(L-R) François Bausch, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mobility and Public Works; Simonetta Sommaruga, Head of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication;
Credit: MMTP
On Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 February 2022, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mobility and Public Works, François Bausch, took part in an informal meeting at Le Bourget, Paris, with his European counterparts in charge of transport.
The French presidency proposed a very wide range of themes on which substantive exchanges took place between European political leaders. In particular, the presidency invited ministers to discuss the fundamental questions raised by the decarbonisation requirements of the transport sector. The ministers were thus able to discuss concretely the measures envisaged at national and European level to promote innovation and the deployment of new technologies. The focus in the context of road transport has obviously been on electromobility and autonomous and connected vehicles.
Minister Bausch has taken a stand in favor of the rapid deployment of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, an area in which Luxembourg has already acquired a certain lead in Europe.
Another very important aspect for the future of mobility in Europe concerns the European infrastructure programme trans-European transport network (TEN-T) through which Europe is currently equipping itself with a coherent, efficient and complete pan-European infrastructure. Minister Bausch defended above all the essential role that rail must play for continental connectivity. It also supported a proactive policy in favor of modal shift towards the least polluting modes of transport.
The French presidency also had social issues on the agenda. Ministers discussed ways to make employment in the transport sector more attractive to workers and ensure the competitiveness of European operators. Some speakers, including Minister Bausch, have, as in the past, condemned certain exploitative practices of transport workers, especially in the road sector but also in aviation. They demanded better implementation of European rules. Companies that operate on the basis of unacceptable social conditions not only directly harm the people in their service but also penalise honest employers by distorting competition. This aspect has an intra- and extra-European dimension.
Minister Bausch took advantage of this event to meet some of his colleagues, including the new German Federal Minister Volker Wissing. Minister Bausch also had a working dinner with his Austrian counterpart, Leonore Gewesseler, as well as a bilateral meeting with the Swiss Minister, Simonetta Sommaruga.
A next meeting at ministerial level is scheduled for 2 June 2022 in Luxembourg.
