29/01/2021 (Agence Europe) – A first interinstitutional meeting on the ‘Eurovignette’ Directive on user chargers for heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures (see EUROPE 12637/10) was held on Friday 29 January in a cordial atmosphere, a European source told EUROPE. In spite of their fundamentally opposed positions (see EUROPE 12626/7, 12026/12), the co-legislators expressed their willingness to compromise. However, the discussions are expected to be “intense and long”, French MEP Dominique Riquet (Renew Europe) summarised in a tweet. It will probably be difficult to reach an agreement by July, as is hoping the Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council (see EUROPE 12644/11). The latter has very limited room for manoeuvre to make concessions to MEPs. The Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean, who was present at the meeting, did not take a position on either side. (AC)