Brussels, 08/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - The Latvian presidency has robustly relaunched work on the 4th railway package. This week, several meetings will set the tone for the next few months, which makes conclusion of railway reform appear promising (see EUROPE 11225).
A work group on the political pillar met at the Council on Wednesday 7 January. The presidency presented the group with a new casting of the compromise text focusing on railway governance, opening up the railway passenger transport market and the allocation of public procurement contracts. This approach has been warmly welcomed by the European delegations, which are pleased to see the comments they made under the Italian presidency, being taken into consideration. They have until the end of the month to make their observations known to the Latvian presidency. A new document will therefore be formulated on this new basis, which will be discussed on 10 and 17 February. According to what support this text obtains, it will be necessary to work out whether the work on the technical pillar can be pursued at a workgroup or more senior level, during a debate at the Transport Council on 13 March.
The Presidency has placed much hope on the ongoing talks between the Parliament and Council about the technical pillar in the 4th railway package. Conclusion of the informal trialogue negotiations on the subject will be included in the presidency's main priorities, confirmed a source close to the dossier at the end of a work group meeting at the Council Thursday 8 January. The dates for a fourth trialogue and a number of other meetings necessary are expected to be arranged with the Council during a technical meeting at the end of the week. (MD)