At the meeting on Thursday 7 June in Luxembourg, EU Transport Ministers will provide an update on the negotiations relating to the social and market aspects of the first mobility package. They will also adopt a general approach on unfair competition from third country companies.
After around 20 meetings of national experts at the Council and two meetings of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to the EU (‘Coreper’), no political solution has as yet been found on the social and market aspects in road transport: drivers' postings, rest and driving times and cabotage (see EUROPE 12028). Although the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council has highlighted the progress made at a technical level, the political questions are far from being settled. A progress report on these questions will therefore be submitted to ministers and it will be up to the future Austrian Presidency of the Council to attempt to unblock these dossiers. This is despite the fact that the European Parliament transport committee voted on its position in this regard on Monday 4 June (see EUROPE 12034).
Despite this impasse, ministers will adopt a general approach on the two less sensitive texts in the first mobility pact: the interoperability of electronic toll systems and hiring vehicles without drivers. The compromises reached are, overall, in keeping with the key ideas in the European Commission’s proposals (see EUROPE 12026).
Aviation competition. The text on the revision of regulation 868/2004 relating to tackling unfair practices by third country airlines will be the subject of a general approach, following the principled agreement obtained at Coreper on 4 May last (see EUROPE 12015).
This ministerial green light will allow for inter-institutional negotiations to be launched with the European Parliament (‘trialogues’). The latter has adopted a more robust position on the matter (see EUROPE 11985).
Port reception facilities. Ministers will also ratify the agreement obtained at Coreper on the port reception facilities for delivering ship waste. This general approach has been obtained in a relatively short time frame, with the Commission presenting its proposal on 16 January last (see EUROPE 11940).
A few amendments were made to the proposal, particularly with regard to the inspection systems for ensuring respect of the rules or the margin of manoeuvre allowed for member states in the system for recovering the costs for using port reception facilities or processing ship waste.
Member states that do not have ports or ships that fly their respective flags should not, according to this agreement, be obliged to apply the major part of the directive's provisions.
Second mobility package. Ministers will also take note of the progress report on the second mobility package involving the acquisition of clean vehicles in the context of public procurement and combined transport.
On this last point, several compromise texts had already been presented at Council working parties but the question involving the cabotage exemption has still not been the subject of an agreement (see EUROPE 12024).
On the section on clean vehicles, discussions began but differences appeared in terms of the definition and objectives.
Railway passenger rights. A progress report will also be submitted to ministers on railway passenger rights. Work has begun but no compromise has as yet been put on the table (see EUROPE 12029).
Third mobility package and Austrian priorities. The European Commission will also present ministers with its proposals on the third mobility package published on 17 May last (see EUROPE 12022).
The future Austrian Presidency of the Council will also outline its priorities for the next six months. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)