Brussels, 25/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) adopted the Council common position on the second rail package without debate on Wednesday morning. This means that the Agriculture Council that started on Wednesday to formally adopt, without debate, the common position drafted by the 27/28 March Transport Council. It foresees opening up international rail freight to competition as from 1 January 2006 (see EUROPE of 29 March, p.11). The EP may give its opinion in second reading of the package in September 2003.
The second rail package comprises a draft directive on developing EU rail, a draft directive on rail safety, a draft regulation establishing the European Rail Agency and a draft directive on the interoperability of trans-European rail networks.