Brussels, 17/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - Should we be kissing goodbye to the possible presentation of a fourth railway package this month? It is more than likely. Initially announced for the end of 2012, the dates of 23 and 30 January were then mooted, followed by a laconic “beginning of February”. Is this purely down to timetable considerations? There were rumours of a postponement following a meeting between Commissioner Siim Kallas and the French minister for transport, Frédéric Cuvilier, on Thursday 17 January.
France would not greet the liberalisation of domestic passenger traffic promised in this package favourably or the complete separation of infrastructure operators and network service providers. This latter issue is also a bone of contention in Germany, where the success of Deutsche Bahn would be threatened. Last week, the College of Commissioners broadly supported Commissioner Kallas, with the exception, it appears, of Commissioner Oettinger, from Germany. A redefinition exercise will be required before the College gives its approval, which could also mean further delay on this dossier. (MD/transl.fl)