MEPs on the European Parliament Committee on Transport had a brief exchange on Monday 10 October on the EU-Ukraine and EU-Moldova agreements on road freight transport (see EUROPE 12927/5).
These two agreements, already in force due to the emergency created by Russia’s war of invasion Ukraine, are intended to replace the existing bilateral agreements and facilitate, through market liberalisation, the use of alternative road transport.
In addition, the agreements include provisions to simplify - or eliminate - applications for international driving licences or new documents for Ukrainian truck drivers.
The entry into force of these agreements has already led to “increased exports from Ukraine to the EU, to third countries, and also from the EU to Ukraine and Moldova”, commented the European Commission.
While the agreements were welcomed by MEPs, Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar (S&D, Portuguese) called on the Commission to better inform the European Parliament about the ongoing work on this matter with the EU Council.
Both agreements have yet to be formally adopted by the European Parliament. As such, “we ask the Parliament to approve the conclusion of both agreements”, said Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar.
The deadline for tabling amendments is 12 October. The final vote is expected to take place at the next session in Strasbourg, which will take place from 17 to 20 October. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)