Brussels, 21/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - Belgium and Portugal have been taken to court by the European Commission for infringements to European legislation in the area of transport.
Belgium will have to provide an answer to the European Court of Justice over shortcomings in its legislation on the transport of hazardous goods. The country has failed to align itself with European Directive 2008/68/EC, which regulates the transport of explosives, inflammable liquids and toxic substances by road, rail and inland waterway. Despite a reasoned opinion sent by the Commission, Belgium has still not transposed this legislation, which it should have done by June 2011 at the latest.
Portugal will be appearing at the European Court of Justice for failing to introduce competition into the ground handling services at the airports of Faro, Lisbon and Porto. The country is failing to correctly apply directive 96/67/EC, particularly with regard to the rules on baggage handling, ramp handling and freight and mail handling. The selection of service providers in 2003 did not respect the measures included in European legislation and subsequently undermines competition. Two reasoned opinions have already been sent to Portugal but the country has failed to respond to them. The Commission has decided to take matters up in court. (MD/transl.fl)