Brussels, 20/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 20 January, the Latvian Minister for Transport, Anrijs Matiss, confirmed to MEPs at the European Parliament transport committee (TRAN) that the Latvian presidency's number one priority would be the technical pillar in the 4th railway package. MEPs expressed their concerns to him about social dumping in the road transport sector.
Rail. Minister Matiss asserted that the conclusion of the inter-institutional negotiations on the technical pillar was “an absolute priority in the transport field”. A 4th trialogue meeting will take place at the end of January on sharing competences between the national certification agencies for rolling stock and the European Railway Agency. The political pillar in the railway market will not be put aside because the presidency will seek to “ensure progress on other elements in the package”, explained the Minister. He wants to pursue the work undertaken by the Italian presidency and provided assurances that the sections on public service obligations and railway governance would be examined together.
Aviation. Aviation will also require concerted effort from the Latvian presidency in the transport sector. Although the question of Gibraltar airport (of concern to both the Spanish and British delegations) cannot be resolved during the mandate of the Latvian presidency, the Minister hopes that there will be “constructive support”. He is, in effect, hoping that a “procedural and technical” solution will be found so that work can continue on the landing and take-off slots and revision of airline passenger rights. The Minister also said that the presidency intended to begin a political discussion on the question of drones, particularly during a high level event organised in Riga.
Social dumping. MEPs alerted the minister about the problem of social dumping in the road transport sector. Some MEPs provided information about new Belgian and French provisions that penalised drivers who spent the night in their lorries and the introduction of the minimum wage in Germany, which would have other repercussions in the sector. The Latvian Minister indicated that he had met his German counterpart recently to discuss the subject and that the question of social dumping could be discussed “in other forums” under the Latvian presidency. (MD)