15/03/2018 (Agence Europe) – Although discussions about the next multi-annual financial framework post-2020 are continuing at the Council of the EU and European Parliament (see EUROPE 11978, EUROPE 11981) and although the Commission will be presenting a proposal on this on 2 May (see EUROPE 11959), the International Road Union (IRU) has identified two priorities in a press release dated Wednesday 14 March. The organisation is of the opinion that funding should be allocated for the introduction of secure parking areas so that lorry drivers can rest there in complete security. This is irrespective of the fact that discussions concerning the revision of Regulation 2006/2020/EC also tackle this question (see EUROPE 11933, EUROPE 11945). The IRU also considers that the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) should finance innovation so that the transport sector is able to reduce its environmental footprint. (LT)