Press Release: 3352nd Council meeting Transport, Telecommunications and Energy – Brussels, 3 December 2014

Main results of the Council

SES II+ - Single European Sky: The Council reached a general approach on the two proposals of the SES II+ package: to speed up the implementation of the Single European Sky (SES proposal) and to amend rules for the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA proposal). The proposals are intended to make the European air transport system less fragmented and more competitive.

Maurizio Lupi, the Italian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, who chaired the meeting, said: “Today we gave a concrete response to the EU aviation community and to the EU citizens, who have been waiting for this proposal. We reached an important agreement on a proposal which should settle many issues member states have with the SES legislation and reset the implementation of the Single Sky initiative on a new and positive footing”.

Fourth railway package: Ministers took stock of progress on the proposals on market opening and stronger governance. They adopted a general approach on a proposal to repeal the current regulation on normalisation of accounts of railway undertakings, which has become obsolete.

Minister Lupi said: “After three semesters devoted only to the technical pillar of the fourth railway package, the Italian presidency has thoroughly addressed its political pillar. After a first policy debate last October in Luxemburg, we carried out extensive negotiations which allowed us to identify proposals to be made on all the main issues for the way forward. The Latvian presidency will therefore be in a position to finalise negotiations in the Council, paving the way for the final exchange with the European Parliament and, hopefully, the adoption of the whole package, as desired by the Parliament and by EU citizens and businesses”.

Investments in transport infrastructures: Ministers adopted a set of conclusions on transport infrastructure and the trans-European network.

Minister Lupi stated: “Investments in transport infrastructures and efficient networks are key to fostering growth and competitiveness, thus creating more and better jobs. With the conclusions adopted today, the Council unanimously sends a clear message on the enormous potential of infrastructure investments, in the context of the review of the Europe 2020 Strategy”.

• Primary Source

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/2285: Transport Council on 3 December 2014 in Brussels http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-2285_en.htm

ESO: Background information: Single European Sky: Council agrees its position http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-single-european-sky-council-agrees-its-position/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Transport infrastructure and the Trans European Network http://www.europeansources.info/record/council-conclusions-on-transport-infrastructure-and-the-trans-european-network/

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