Brussels, 03/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - At the Transport Council on 7 June, ministers will hold a policy debate on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from diesel cars and are expected to adopt mandates that will allow the European Commission to launch negotiations on air transport agreements with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Turkey.
Nitrogen oxide is a particularly hot issue and follows up on the scandal that rocked Volkwagen in September of last year when it was revealed that the German group used defeat devices in laboratory tests to deliver better performance results in terms of emissions (see EUROPE 11394). Here ministers will discuss the options available under the regulation on Euro V and VI standards (Regulation 715/2007) for reducing NOx emissions.
More specifically, they will seek to determine whether Article 5 of the regulation, which makes provision for the use of defeat devices to protect the engine, needs to be revised. Several car manufacturers have argued that such devices have to be used when the ambient temperature is, for example, too low.
Some civil society and also industry observers have suggested that such use cannot be justified. In the European Parliament, the commission of enquiry into the Volkswagen scandal has recently broached this issue (see EUROPE 11558). The S&D Group, with the support of the Greens, the GUE/NGL, ALDE and EFDD, sent a letter on Friday 3 June to the three competent commissioners so that the shortcomings in the legislation in force are addressed. According to a diplomatic source, the member states would appear to favour of better guidelines on these derogations. Ministers will also discuss the latest technological developments that will help reduce emissions of polluting gases.
The Dutch Presidency of the Council of the EU will report back to the Environment Council on 20 June on the outcome of the discussion. The sharing of responsibilities among the various Council formations is complex. The Environment Council is responsible for issues relating to the Euro V and VI standards. The Transport Council, consequently, cannot make any decisions on these matters but may, however, hold policy debates on the initiative of the Dutch Presidency.
In line with the aviation strategy unveiled in December of last year (see EUROPE 11448), ministers are expected also to adopt negotiating mandates allowing the Commission to open talks with the ASEAN countries, two Gulf States (the United Arab Emirates and Qatar) and Turkey on comprehensive air transport agreements. One of the most important points on which the Commission will be asked to focus will be the inclusion of a fair competition clause to bring greater transparency on state aid, particularly among the Gulf States (see EUROPE 11471).
Initially, some member states, including Germany, were rather unhappy that the Commission conduct several negotiations at the same time (see EUROPE 11450) before changing their minds. The absolute priority remains the negotiations with the Gulf States, a diplomatic source told us, followed thereafter by the talks with ASEAN. This second mandate remains crucial, nonetheless, for creating direct connections with the south-east Asian states and thus being able to bypass the large airports of the Gulf States, the same source indicated. The mandates are likely to be for a duration of four years but there could be variations. The Commission, while probably being able to seek extensions if necessary, has said it is hopeful of an agreement by 2017 with the ASEAN countries (see EUROPE 11490).
The least that can be said is that the agenda will be crowded and other issues will also be discussed. Ministers will adopt a general approach on a draft directive on the recognition of professional qualifications in inland navigation which aims to promote the mobility of labour in the sector. Ministers will exchange views on the contribution of the EU to the talks on reducing international aviation CO2 emissions taking place at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). A decision is expected at the next ICAO Assembly, which will be held in Montreal from 27 September to 7 October 2016. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)