Major European stakeholders gathered together at the Expo 2015 in Milan today to discuss the promotion of rail transport in Europe.

Luxembourg Minister of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, François Bausch, joined representatives of the European Commission, Council and European Parliament, who will be involved in political negotiations on the subject at a trialogue meeting taking place in Strasbourg this Friday 30 October 2015.

In his speech at the conference, organised by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), Minister Bausch reiterated his thanks to the Latvian Presidency, held from January to June 2015, for finalising negotiations on the technical pillar. This factor allowed the Presidency to gain a clear focus on governance and public service contracts, working closely with Latvia and the Netherlands.

"The negotiations with the European Parliament representatives will begin in November 2015 and I am confident we can get a final political agreement on the package in March 2016, after that of the Council which was found unaninmously in favour of the text in the month of October," stated Minister Bausch. "We found a pragmatic solution on all the texts which take into account the specifics of the different Member States and which supports the promotion of rail in Europe particularly in relation to road transport."

He continued: "We have clearly opted not for an ideological approach but one focused on results. By adapting the rules to national specificities, we knew to eliminate all discrimination and create equal conditions for operators. The rail will improve in qualitative and ecological terms".

Françoi Bausch called for technical harmonisation and increased investments in rail infastructure which are important for the optimisation of service and quality of European rail.

The Luxembourg Presidency has stated its intention to promote efficient, safe, reliable, accessible and socially responsible mobility, in accordance with the development of a sustainable, innovative transport industry which generates quality jobs.

At the end of its Presidency, in December 2015, Luxembourg is due to initiate a debate on the social aspects of road transport, with Minister Bausch citing a European legal framework as crucial in this regard.

 

Photo by MDDI (Minister of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, François Bausch)