Brussels, 14/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 14 March, discussions on sustainable urban transport helped to provide assurances to European transport ministers regarding respect for the subsidiarity principle.
The Transport Council was asked to respond to the European Commission communication presented at the end of last year on sustainable urban transport (see EUROPE 10986). European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas highlighted the fact that his institution did not intend to introduce further legislation in this area. The Commission's main objective is to improve European level cooperation, Kallas said, adding that decisions on urban mobility had to be taken at a local level. The ideas expressed regarding respect for the subsidiarity principle provided the reassurances ministers had hoped for. Ministers also assessed possible synergies at different levels of power and in different sectors (transport, energy and the environment) that could be introduced in an effort to encourage more environmentally friendly transport, along with the financial resources required to achieve this aim. The Commission suggests combining European structural funds, European and national research funds, and private sector funding. (MD)