Brussels, 23/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - During his most recent public declarations, the European Commissioner for Transport, Siim Kallas, has denied being “too liberal” with regard to rail reform.
Kallas took part in the InnoTrans Forum in Berlin on Saturday 23 September, where he predicted difficult negotiations ahead on the political chapter in the Fourth Railway Package and “a good degree of contradictory views can be expected in the debates on market opening and network governance”. He acknowledged that the proposals for opening up the market, such as this rail reform that he proposed in 2013, were provoking “fierce resistance” and that quite often it is these elements which are “watered down” in parliamentary proceedings and also in the Council. Nonetheless, he rejected criticism of having been “too liberal” and found these accusations “completely unfounded”. This was the last time he explained his position on the subject and added, “barriers to the functioning of market mechanisms are meant to protect isolated entities, obsolete industries, privileged companies, isolated segments of transport industry”, which were detrimental to a functioning European transport economy as a whole. He remains convinced that market opening can bring clear benefits for the European economy, because it brings in private investment to the transport sector and improves the quality of services. He concluded that the challenge involved reaching a balance between environmental requirements, European expectations and the economic situation. (MD)