Brussels, 11/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - Just after they passed a report putting pressure on the Commission and the member states to set up functional airspace blocks (FABs) (see EUROPE 10651), MEPs checked that the Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers would include this matter among its priorities. At the European Parliament (EP) transport and tourism committee meeting on Tuesday 10 July, Cypriot Communications and Works Minister Efthemios Flourentzou was able to provide reassurance. He also set out the remainder of the Cypriot agenda for the road, maritime and airport sectors.
Several MEPs on the committee expressed their concerns to the minister that it seemed highly unlikely that the member states would be able to make up the time lost in setting up the FABs by 4 December. Said El Khadraoui (S&D, Belgium) went as far as to ask Flourentzou: “Are you prepared to make definite commitments?”. The minister, while giving assurances that he is well aware that FABs are essential to the Single European Sky, noted that it is not up to the Presidency to ensure that the timetable is adhered to; it is the Commission that will bring pressure to bear. He added that he would work with the Commission, between now and the 4 December deadline to make sure that the conditions for setting up the FABs have been created. The aviation summit which the Presidency will hold in Cyprus on 11-12 October should provide the opportunity to “take stock of progress” and to find ways to resolve the problems so far noted and make it possible to put the FABs in place. Keen to make air transport more efficient, the presidency will continue discussions with the EP on the airport package (time slots, ground-handling services, noise pollution).
Alongside this major issue, the Presidency is also looking to take forward negotiations with the EP on the Connecting Europe Facility with a view to adopting an agreement taking account of the multiannual financial framework, the minister said. In terms of land transport, the Presidency will seek to make progress in discussions on the tachograph, and will highlight road safety, with particular emphasis on young people. If the Commission presents the 4th rail package on time, the Presidency will be able, too, to undertake initial discussions.
Cyprus also wants to look again at the integrated maritime policy. Other priorities in the maritime sector include the responsibility of the flag state with regard to working conditions and the funding of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). (MD/transl.rt)