Eu Ministers Fail To Agree Conclusions On 'greening' Transport

摘要

The EU's transport ministers failed to reach an agreement on conclusions on the 'greening transport' package presented by the European Commission on 8 July (greening all modes of transport, revision of the Eurovignette Directive and reduction of railway noise). The text was on the agenda of the Transport Council, which took place on 9 October in Luxembourg. The issue has been postponed to the next session, scheduled for 9 December in Brussels. According to an expert, several del- egations expressed their reluctance on one aspect or another of the draft presented by the French EU Presidency. Spain was the most virulent in its criticism. To be adopted, the Council's conclusions must be supported by all member states. The draft submitted to ministers calls on the Commission to present, as soon as possible, proposals to allow the inter-nalisation of external costs in all modes of transport. Inland waterways and railway noise are targeted in particular. The text also sets out the definition of more ambitious goals on CO_2, "if necessary".