Brussels, 18/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is proposing to the EU Council that the European Union signs a "Transport" protocol from the Alpine Convention, concluded in May 2000 between Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia and the EU.
Adopted in the framework of the "Convention on the protection of the Alps" from 1991, this non-binding protocol foresees mechanisms for the consultation and cooperation between administrations, in terms of infrastructure and taxation, for example. Its main aim is to avoid `the anarchic construction of new road infrastructures to the detriment of the environment, a particularly sensitive issue for Austria and Switzerland.
In taking part in the negotiations, the European Commission tried to ensure a balance between the European aims in terms of the environment and mobility, as well as between the definition of priority transeuropean networks and national infrastructure projects. All this, while aiming to limit the development of road transport in the region, the Alpine Convention protocol allows derogations. It is thus that France was able to announced its intention to build two motorways in the region.
The transport protocol was already signed by most of the contractual parties, during the ministerial meeting that took place in Lucerne Switzerland, on the 30 and 31 October 2000, but the European ratification process has been delayed for administrative reasons.
"The rapid signing and implementation of the transport protocol of the Alpine Convention will support the efforts agreed upon by the Union in the framework of its transport policy to satisfy the people's expectations in this region", assured the European Commissioner for Transport, Loyola de Palacio, in a Communiqué.
The issue of traffic in the Alps and the development of railways, will be one of the core points of the Commission White Paper on EU Transport policy expected for the month of March. Let us recall that road traffic through the Alps is presently regulated by agreements with Switzerland and by the ecopoints system in Austria.