Brussels, 21/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commissioner for Transport, Loyola de Palacio, turned to several issues under discussion, on Thursday, when speaking to the European Parliament's Committee on Regional Policy and Transport. She provided the following details:
ICAO/hushkits: the Commissioner said that she was expecting an agreement within the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in September on new standards for aircraft noise ("Chapter IV") (also see EUROPE of 19 April, p.11). Should it succeed, the EU could amend its regulation that since May 2000, prohibits registration in Europe of aircraft equipped with noise-reducers, or hushkits. This legislation is the subject of a dispute settlement procedure with the United States at the ICAO.
"There is an agreement in principle on which we are working with the Americans", said Ms. de Palacio, recalling the points under discussion: 1) introduction of a chapter IV standards providing for a reduction in noise of 10 db; 2) a timetable for eliminating aircraft that do not meet the standards from the date when category IV standards take effect, "in 2004"; 3) common rules for the re-qualification of Chapter III aircraft; 4) rules enabling different operational limits to be set for noise in certain airports. Talks are moving towards a combination of the system allowing airports individually to set limits, desired by the Americans, and a regional system, desired by the Europeans, "as we cannot let all airports do as they please", said the Commissioner. "If these details are resolved, we would be ready for an agreement", and "as long as there is no agreement, the hushkit regulation remains in force", Ms. de Palacio pointed out.
Single sky/Gibraltar: several MEPs asked the Commission to present its proposal on the creation of a "single European sky", which it decided not to adopt while waiting for a resolution to the conflict between the United Kingdom and Spain on implementing European rules to the airport in Gibraltar. "Better let the Council itself find a solution and begin to discuss this proposal", said, for example, the CDU member Georg Jarzembowski. "I prefer to keep the political pressure upstream, rather than handing the problem to the Ministers of transport, who are not competent for it", replied Commissioner de Palacio.
State aid to Sabena: The Commissioner said that she was waiting to see the outcome of Sabena's general assembly on 26 June. Should the Belgian State decide to plough more capital into the Belgian airline company, it will have to notify the Commission, and then "the Commission could be ready to initiate proceedings" on the re-capitalization plan.
Liberalization of public transport: the MEPs called on the Commissioner to begin to review her proposal for a regulated opening to competition of public transport, on which Parliament should vote on first reading in September. Some 500 amendments to the Erik Meijer Report (Dutch, GUE/NGL), have been tabled, British Labour MEP Brian Simpson emphasized. The Commission is prepared to make proposals after voting in the EP and Council, notably to review the concession periods granted to transport companies, the Commissioner replied.
Shipping: the Commissioner hoped that the EP and Council would be able begin the conciliation procedure in July already over the first package of measures intended to enhance shipping safety ("Erika I"). "On Wednesday, I met Belgian Transport Minister, Isabelle Durant, who reaffirmed the determination of the Belgian Presidency to move forward on this issue", said the Commissioner.