Brussels, 16/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - On the sidelines of the Transport Council in Luxembourg on Friday 13 June, the French secretary of Sstate for transport, Dominique Bussereau, said that he had met the Italian postulant for the post of European commissioner for transport, Antonio Tajani. According to Bussereau, Tajani's view on transport policy is, on a great many points, close to that of his French predecessor, Jacques Barrot. When asked by journalists, Bussereau opined that, for the French, the current oil crisis was confirmation of the “need to change our behaviour” and to try to put a new transport policy in place. The French Presidency, which begins its term of office on 1 July, will, then, concentrate its efforts on two main priorities: “green” transport and transport safety. Green transport: the informal transport ministers' meeting in La Rochelle on 1-2 September will focus on the greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme (ETS), the purchase of clean vehicles (see related article) and, in air transport, putting in place the “Single Sky” package, which seeks to modernise air traffic management in Europe. In addition, following the agreement announced on 13 June by the British and Irish transport ministers on the first Functional Airspace Block (FAB), the establishment of the second FAB (out of seven) is expected to be endorsed by the signing of an agreement by France, Germany, Switzerland and the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) at the Bordeaux air summit (15-19 November). Transport safety: France will continue consideration of the third maritime package, Erika III, in particular, the last two proposals on the civil responsibility of vessel owners and the responsibility of flag states. Furthermore, the directive on the cross-border prosecution of traffic offences (see EUROPE 9626) and improving the internal market (continuing consideration of the road package and the Single Sky package) and Galileo will be discussed by transport ministers in their various meetings. Apart from the informal ministerial meeting in La Rochelle and the air summit in Bordeaux, Paris plans to hold two Transport Councils in October and December, and a road safety day will take place in Paris on 13 October. (A.By./transl.rt)