On Tuesday 12 December, the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and representatives from the European Parliament reached an agreement of principle. This agreement was obtained at the end of the second meeting of inter-institutional negotiations (‘trialogue’) and involves revising directive 2003/59/EC and 2006/126/EC on initial qualifications and lifelong training respectively, for transport sector workers, particularly bus and coach drivers and driving licences.
Few difficulties were envisaged at these meetings between the Estonian Presidency of the Council and Parliament given that the ministers (see EUROPE 11804) and MEPs (see EUROPE 11882) managed to reach agreements easily in June and October last. The job of the co-legislators therefore mainly involves resolving the technical points. This text will allow heavy-duty vehicle drivers to have their training recognised in EU member state other than the ones where they obtained their licenses. The compulsory permanent training incumbent on drivers will also be based around environmental and safety issues.
Kadri Simson, the Estonian minister for Economic Affairs and Infrastructure welcomed the fact that the text, “will make it easier for drivers to move between different EU countries for work purposes, and for transport companies to hire qualified workers".
Although the date for approving the inter-institutional agreement by the Committee of Permanent Representatives to the EU (‘Coreper’) is still not yet known, the representatives are expected to give their verdict in 2018, following on from the MEPs at their plenary session. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)