Brussels, 27/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - Following the agreement of 23 November on the financing for the satellite radio navigation system Galileo (see EUROPE 9550), the EU transport ministers, who are to meet on 29-30 November in Brussels, are due to adopt conclusions in which they will tackle issues to do with the implementation of the programme, ownership of the system and public procurement. In order to make more rapid progress, the EU27 will deal with these issues at lunch, before the session proper on transport, which will commence on the afternoon of Thursday 29 November. The ministers are also due to adopt conclusions on Thursday on the action plan for freight transport logistics presented by the European Commission in October (see EUROPE 9526). Also on Thursday, the Council will hold a public debate on the strategy for sustainable development.
Friday will be mainly devoted to maritime and terrestrial transport. Before lunch, which will be devoted to the inclusion of civil aviation in the European greenhouse gas emission trading scheme (ETS), the ministers are due to arrive at a political agreement on two of the seven proposals in the 3rd maritime package, on inspections and visits to vessels, and on the liability of carriers of passengers by sea and inland waterways (see EUROPE 9414). Several issues need to be resolved in the course of the public deliberation on the latest proposal. The ministers need to decide, among other things, on the scope of the regulation (in contrast to the Commission, the member states want to exclude inland waterways from the scope of the regulation) and limitations on carrier liability (in particular in cases of personal injury to passengers). On the subject of terrestrial transport, the Council is due to arrive at political agreements on the three legislative proposals concerning safety and interoperability on Community railways (the draft directive on safety on the Community's railways, the draft regulation establishing a European Railway Agency, and the draft directive on the interoperability of the European railway system). The ministers are also due to take note of the state of play on the proposal for a regulation on the conditions to be complied with to pursue the occupation of road transport operator and on that harmonising access to the international road haulage market. Another political agreement is likely to be reached in the field of aviation on the draft regulation establishing common rules for the operation of air transport services. A general orientation on the proposal on airport charges is also expected. The transport ministers are also due to adopt the negotiation mandate requested by the Commission in 2004 with a view to concluding a general air service agreement with Jordan. Finally, the Council should authorise the Commission to open negotiations with the ICAO on aviation safety audits. (A.By.)