Transport Council (Hansard, 18 March 1993)

§ Mr. MacGregor

The Transport Council met in Brussels on 15 March. The Council agreed conclusions on external aviation relations, reached political agreement on air traffic control equipment and confirmed its agreement to the two-year infrastructure programme at the October 1992 Council, with a slightly increased budget. My right hon. Friend Lord Caithness and I attended on behalf of the United Kingdom.

The Council had a first discussion of the Commission's whtie paper on a common transport policy. Themes were the need to ensure effective liberalisation in the transport sector, infrastructure, cost recovery, transport safety, and the environment.

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The Commission's communication on maritime safety for which the United Kingdom pressed strongly for some time, was welcomed by the Council. The central issues of improved implementation of International Maritime Organisation standards and a stricter line on sub-standard shipping were widely supported. There was also support for action in training, environmental protection and vessel traffic service, which facilitate control of coastal traffic.

The Council confirmed the text of the draft regulation on EC finance for transport infrastructure, which followed political agreement at the October 1992 Council, with an increased two-year budget of 325 mecu. The Council agreed that the presidency should now contact the European Parliament to commence the conciliation procedure requested by the Parliament.

The Council discussed the Commission's proposals for trans-European networks for combined transport, roads and inland waterways. It agreed that further work on the proposals would be undertaken by COREPER for ministerial decision at the June Council.

The Council agreed conclusions emphasising member states' continuing responsibilities for bilateral relations in aviation.

It was agreed to set up a Council working group to consider the practical implications of conducting any future negotiations at Community level.

Political agreement was reached on a directive on the harmonisation of air traffic control equipment which will give the force of Community law to air traffic control equipment standards developed by Eurocontrol. Formal adoption depends on receipt of the European Parliament's opinion.

The presidency reported on the work of the working group on the Commission's proposals on airline computer reservation systems.

There was majority support for building on the UK presidency's proposals last year on national road user charges on heavy lorries.

The Council agreed that the signing of the transport agreement with Slovenia should take place at the same time as the signing of the trade and co-operation agreement and the financial protocol. The transport agreement will now be put to the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Council.

The Commission outlined its aim of negotiating liberal road transport agreements with third countries, bearing in mind the economic situation of the Community's transport industry. We argued that in this field as in aviation the rights of member states under existing bilaterals should not be prejudiced.