While the transport sector is heavily affected by the various measures adopted by Member States to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the relevant EU ministers agreed to minimise traffic disruption in order to ensure "economic continuity".
They exchanged views by videoconference, on Wednesday 18 March, at the initiative of the Transport Commissioner, Adina Vălean, and the Croatian Minister for Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure, Oleg Butković, whose country currently holds the rotating Presidency of the EU Council.
This informal meeting was an opportunity for ministers to discuss measures to be taken to ensure the circulation of essential goods, as called for by many organisations (see EUROPE 12448/9), while focusing on controlling the spread of the virus.
Guaranteeing the proper functioning of the single market. "We agreed that it is important to maintain the flow of cargo, including across borders, to ensure that essential goods and medical supplies reach our citizens", said the Croatian Minister in a statement after the meeting.
To this end, in her speech, the Commissioner Vălean, presented a list of measures supported by the Member States.
This will involve, for example, ensuring the free movement of workers in the transport sector while guaranteeing their health and safety - as recommended, for example, by several organisations representing the maritime transport sector (see EUROPE 12449/3) -, being flexible with regard to the rules on driving and rest periods for drivers, or setting up "green lanes", priority routes for goods being transported.
This latest decision was welcomed by the Chairs of the Parliament's Internal Market Committee, Petra De Sutter (Greens/EFA, Belgium) and Transport Committee, Karima Delli (Greens/EFA, France).
States which decide to apply such measures must notify the Commission in advance.
Act in a coordinated manner. National contact points will also be designated, the Commissioner announced, and the Twenty-Seven should continue to keep their counterparts and the EU informed of measures taken at national level and of those that prove particularly effective.
Ms Vălean assured that the Commission was committed to flexibility and said she "appreciates the commitment shown by Ministers in applying the principle of solidarity".
Any Member State imposing restrictions on the transport of goods, transport workers and passengers should only do so "for reasons of public health", she also said.
Ensuring financial margins. Finally, Mr Butković stressed the importance of finding solutions for the financial obligations of transport companies and operators.
"We need to give companies the financial margins they need to survive this crucial period", he said, ensuring that one company's solution should not become another company's problem. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)