The French Presidency of the EU Council, whose term of office began on 1 January 2022, has presented its priorities in the field of transport. In this domain, work will focus on the ‘Fit for 55’ package presented by the Commission on 15 July 2021, which should enable a 55% reduction in net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the EU by 2030 (see EUROPE 12762/1).
Specifically, the French Presidency of the EU Council will continue the work started by the Slovenian Presidency on the deployment of alternative fuel infrastructures (see EUROPE 12850/5). The adoption of renewable fuels in maritime transport (‘FuelEU Maritime’) (see EUROPE 12762/7) and aviation (‘ReFuelEU Aviation’) (see EUROPE 12850/4) will also be a priority.
In addition, the first negotiations on the revision of the guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) will be conducted under the French Presidency of the EU Council (see EUROPE 12841/16).
The French Presidency will also begin work on proposals for revision of the Directive on compliance with flag State requirements, the Directive on port State control and the Directive on the investigation of maritime accidents. During its term of office, it is also expected to submit proposals on the decarbonisation of ships and the creation of a ship emission reduction zone in the Mediterranean to the International Maritime Organization.
Finally, France also announced that discussions on the ‘Single European Sky’ dossier (see EUROPE 12845/10) will continue, as will the negotiation of air agreements with third countries.
See the programme for the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union: https://bit.ly/3pUAtLM (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)