Meeting in Nicosia, the Cypriot capital, on Wednesday 29 April, the EU27 Transport Ministers mainly discussed long-term measures for the rail and maritime sectors (see EUROPE 13857/6). But the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz once again came up for discussion.
“The Cyprus Presidency [of the Council of the EU, editor's note] has placed a great deal of emphasis on autonomy. And given the geopolitical developments of the last few months, we believe that this has a direct impact on the rail sector”, said the Cypriot Minister of Transport, Alexis Vafeades, ahead of the meeting.
Another priority of the Cyprus Presidency, the maritime sector was the subject of discussions within the framework of the EU Ports Strategy (see EUROPE 13846/3) and the maritime industrial strategy. In addition, the situation of seafarers was on the agenda of an EU Council of Maritime Affairs Ministers and forms the main element of the ‘Nicosia Declaration’ (see other news).
Rail interconnectivity. The ministers exchanged views on the implementation of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). This harmonised system of digital signalling and speed control eliminates technical barriers at borders and guarantees the interoperability of national networks. But professionals in the sector are still encountering difficulties on the ground, particularly with regard to certification and authorisation systems for railway equipment and personnel. In particular, the Member States have asked for this certification system to be faster for the introduction of new wagons.
“We need ERTMS more than ever, to guarantee the safety of rail lines and increase their capacity”, insisted the European Commissioner for Transport, Apóstolos Tzitzikóstas. It will be deployed by the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), whose remit will be reviewed in the third quarter of 2026. All the ministers welcomed the review of the agency’s role, but differences of opinion persist: several Member States are in favour of strengthening the ERA’s resources, while others remain wary of an additional transfer of national powers.
Maritime strategies. The ministers highlighted the role of ports in trade flows, energy supply and the security of the continent. They also stressed the need to make them more resistant to cyber threats and to connect them better to terrestrial networks. Some capitals have called for a level playing field between large and small ports, and for a balanced distribution of investment.
In this context, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU welcomed the Commission’s recent communications on the EU Ports Strategy and Industrial Maritime Strategy. The work should culminate in the adoption of conclusions at the next ‘Transport’ Council, scheduled for 8 June in Luxembourg.
Strait of Hormuz. While the meeting was primarily an opportunity to make progress on long-term strategies, “the current crisis in the Middle East is overshadowing all debates on transport, and today was no exception”, admitted Commissioner Tzitzikóstas.
The ministers once again discussed the measures set out in the ‘AccelerateEU’ plan presented by the European Commission on 22 April (see EUROPE 13854/2). The European executive will publish guidelines next week aimed at clarifying, in particular, the possibilities for flexibility already provided for in the European regulatory framework for aviation, the Commissioner pointed out.
Should the situation worsen, however, he says he is prepared to propose “targeted and temporary” measures. Starting next week, weekly meetings will be held between transport experts within the European Commission to monitor developments in the situation. (Original version in French by Juliette Verdes)