The Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union published on Monday 20 May, a progress report on the revision of Directive 2006/1/EC on the use of vehicles hired without drivers for the carriage of goods by road, and apparently waived the possibility of a political agreement ('general approach') at the EU Transport Ministers' meeting on 6 June.
The meeting of the Member States' ambassadors to the European Union (Committee of Permanent Representatives - Coreper) on Wednesday 15 May did not allow for conclusions to be drawn on the possibility of obtaining, on 6 June, a general approach or a simple progress report on this matter (see EUROPE 12256/14). The document published this Monday by Bucharest seems to clarify this point.
Indeed, in this progress report, which must be approved by Coreper and the EU Council, the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council invites the States to "take note of the progress made on this file" and therefore normally does not leave any room for a compromise in June. This, despite the fact that a final draft compromise on this subject was put forward last 8 May (see EUROPE 12251/17).
For more than a year now, this issue has been held hostage to developments relating to the social and market aspects of the first ‘mobility’ package (see EUROPE 12229/1, 12152/10). This is confirmed by Bucharest in this progress report, indicating that national delegations had expressed different views on the envisaged conduct of the negotiations "either in parallel with the other files or as a subsequent step".
In addition, several States are concerned about the impact of a future text on tax revenues, on national vehicle registration rules or on controls.
Therefore, the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council considered that a progress report was the most appropriate solution. However, possible developments cannot be ruled out in this matter in the coming days, which is why it cannot be firmly stated that no agreement will be reached. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)