Although the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union is not expecting any compromises to be made at the Council on the “mobility” package and the revision of regulation 868/2004 by this December, it is hoping, nonetheless, that progress will be made with these dossiers.
“Substantial progress” expected on “mobility” package. This is one of the most politically sensitive subjects that will be on the agenda of the “terrestrial transport” working group at the Council of the European Union on 7 September. The “mobility” package provisions seeks to reform road transport in the EU and were put forward by the European Commission on 31 May last (see EUROPE 11799). For several weeks, they have been the subject of intense debates at both the Council (see EUROPE 11804) and Parliament (see EUROPE 11811). These debates have highlighted the differences between western and eastern European member states, particularly on questions relating to fair competition, social issues and the way in which the internal market functions. This is taking place in a tense European context, given that the French President, Emmanuel Macron, was in central and eastern European last week to defend his vision on posted workers. He also used this opportunity to criticise the Polish position on the subject (see EUROPE 11848).
The Maltese Presidency managed to bring the preparatory working groups together on the “mobility” package at the end of its mandate and representatives from these groups are expected to finish examining the European Commission’ impact study over the next two days. The next working group sessions will then provide an opportunity to take stock of the observations made by each of the delegations on the possibility of reaching a compromise.
No date has as yet been set for a possible compromise on the totality of the texts but the Estonian Presidency of the Council would like “substantial progress” to be made by the end of its mandate, as announced by the Estonian Minister for the Economy and Infrastructures, Kadri Simson, on Tuesday 11 July at the Parliament transport committee (see EUROPE 11827).
All the rapporteurs on the different texts were appointed at the Parliament on 5 July last (see EUROPE 11824) by the transport committee coordinators. The debates and work focusing on the European Commission proposals are not on the agenda of the September committee meetings but are expected to resume in October and November.
Inter-institutional negotiations (‘trialogues’) are also expected to begin during the Bulgarian Presidency during the first half of 2018.
Hopes for Council General approach on revision of regulation 868/2004 this December.
The other flagship subject ministers, working group representatives and MEPs are expecting to get to grips with involves airline company competition from third countries. The Commission presented a draft review of regulation 868/2004 on 8 June last, in an effort to improve the protection of EU aviation handlers against subsidies and unfair pricing practices carried out by third country operators (see EUROPE 11804). This text is also the subject of a number of differences at the Council between western and eastern European member states (see EUROPE 11805). The latter are concerned by the impact of this proposal in terms of the connectedness of their respective territories.
A session focusing on the examination of the impact study was requested by the working group before the summer recess and the national representatives are therefore due to examine this impact study in September, before a detailed analysis is made of each different article. Although Ms Simon informed Parliament that she expected “tangible progress” by the end of her Presidency, it would appear that they now hope a general approach will be obtained at the Transport Council meeting at the beginning of December.
MEPs are expected to examine the text during the committee meeting on 25 September next, given that there are plans for the Commission to present them with the draft revision of regulation 868/2004. An exchange of views is also expected to take place with Henrik Hololei, the Director-General of DG Move, during a committee meeting on 7 September.
Brexit hearings at European Parliament transport committee. Another major theme currently at the heart of European Union policies involves the United Kingdom leaving the organisation and how this will definitely have a major impact on transport. Many questions will have to be answered before the country effectively leaves the Union. It is in this perspective that Parliament's transport committee organised an initial hearing on the effects from Brexit on aviation, which was attended by business representatives on 11 July last (see EUROPE 11827).
Further hearings will take place in October and will help business representatives, consumers and civil society involved in other modes of transport, such as terrestrial and maritime, to discuss the implications of Brexit on their respective fields. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)