On Tuesday 11 July during the European Parliament’s transport committee, the Estonian Minister for the Economy and Infrastructure, Kadri Simson, presented the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU’s work programme for the transport sector.
Mobility package. According to Ms Simson, the mobility package presented by the European Commission at the end of Last May (see EUROPE 11799) “is undoubtedly the most important initiative” at this current juncture in the transport sector. The Estonian Minister is hoping for significant progress at the Council by the end of December. In her reply to different MEPs, she indicated that she did not want to “avoid the question of social rights”, the main stumbling block at the European Parliament (see EUROPE 11811) and Council (see EUROPE 11804).
Although the discussions have already begun at the Council working group, the Estonian Minister explained that the inter-institutional negotiations (‘trialogues’) are undoubtedly expected to begin during the Bulgarian Presidency at the beginning of 2018. It will therefore be up to Estonia to prepare these negotiations over the next six months.
Revision of the 868/2004 regulation. Another subject currently on the table at the Council and European Parliament includes fair competition between Union and non-EU companies. This issue will also occupy a significant position in the Estonian Presidency’s agenda.
The Commission presented a draft revision of the 868/2004 regulation on the protection of the EU transport handlers against the subsidies and unfair pricing practices used by third country operators, on 8 June last (see EUROPE 11804) and the Minister expressed her wish to accomplish “tangible progress” by the end of the year.
Revision of EASA statutes. The Minister was also asked questions regarding the revision of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (see EUROPE 11750). The negotiations on the subject were not concluded under the Maltese Presidency during the first half of the year and the Minister said that she would like to conclude an inter-institutional political agreement in this regard this November.
Digitalisation and connectivity. Kadri Simson also mentioned the Estonian Presidency’s priorities on digitalisation and connectivity. Digitalisation is a global Estonian Presidency priority and transport does not appear to be exception. The Minister would like the Digital barriers to interconnections in Europe to be eliminated. This theme will therefore be on the table over the next six months.
Ms Simson highlighted the importance of connectivity and quality infrastructure as part of the Trans-European Network for Transport (RTE-T). (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)