Brussels, 22/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - Whilst supporting the creation of a specific Community framework, “which is all the more vital as there are working ports in 20 of the 25 Member States of the EU”, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) rejects the proposed directive on access to the port services market, because it “brings with it the risk of excessive regulation” of these markets. According to the Committee, this proposal violates the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, and does not take account of the fact that “competition already exists between European ports”. This was the main thrust of the opinion by Rolf Harlinghausen (EPP, Germany), adopted by the April plenary. In particular, the Committee fears that the adoption of the directive will lead to the reduction of the number of port service providers in Europe, it explains in a press release, as service providers from ports outside the EU could “get ahead in calls for tender by offering cheaper rates”. The CoR also feels that service providers could be forced to reduce their investments, “as the directive creates uncertainty about the duration of contracts and payments”. The directive may, therefore, be “an obstacle to boosting the growth and efficiency of ports and port services”, the Committee fears.