Brussels, 23/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - Although it approved the decision of the latest Transport Council (7-8 June) to repeal regulation 954/79 on the ratification of the UN Convention on a code of conduct for Liner Conferences, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) criticised the European Commission's handling of the liner conferences issue over recent years. In its opinion, drawn up by Anna Bredima-Savopoulou (Employers' Group, Greece), and adopted on 12 July, the Committee noted that, by acting unilaterally in repealing the system of maritime conferences in Europe, “the Commission has proceeded unilaterally to a de-regulation in the liner trades, ignoring the international repercussions of its action”.
In 2005, the Commission decided to do away with the conference system (group of maritime carriers) which, being able under the terms of Article 81 of regulation 4056/86 to jointly set prices and capacities, were not subject to competition rules (se EUROP E9096). The Committee criticises the Commission for disregarding the repeated calls of the European Parliament and the EESC to consult with other bodies with a view to establishing an international regime in liner trades. Drawing attention in its opinion to the concerns expressed by the Asian ship-owners Forum, the Committee pointed out that the lack of an EU policy was at odds with the renewed Lisbon Strategy on the international competitiveness of EU companies. (aby)