Brussels, 12/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 12 December the Transport Council adopted a report examining progress on the work at the Council on the draft regulation on responsibility of maritime passenger transporters and compensation for victims in accidents. The aim of this proposal, which is part of the third maritime packet, is to establish a uniform system of responsibility in Community territory. To this end, it is proposing the incorporation of provisions from the Athens Convention of 1974 on the subject and to extend their application from transport at sea within a single Member State, as well as to international and national inland waterways. Certain delegations consider, however, that the regime for liability established by the Athens Convention is not appropriate to inland waterways and suggest that they be excluded from the regulation's field of application. Other delegations believe that the consequences on travel prices, costs for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and journeys between islands and the mainland have not been sufficiently assessed by the Commission. They are calling for further studies on the matter. Some Member States consider that the actual wording in the provisions on compensation in the event of loss or damage to mobility or medical equipment should be strengthened, while others think that advance payments cannot be considered as a priori recognition of a transporter's responsibility and should be limited to covering events at sea alone. The opinion of the European Parliament is expected out in April 2007. (dt)