Brussels, 09/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the European Commissioner for Transport, Jacques Barrot, spelt out his commitment to reinforcing security and safety in all transport sectors: maritime, air and land. At a debate organised by Etienne Davignon's Friends of the Earth, he indicated that security was not "necessarily a problem of money" but of "behaviour" and this is the case notably for road safety and EU action on transport security. Similarly to his hearing (before being confirmed as European Commissioner), Barrrot provided assurances that he would not only ensure application of legislative measures taken by the Commission on this subject but that he also said that he would work to complete these measures. Therefore, in the area of air transport, Commissioner Barrrot is seeking to get the draft proposal on better informing passengers about airlines they fly with, adopted, which was announced following the Boeing accident on the Egyptian Flash Airlines. The Boeing crashed last January causing the deaths of 148 people (EUROPE 29 September). Barrot said that they did not expect to encounter any serious obstacles at the European Parliament or Council in getting this proposal adopted.
Mr Barrot highlighted the need to make a "huge research effort" in improving security and safety on transport, which would also demand funding. The Commissioner said that he was in favour of competition on the railways and indicated that this liberalisation is a "necessity" but had to be accompanied by respect for security and passenger rights. Barrot considers that historic railways should not be "afraid" of this liberalisation as they are capable of meeting the challenge.