Asked by EUROPE during the press conference on the 'Graz Declaration' at the informal meeting of Transport and Environment Ministers in Graz on Tuesday 30 October (see other news), European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said she was "cautiously optimistic" about the possibility of Member States reaching a political agreement ('general approach') on the social and market aspects of the first mobility ‘package’ at the Transport Council meeting on 3 December.
This declaration comes after informal bilateral and multilateral meetings held on 29 and 30 October with and between several national delegations, among other things (see EUROPE 12127).
Mrs Bulc also paid tribute to the "incredible efforts" implemented by the Austrian Presidency of the Council to do this (see EUROPE 12121, 12118). This is at a time when the prospect of such an agreement seemed unrealistic a few months ago (see EUROPE 12036).
The Commissioner also expressed ’cautious optimism' that the European Parliament would vote on its negotiating position on this issue at the November plenary session. However, negotiations are still struggling between negotiators in the Parliament (see EUROPE 12123) and a vote on these issues at the November plenary session does not seem conceivable today, although such a vote cannot be ruled out for December. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)