reins of the EU Presidency from the Danes on 1 July. A small insight into the agenda was provided on Thursday 7 March in Luxembourg. During the Transport Council, the Cypriot delegation presented the agenda for the second half of this year in the field of transport.
Continuity. Continuing the general approaches taken by the Danish Presidency, Nicosia intends to pursue the work the railway recast package, airport proposals on baggage handling and noise, Trans-European Transport Network guidelines, the Connecting Europe Facility and the governance framework for Galileo and EGNOS.
Maritime. Cyprus' island location explains why it is not ignoring maritime matters. The Presidency is keen to reach agreements on the two proposals on the responsibilities of flag and port states for the enforcement of the Maritime Labour Convention (a preliminary debate on this took place during the same Transport Council). Cyprus would also like to guide the debate on the budget for the European Maritime Safety Organisation for the 2014-2020 period, as well as the debates on the proposal by the Commission for fighting maritime pollution (for this autumn). European transport ministers may also be asked to participate in the debate on integrated maritime policy.
On land and in the air. The Cypriot Presidency, however, does not intend to restrict itself to these subjects. In the field of land transport, proposals on the tachograph are still being examined. The third part of the airport package on flight slots and landing will also be tackled (this is the most controversial part). Still in the sphere of air transport, Cyprus will be unable to avoid raising the question of significant delays in the introduction of functional airflight slots, which are a crucial aspect, if the European Single Sky is to be completed. (MD/transl.fl)