Brussels, 24/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - French Transport Minister, Jean-Claude Gayssot announced on Wednesday that as a member of the Transport Council, he would vigorously oppose the project for opening up national rail transport to competition. The project was announced by the Commission earlier this week. The European Commissioner for Transport, Loyola de Palacio, presented a package of measures aimed at revitalising European railways by harmonising the European technical and safety standards as well as opening up the cabotage system to competition that will allow for international rail transporters to transport freight on national lines (see EUROPE 24 January page 8). Having met national rail workers unions, the Minister announced in a press release that he believed that safety and inter-operability aspects deserve some scrutiny if they demonstrated that they would effectively promote rail transport for both freight and passengers. He believed, however that the aspect on liberalisation of the cabotage system would be totally unacceptable.
France has already voiced its opposition to the liberalisation of this service during earlier discussions on the opening up to international competition by 2008. Belgium and France have both adopted a position on this issue but Belgium is now being pragmatic and is insisting on a strict framework for any future privatisation. A joint organisation of rail companies and users has already come out clearly in favour of competition in this sector (see Europe on 24 January page 9).