As Germany took over the rotating Presidency of the EU Council on 1 July, German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer spoke to MEPs on the Transport Committee (TRAN) on Monday 13 July about his priorities for the next six months.
These priorities had already been detailed a few weeks ago from the German capital (see EUROPE 12510/19). At the time, Mr Scheuer indicated that he wanted to draw up a “European emergency plan” for the cross-border movement of goods in the event of a pandemic, and to make a “bold proposal” on the delicate issue of the Eurovignette and alternative fuels.
In addition to these points, on Monday, before the MEPs, the minister also stressed the progress expected in the rail sector. The German Presidency, he said, would work to strengthen rail freight and “make passenger transport by train increasingly attractive”.
On the subject of freight, Andreas Scheuer advocated, among other things, the implementation of “innovative solutions”, mentioning, for example, “the introduction of digital European solutions for everything relating to European Rail Traffic Management Systems (ERTMS)”.
On passenger transport, he said that Germany wanted to propose a Trans Europe Express, a railway network connecting the major European cities.
Asked about the deployment of night trains in the EU, the German minister moreover considered that “projects in this area should still be profitable”.
Year of Rail
The issue of the revision of the Regulation on rail passengers’ rights and obligations (1371/2007), still blocked at the trilogue stage (see EUROPE 12513/14), was also addressed.
Refusing to “impose exaggerated conditions on transport companies”, which are currently struggling, Mr Scheuer assured that the Presidency would ensure that a solution guaranteeing “a balance between the interests of passengers and those of companies” is found.
Finally, he undertook to use the next six months to prepare for the European Year of Rail, which is scheduled to begin on 1 January 2021 (see EUROPE 12512/9).
“We cannot declare a European Year of Rail without a clear roadmap”, said Karima Delli (Greens/EFA, France), Chair of the TRAN Committee. She pointed out that rail freight (see EUROPE 12496/18) and the relaunch of night trains are two of her main concerns.
Criticism
While the German initiatives were on the whole well received by the majority of the political groups, the Minister’s speech was not exempt from criticism.
“For my group, it is of crucial importance that we do not forget the social dimension, which I think you did, to some extent, in your introduction: you did not mention workers one single time”, lamented S&D coordinator Johan Danielsson (Sweden).
He called on the German Presidency to ensure that the sector’s competitiveness is not based on low wages and poor working conditions for its employees.
Several criticisms were also levelled at Mr Scheuer by Greens/EFA coordinator Jutta Paulus (Germany).
“We know that you consider the internal combustion engine to be one of the most efficient means of transport”, she told the minister, questioning the compatibility of such a position with the EU’s climate ambitions.
“European engineers must continue to work on internal combustion engines to make them less polluting”, he replied.
Andreas Scheuer also announced a number of dedicated meetings: an informal meeting of transport ministers in October, EU Councils on 28 September and 8 December, and various thematic summits. The first, devoted to the air sector, is scheduled for 23 July. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)