Brussels, 27/08/2007 (Agence Europe) - Far from making transport its top priority, the Portuguese EU Council Presidency will do its best to conclude all the work begun by the German EU Presidency in this sector, placing emphasis on maritime transport. At two conferences on maritime issues scheduled to be held in Portugal in October, the Presidency will tackle the theme of the “motorways of the sea”, logistics and maritime policy, to be the subject of a Commission communication on 17 October. It will also seek to conclude the third maritime package despite the fact that, according to the Portuguese minister for public works, transport and telecommunications, Mario Lino, who set out his priorities to the European Parliament transport committee at the last plenary session in Strasbourg (9-12 July), the Presidency believes it will only be able to reach an agreement on two of the four dossiers to be addressed (inquiries after accidents and flag State obligations). The Presidency will also focus on air safety and on continuing liberalisation of air traffic. The debate on Galileo will begin in October, once the Commission has submitted detailed alternative proposals for financing the programme.
With regards air transport, Mr Lino said the Presidency would work towards “consolidating liberalisation”, especially with the negotiation of air agreements with China and Canada (see EUROPE 9452). The Presidency also hopes to reach agreement, in conciliation, on the important regulation on common air security rules (see EUROPE 9034). By tackling this issue as soon as work resumes after the summer break (the first trilogue is scheduled for 4 September), the Council will have to battle it out with the Parliament on the financing rules for safety measures. Conciliation procedure could begin in October. At the level of external relations, Mr Lino welcomed the fact that there coordination between member states was good for preparing the meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) General Assembly. During this meeting, to be held from 18 September in Montreal, ICAO members will also discuss the inclusion of civil aviation in the greenhouse gas Emissions Trading System (ETS). The Presidency considers this a necessity, on condition that the system is not detrimental to competition. If participants do not reach an agreement at this stage, EU member states will be free to take unilateral commitments in favour of emissions reduction.
Except for work on the third maritime package, a political agreement appears possible in the maritime sector on at least two of the four dossiers (the proposal for a directive on the fundamental principles governing investigations into accidents that was the subject of an assessment report during the last Transport Council and the proposal for a directive concerning flat State obligations). Member states will continue discussion on these matters. The Presidency is organising two conferences on motorways of the sea in Alcantara on 23 October, and the day before in Lisbon on maritime policy. The Lisbon conference will come shortly after the publication, on 17 October, of a series of Commission communications on the future European Maritime Policy. Communications cover port policy, the motorways of the sea and the common maritime area. The Presidency will examine the environmental aspects, tackling the question of emissions from sea-going vessels. According to Mr Lino, the latter must be discussed within the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
On the subject of overland transport, the Presidency will open a debate on logistics and on urban transport policy, to be the focus of the conference that it is to hold in Lisbon on 23 October. More specifically, in the rail transport sector, the last obstacles to the free circulation of rolling stock should be lifted.
Finally, on Galileo, which is high on the agenda of the first Transport Council in October, Mr Lino hopes the European Commission will define a clear mandate and a clear programme by September, in which it sets out precise financing arrangements, management details and the participation of member states. The Council will take its decision on the basis of this mandate. Mr Lino reaffirmed the major strategic, economic and political importance of the project as well as the need to have additional public funding. (aby)