On Thursday 8 October, the European Parliament adopted, under the urgency procedure, the two legislative proposals that will enable the security authority responsible for the rail link between France and the United Kingdom to retain its prerogatives once the post-Brexit transition period is over.
These two texts, detailed previously in our columns (see EUROPE 12549/9), are intended to ensure that the rules for the entire tunnel infrastructure, currently in force, are maintained once the United Kingdom has third country status.
MEPs first adopted, by 687 votes in favour, 3 against and 4 abstentions, the decision allowing France to negotiate an agreement supplementing its bilateral treaty with the UK on the operation of the cross-Channel fixed link.
They then supported, by 687 votes in favour, 4 against and 4 abstentions, the regulation to amend the European Railway Safety Directive (2016/798).
As the amendments adopted by Parliament correspond to the EU Council’s position (see EUROPE 12556/17), the EU Council will only have to formally adopt its position at first reading.
If no agreement is reached by 1 January 2021, the British and French national safety authorities will each have authority over one half of the tunnel. EU regulations would then only apply in the French part of the tunnel. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)