The series of thematic conferences organised by the German Ministry of Transport in the framework of the German EU Council Presidency (see EUROPE 12555/12) continued on Monday 21 September with a conference on rail.
This led to the adoption of a declaration, known as the “Berlin Declaration”, on the future of rail freight in the EU.
The EU transport ministers commit themselves to promote international rail freight transport and to further strengthen rail freight corridors.
In this respect, they say that it is useful, in particular, to support rail freight operators to enable them to adapt better to market requirements or to encourage as well infrastructure managers to develop virtual European traffic management by establishing cooperation between the various national traffic management centres.
Considering rail freight as one of the most environmentally friendly modes of freight transport, they advocate a level playing field for all modes of transport and push for a further greening of the railways by switching to carbon-neutral energy sources. They also stress the importance of innovation in the field of rail freight.
The Sector Statement Group (SSG), an organisation bringing together representatives of the various branches that make up the railway sector, reacted very positively to this statement.
“We notably welcome the clear commitment of the Member States to agree on a migration strategy for Digital Automatic Coupling and the recognition of the importance of further digitalisation of infrastructure networks, capacity management and allocation”, said the members of the SSG.
“With today’s Berlin Declaration we have made a clear commitment to efficient and modern rail freight transport in Europe”, said the German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)