Brussels, 08/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 9 July, Lithuanian Minister for Transport Rimantas Sinkevicius presented the priorities of the rotating Presidency of the EU council of Ministers for his area of competence. Several MEPs expressed regret that the airport package was not included.
First of all, the minister mentioned the possibility of adopting a general approach on the infrastructure for alternative fuels. Clearly, the 4th railway package features very high on ministers' priority list. Sinkevicius said that the Presidency would focus discussions on the technical part of the package in an effort to agree a general approach on the safety chapter in the long term.
On aviation, the focus will be on the draft review of passenger rights. The minister hoped it would be possible to agree a common approach in the Council of Ministers by December, not ruling out the option of starting talks with the European Parliament, although he said the lion's share of the debate would take place under the Greek Presidency. Several MEPs were unhappy that the Lithuanian Presidency had decided not to tackle the controversial airport package.
Italian MEP Carlos Fidanza (EPP) hoped it wouldn't be left at the bottom of the pile. The Lithuanian minister simply said that priorities couldn't be added to ad infinitum, and the Presidency didn't have enough time or resources to deal with it. (MD/transl.fl)