7-8 December Transport Council

Date: 14/12/1995

TRANSPORT ministers reached a common position on plans to liberalise ground-handling at airports from the start of 1998, but with some derogations until 2003. Under the agreement, airlines would be allowed to run 'land-side' services at all airports from the start of 1998. Airports with more than a million passengers every year would be required to allow client airlines the chance to organise 'air-side' activities from the same date. All activities would be open to competition from the start of 1999 at EU airports processing at least three million passengers annually. Those handling two million would have to open up to competition from 2001. Airports with seasonal traffic of over two million passengers over a six-month period would have to liberalise from 1999. Exemptions could be granted for two years, with extension possible for a further two years with the approval of the Commission. There would be less stringent examination by the Commission of the maintenance of duopolies than of monopolies. Exemptions lasting three years could be granted for airports not operating monopolies or duopolies, but without the option of an extension. No further derogations would be possible after 2003. Germany and Austria voted against the deal.

PLANS were approved for a credit-card size driving licence carrying a magnetic strip. The new licences are optional, but member states will be able to introduce them from 1 July next year. In addition to the usual personal details, they will also carry a photograph of the bearer. Once final technical details have been worked out by Coreper (the Committee of Permanent Representatives), the plan should go through the Council of Ministers as an

A-point. The UK insisted that the licence should bear a clear mention of the nationality of the bearer. Its position was eventually supported by a majority of member states, on condition that the nationality was only printed on the back and with the written agreement of the licensee.

OVER lunch on the first day, Council discussed civil aviation relations between the EU and US. Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock claimed the debate was moving his way, with growing recognition that there was economic justification for a mandate for the Commission, of negotiating on behalf of all 15 member states. A Commission report suggested it should be given a mandate to cover market access controls, ownership and capital questions, anti-trust and competition rules, state aids, availability of slots, rules on computer reservation systems and on airlines' economic and technical fitness to operate.

MINISTERS expressed satisfaction with the recent conclusions of the International Maritime Organisation on new standards for roll-on roll-off ferries. Nordic countries were reportedly unhappy at the lack of clarity on safe water depths on car decks. The Commission expressed its regret that the agreement made no reference to 'black boxes' for ferries to record voyage data.

TWO negotiating mandates were adopted on road transport links with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Proposed transit arrangements with Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria are aimed at improving road transit links between Greece and the rest of the EU. The other mandate will cover non-scheduled road passenger services between Eastern Europe and the EU.

CONCLUSIONS were adopted on the organisation of the internal inland waterways' market, calling for continued work by the Commission and member states.

THERE were lengthy discussions on the workings of a regulation on cabotage for maritime shipping. Of most significance was Denmark's unsuccessful attempt to have vessels on its second register included among those allowed to benefit from cabotage rights during the latter stages of the regulation.

AGREEMENT was reached on a resolution on short sea shipping, although ministers could not adopt it formally as certain procedural issues must still be agreed.

INITIAL talks were held on a draft directive on safety equipment to be carried on maritime vessels.

MINISTERS discussed a proposal to extend an existing aid scheme for combined transport systems to the end of 1997.