The Finnish Presidency of the EU Council of the European Union and representatives of the European Parliament held a first meeting of interinstitutional negotiations ('trilogue') on Thursday 3 October on issues relating to the social and market aspects of the first mobility package (posting of lorry drivers, driving and resting time, tachographs, cabotage and market access).
According to our information, during these initial exchanges, which were essentially aimed at agreeing on technical details such as the timetable for future meetings, Parliament and the EU Council agreed to divide the negotiations according to the subject under discussion.
As the social and market aspects represent the sensitive area of the 'mobility I' package (see EUROPE 12303/6), the discussions will therefore focus separately on: (1) the posting of lorry drivers; (2) driving and resting time, as well as tachographs; (3) cabotage and market access.
After many difficulties, Parliament had finally adopted its position at first reading on these issues in early April (see EUROPE 12229/1). Transport Ministers of the European Union countries had painfully reached agreement in December (see EUROPE 12152/10).
The second trilogue is expected to take place around 4 November. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)