Strasbourg, 29/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - Inter-institutional negotiations on the technical strand of the 4th rail package made progress on operability but remain deadlocked on two issues (see EUROPE 11297).
Two matters still have to be resolved before agreement can be reached on the technical pillar of the 4th rail package, according to a European source. The first is the question of implementing measures for future European rules. The Council would like to have as many implementing acts as possible but the European Parliament would prefer delegated acts, which would increase its power. The second pending issue is that of the rail networks in the Baltic States and Finland. Constructed under the Soviet regime, these networks have a different track gauge. The Parliament would like regional integration between these countries, while the Council is thinking more along the lines of specific rules under the direct supervision of the European Rail Agency. (Jean Comte)