Transport and telecommunications

Transport

On 8 July 2008, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a Directive designed to encourage Member States to apply a differential charging policy to improve the efficiency and environmental performance of goods carriage by road (Eurovignette). The purpose of this proposal is to adapt the charging framework for road transport to allow Member States to calculate and adjust tolls and charges based on external costs through the application of ‘user pays’ and ‘polluter pays’ principles. Discussions are continuing under the Czech Presidency.

On 16 December 2008, the Commission presented a communication entitledAction Plan for the Deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in Europe.
The principle of Intelligent Transport Systems consists of applying information and communication technology solutions to the various modes of transport in order to improve safety and the management of motorway traffic, as well as reduce CO2 emissions. The action plan, which is part of the initiative to make transport activities less damaging to the environment, aims to speed up the dissemination of such systems in the road transport industry and accelerate interfaces with other modes of transport. Efficiently coordinating the use of Intelligent Transport Systems and services in the Member States is also addressed in the action plan, as this will accelerate their deployment throughout Europe. This topic was central to the discussions held during the informal meeting of Transport Ministers on 30 April in Litomerice (Czech Republic) and it should be on the agenda of the Swedish Presidency.

Discussions are also underway within the European Council to adopt a proposal for a Regulation addressing the rights of passengers travelling by sea or inland waterway. The goal is to guarantee the rights of people travelling by boat with regard to assistance, adequate information and indemnification in case of delays or cancellations. Other aspects include assistance requirements for disabled persons or those with reduced mobility in ports, landing stages and aboard ships. This proposal fits within the same framework as that for the measures adopted in the air and rail transport sectors.

On 21 January 2009, the European Commission presented a Ten-year Strategy Plan to promote safe, secure, clean and efficient shipping. The plan focuses on the long-term competitiveness of European shipping and related maritime industries in world markets and the adaptation of the entire seaborne transport system to the challenges of the 21st century.
The three texts adopted by the  Commission (a Directive proposal facilitating the application of declaration formalities required for ships entering or leaving port, an action plan to set up a maritime area without barriers, and a communication on strategic objectives and recommendations for European maritime policy up to 2018) are an attempt to simplify the administrative formalities stemming from Community Regulations and include recommendations to Member States to reduce the administrative burden borne by shipping companies.

Telecommunications

The European Council reached an agreement on the ‘Telecoms package’ on 27 November. Specifically, this will result in a new management approach for the radio spectrum through the reallocation of frequencies freed up by the switchover from analogue to digital as well as a wide range of requirements to limit prices charged for telephone calls and Internet transactions carried out with mobile phones. This will all be subject to the requirement that the cross-border nature of such communication cannot place additional burdens on users. Member States have also agreed on more extensive measures to protect citizens in an increasingly complex and digitised environment while nevertheless allowing for the development and dissemination of   new, innovative services and applications. Since the text has to be adopted through a co-decision procedure, negotiations began immediately with the European Parliament and the goal is to reach an agreement in early May 2009.

During that same Council meeting, the Member States reached an agreement in principle on a proposal for a text extending the validity of the Roaming Regulation until 2012. This Regulation has led to major tariff reductions of 50 to 60% for this type of communication service. The proposal expands the Regulation’s scope to also cover text messaging by limiting the price of each message to 11 euro cents, as well as data exchanges, for which provisions have been submitted. All these measures are aimed at helping users manage telecommunication costs while travelling in another Member State.