Brussels, 20/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - The representatives from the 20 major European ports have managed to put their points of view across to the European Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, on the question of the port reforms currently being undertaken. They also said that they wanted their autonomy.
On Monday 19 January, the Commissioner invited the ports to discuss the policy outlined by the European Commission for maritime transport. The representatives from the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) expressed their point of view on the port package, including a draft regulation on port competitiveness and financial transparency. ESPO asserted that the ports should be granted full autonomy in setting charges and minimum requirements for port services and guarantees for financial transparency where ports receive public funding, as well as “clear guidance” on state aid for port investments. ESPO president Santiago Garcia-Milà also criticised the fact that the Council's general approach had left it up to the member states to decide whether the ports could be autonomous or not. He believes that this could undermine the level playing field between European ports and explained “We want the autonomy of ports strengthened in Europe, as it was initially proposed by the Commission”. The European Parliament still has to begin work on this legislative proposal (see EUROPE 11231). At the end of a meeting with ESPO, the European Commissioner expressed her wish to maintain and improve European ports' assets as industrial poles that contributed to growth, jobs and energy security. (MD)