Brussels, 11/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - The chairman of the British Rail Freight Group, Tony Berkeley, is highly critical of the German lobby which is opposed to separating railway structures, to be imposed by the upcoming railway package from the European Commission (see EUROPE 10759). In a press release, Berkeley alleges that the European energy commissioner, Günther Oettinger, is doing his very best, on behalf of the German government, to sabotage the 4th railway package in order to protect the interests of Deutsche Bahn, even though the package is supported by all other commissioners. Commissioner Oettinger's private office did not wish to comment. Berkeley went on to stress that smaller countries support the separation of DB in order to reduce the likelihood that it will take over their national systems. The Commission continues to fine-tune its proposal with a view to its adoption end January. (MD/transl.jl)