On Friday 1 January, the European Commission activated its website dedicated to the European Year of Rail 2021 (see EUROPE 12625/41). Some 20 activities programmed under this initiative are listed there.
Debates, training, conferences, exhibitions, competitions... This series of thematic events will begin on 25 January with the presentation of the European Railway Award. It will end in May 2022 with the closing of a German exhibition on the history of rail design.
“The Commission's legislative agenda will also reflect the European Year of Rail with proposals on a new rail industrial partnership, better links for rail with other modes of transport, and making freight transport more sustainable overall”, the Commission said in a press release published on Monday 4 January.
An official launching event between the Commission and the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU (which has just taken office - see EUROPE 12610/2) is also planned for 29 March. It is expected to take place in Lisbon, says the new Presidency in its programme.
It states that it is determined to “foster the attractiveness of rail”. According to the provisional calendar of EU Council meetings for the first half of 2021, Lisbon is expected to submit conclusions on rail transport in the EU for the approval of EU ministers - possibly in June this year.
Only 11% of goods currently transported in the Union are transported by rail, according to the Commission.
To consult the website of theEuropean Year of Rail 2021: http://bit.ly/3pKVyFG and the Portuguese Presidency programme: https://bit.ly/38Xm0oS (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)