Member states clashed once again during the Transport Council on Thursday 1 December and failed to reach an agreement on the question of liberalisation of the road haulage sector. One bloc of member states headed by Germany and France wants to fight against endemic fraud in the sector and another, represented by Poland, in particular, is calling for increased liberalisation of the road transport markets.
It should be pointed out that this point had been added to the joint demand by Germany and France (see EUROPE 11679). These two member states do not want liberalisation of the road transport market as long as there is no harmonisation of social standards at European level or effective market controls. They also both have significant joint interests in this dossier and have called for the road sector to be included in the revision of the directive on posted workers (see EUROPE 11673). This proposal was rejected by several member states in Central and Eastern Europe, including Bulgaria. Others, following the line of the United Kingdom, Ireland and even Portugal, appear to be shifting towards a middle way between the two blocs and want to avoid social dumping without obstructing competitiveness.
Three difficulties were mentioned on a number of occasions: letterbox companies and the scourge hampering rules governing cabotage, as well as fraud organised around tachographs.
In reply to a question from EUROPE on this dossier at the end of the Council, the Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, explained that the Commission was going to propose a solution to force companies to register in the member state where the bulk of their activities are concentrated. On the question of cabotage, Ms Bulc explained that she did not intend to introduce legislation but would clarify existing rules. Finally, on the question of tachographs, the Commissioner said that a new technical definition would be set out in the next few months. On this latter point, several member states said they would in the future prefer to resort to digital technologies instead of having to introduce on-board apparatuses. These technologies are easier to use, one diplomatic source explained to us.
Significantly, Malta did not speak on this item of any other business, despite the fact that it will be taking over the next rotating Presidency. This is because the small island country is well known as a host of “letterbox” companies.
Support for Extending Role of European Aviation Safety Agency. The Council also came up with an approach on the revision of safety rules in the civil aviation domain, as well on the revised mandate for the European Aviation Safety Agency. The aim of this revision is to introduce performance and risk-based rules, particularly in the administrative field. According to the Commission, this is a ground breaking change that is expected to provide both innovation and a new boost by simplifying approval procedures for lower risk aircraft such as helicopters and small planes. This revision, for the first time, introduces rules for improving governance of the drone sector, which is currently experiencing significant expansion on the European market and it would help guarantee security and respect for private life. The member states reframed the Commission proposal on safety by proposing a safety/security interface system. In this regard, the agency will only be able to take measures when there is interdependency between security and safety in the civil aviation field.
Inland navigation. The Council also reached an agreement on a general approach for two very technical proposals to improve passenger boat security. This will involve a directive on rules for passenger boats and another directive on a simplified inspection system for Roll-on-roll off ferries and high-speed passenger craft. Ministers used this opportunity to examine the progress accomplished on the registration of passenger boats.
Armenia gets go-ahead. Finally, ministers agreed to the European Commission launching negotiations for a comprehensive agreement in the aviation transport domain with Armenia. The Commission has already received mandates for negotiating with United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the countries of the Association of South Eastern Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Turkey (see EUROPE 11567). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)