Brussels, 26/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 26 June, the European Railway Agency (ERA) celebrated its 10th anniversary and is also on the point of further enlarging its remit. The task of the Agency, based in Valenciennes, France, is to support the creation of a single European railway area by preparing technical recommendations for the European Commission, which thereafter often become law. The ERA also offers railway operators, passenger organisations and rolling stock manufacturers a crucial contact point. The technical pillar in the 4th railway package is also set to provide it with a more extensive remit: it is planned that the ERA will be responsible for the issue of EU-wide authorisations for railway vehicles and safety certificates for railway operators, as well as facilitating the entrance of new operators into the market. In speech made to mark ERA's anniversary, Siim Kallas, European Commissioner for Transport, explained that the ERA will, therefore, “become a truly European rail authority” and that it already had an excellent reputation. (MD)