Brussels, 25/02/2022 (Agence Europe) – The EU Council approved, on Thursday 24 February, the extension, until 30 June 2022, of the measures that allow Member States to defer, reduce or waive the charges owed to them by rail operators, while ensuring a timely refund for infrastructure providers. These measures came into force on 7 October 2020, in order to limit the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the sector. In view of the uncertain developments in the health crisis, the EU Council also approved the renewal, until 31 December 2023, of the Commission’s powers to further extend these measures - if necessary - by means of delegated acts. MEPs voted in favour of both issues in plenary last 14 February (see EUROPE 12891/18). (TM)