Brussels, 03/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - A packed agenda will be awaiting the Transport Ministers of the EU when they meet in Council on Friday in Brussels. Surface transport will be at the top of it, as several political agreements and general guidelines are expected in this field, notably on the proposed decision modifying Community guidelines for trans-European transport networks (TETNs). The European Commission will also inform the Council of the state of play in negotiations with third countries in the air sector, especially the United States, with a view to the second round of negotiations on the creation of a common transatlantic airspace, to start in Brussels on 8 December (the first round having taken place in Washington on 1 October: see EUROPE of 4 October, p.12).
Surface transport
Political agreement is expected on the list of 29 priority projects for the TETNs, adopted on 1 October by the Commission (EUROPE of 2 October, p.6), following support expressed by Member States to the proposal made during the Transport Council on 9 October (EUROPE of 10 October, p.10). The outstanding issues relate to: - the scope of the concept of "sea motorways" (for the transport of goods or combined transport of passengers and goods), and the possibility of granting aid; - the relevance of the "declaration of European interest" (by which Member States commit to give priority to certain priority projects "of European interest"), which appears to have been challenged by certain delegations in that there already exists a classification of priority projects; - the possibility for the Commission to take steps in case of significant delays in the achievement of projects "of European interest"; - adding new projects to the priority list (the Presidency has apparently proposed the authorisation of additional new projects via the co-decision procedure). A political debate will be held on the European Growth Initiative, and especially the "Quick Start" programmes (designed to get certain priority projects off the ground more quickly: see EUROPE of 13 November, p.7). The Council should also reach political agreement on the proposed directive to harmonise driving restrictions for lorries on certain roads on weekends or bank holidays, and for which a general agreement seems to exist on the final draft of the text proposed by the Commission. Pending the first reading of Parliament, a general guideline on the proposed directive on the interoperability of European road electronic pricing systems is expected (EUROPE of 24 April). However, the Commission's provisions aiming to make the use of satellite location technologies more widespread as of 2012 has apparently not met with the approval of certain delegations, including Spain, which would prefer the system to be recommended and not obligatory. The Council will also hold an exploratory debate on the proposed directive on the taxation of lorries for the use of certain infrastructure (Eurovignette": see EUROPE of 24 July), adopt conclusion on the "package" of measures on road safety (see EUROPE of 22 October, p.8), and examine draft negotiation mandates to extend the ecopoints system regulating the transit of lorries through Austria to its neighbours (Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Switzerland).
Maritime transport
Pending Parliament's first reading, the Council is to reach a general guideline on the proposed regulation instituting an European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). However, several Member States are said to be reluctant to extend the Agency's competencies to the field of safety, allowing it, amongst other things, to assist the Commission in its inspection missions on the implementation of new safety measures planned by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO-. The Council will also agree on a general guideline on the proposed regulation to update rules on the re-registering of ships (see EUROPE of 7 August), given unanimity of opinion within Council on this dossier. Lastly, it will take note of a report on the state of play in work on the proposed directive obliging Member States to impose criminal sanctions in case of serious maritime pollution. The dossier is not "mature" enough for an agreement, as little progress has been noted since the Transport Council's debate of 9 October, during which most of the delegations expressed their opposition to introducing criminal sanctions under this proposal, and therefore under the first pillar (EUROPE of 10 October, p.11 and of 11 October, p.8).
Air transport
The Council should reach political agreement on the proposed regulation amending regulation 95/93 on common rules for the allocation of timetable slots in Community airports.