Despite a relatively limited legislative agenda, the EU’s transport ministers, meeting in Luxembourg on Monday 8 June, will be called upon to examine a wide range of issues.
Company fleets. Early this morning, ministers will examine a progress report on the proposal for the greening of corporate fleets, one of the flagship measures of the ‘automotive package’. The forthcoming negotiations on this text promise to be tough, as several Member States could join the appeal launched on 18 May against certain aspects of the text (see EUROPE 13869/3). According to our information, Germany could tip the balance by contributing to the formation of a blocking minority.
Other capitals, without questioning the objective of the text, are adopting a ‘cautious’ approach. Limiting national financial support to certain categories of vehicle raises questions about respect for Member States’ remits. Some delegations are concerned about the scope of the text, which they consider could go beyond the remits attributed to the European Union.
Work on this dossier should continue in the autumn, under the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Decarbonisation. Ministers will then hold an exchange of views on decarbonising the transport sector by 2030. The Presidency intends to place this discussion in the wider context of future European climate legislation and the ongoing review of several transport-related texts arising from the ‘Green Deal’.
Maritime strategies. The approval of conclusions on the EU ports strategy (see EUROPE 13846/3) and the maritime industrial strategy (see EUROPE 13821/4, 13882/10) should generate greater consensus. Some Member States, including Sweden, should advocate taking greater account of the specific characteristics of Europe’s different sea basins.
Conflict in the Middle East. The impact of the conflict in the Gulf region on the transport and energy sectors is also on the agenda. Following a ministerial videoconference on 21 April (see EUROPE 13852/8), ministers will review developments with the European Commission.
Air passengers. Finally, negotiations on air passenger rights (see EUROPE 13880/16) are due to be added to the agenda on Monday. Technical discussions were continuing on Friday 5 June. However, no meeting is scheduled in Luxembourg as part of the conciliation process, according to a senior European official. (Original version in French by Juliette Verdes)