The EU ‘Transport’ Council will meet, on Monday 28 September, in the presence of European Commissioner Adina Vălean for a new video conference, the first since the German Presidency took office last July.
At this meeting, German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer will present his draft emergency plan for ensuring the movement of goods within the EU in the event of a pandemic (see EUROPE 12510/19).
The German Presidency says it considers it crucial that the EU27 “draw on the experience gained during the Covid-19 pandemic” so that, in the future, critical transport infrastructure and services can be kept functional in the event of a crisis.
Ministers will therefore hold a policy debate on this subject. In particular, they will be called upon to decide on the need for this emergency plan to contain regulations and recommendations applicable at EU level.
They will also discuss the degree of involvement of government departments responsible for Health and Home Affairs in the preparation of such a plan.
The issue of control and coordination of passenger transport in the event of a pandemic is also expected to be addressed.
Conclusions in preparation
According to a note from the German Presidency, of which EUROPE has obtained a copy, the ministers could, in particular, call on the Commission to make a proposal on the basis of three areas of action, namely: maintaining freight transport operations, strengthening the autonomy of the sector and introducing exemptions.
The note envisages, inter alia, the creation of a European crisis management centre for the freight transport sector, activated in case of emergency and linked to national centres.
The report also contains recommendations for a uniform quarantine regime for the whole of the EU, in order, inter alia, to ensure border crossing for goods transport operations.
The document refers as well to the creation of a European regulatory framework establishing sector-specific exemptions that can be implemented in case of emergency. They would apply, for example, to night flight bans at airports or slots for the air sector, or to allow temporary extensions of train driving licences for the rail sector.
The Presidency has already indicated that draft EU Council conclusions on this plan are being prepared and that work on this text will continue in the working party “with a view to its swift adoption by the EU Council”.
Single European Sky
In a second step, the videoconference will also be an opportunity for the Commissioner for Transport to present to ministers her amended proposal for the recast of the Single European Sky Regulation (SES2+), unveiled earlier this week (see EUROPE 12565/1).
In particular, Ms Vălean is expected to detail a proposal for a regulation envisaged as part of the revision of SES2+ and aimed at amending the basic regulation of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
This amendment should enable EASA to be entrusted with the role of the Single European Sky Performance Review Body. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)