THE CZECH REPUBLIC PRESIDENCY PRIORITIES IN TRANSPORT
1. Optimization of internal market’s operation in transport area
In the field of internal market, the Czech Republic considers as paramount the adoption of such measures which result in equal conditions being set up for doing business in the EU transport market and the use of different modes of transport being optimized. In order to achieve these objectivesthe Czech Presidency intends to focus onimplementation of the measures contained in so-called “Green Transport Package”. In particular, it intends to concentrate on the issue of intelligent road charging aimed at internalizing the external costs in road user charges. Therefore,the Czech Presidency will strongly focus on discussing the Proposal for Directive amending Directive 1999/62 on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures in order to reach an agreement among the Member States in the Council.
Action Plan on Intelligent Transport Systems for RoadTransportis one of the expected Commission initiatives mentioned in “Green Transport Package” which the Czech Republic regards as very important. In the road transport sector, these systems are being implemented slightly slower than in some other transport sectors, which represent a certain barrier to efficient management of the infrastructure and of the road traffic. The Czech Presidency intends to adopt Council conclusions on this Commission document and to make as much progress as possible on the awaited legislative proposal for setting up of European ITS Committee.
In air transport the Czech Republic sees a problem in the continuing fragmentation in implementation of the Single European Sky (SES) programme. The Czech Presidency will therefore strive to finalize discussing of the Proposal for revision of legal framework of SES. In the field of SESAR project, which represents a technological part of SES, the Czech Presidency will seek to find agreement among the Member States forendorsement of the ATM Master Plan.
Completing the Trans-European Transport Network in time is a precondition for EU citizens, economic entities and regions to be able to fully exploit the advantagesoffered by internal market. In 2010, the Commission will be preparing a mid-term evaluation of this programme. The Czech Republic considers as desirable that the Commission is informed sufficiently in advance about the opinions of Member States on the further steps to be taken in this area. In order to open a discussion on this topic, the Czech Presidency intends to use the Green Paper on the future of TEN-T policy which should be submitted by the Commission at the end of this year.
2. Elimination of Administrative Barriers to Business in the Transport Sector
The Czech Republic places high importance on the removal of someexisting barriers in the sectors ofinternational road freight and bus transportbusiness. Therefore, under the Czech Presidency, the final adoption ofthe so-called Road Package should be reached.
From the perspective of the elimination of administrative barriers to business in the transport sector the expected proposal for amendment of Directive 2002/15 concerning exclusion of self-employed drivers from the scope of this directive could also have a positive effect. If this proposal is presented by the Commission in time, the Czech Presidency will strive to reach an agreement among the Member States in the Council, probably in the form of its general approach.
3. Competitiveness of EU transport system
Among the initiatives contributing to the increase of the competitiveness of the European transport system andconsequently of the entire European economy,the leading position is held by the Galileo Programme. The Czech Republicis fully aware of this Programme’s strategic importance and vast potential in terms of both the opportunities for European industry and its application to many areas in the transport sector. The Czech Presidency will support the successful continuation of this Programme implementation. In particular, the Czech Presidency will focus on proposalfor Regulation amending the Regulation 1321/2004 concerning establishment of governance structures for European satellite navigation systems. Matters regarding future applications of Galileo services and Public Regulated Services (PRS) might be discussed too.
Strengthening of competitiveness of railway transport belongs to the long-term objectives of the White Paper on EU Transport Policy. This issue will be the focus of the Czech Presidency, too. TheCzech Presidency will engage in a discussion of a new Commission legislative initiative for creation of competitive rail freight network as mentioned in the Communication „Towards a rail network giving priority to freight “ aiming to increase the efficiency of rail freight transport.
Deepening of relations with third countries in the air transport sector is regarded by theCzech Republic as an important tool to improve competitiveness of European air carriers. The Czech Presidency will particularly assist the Commission in negotiatingwith the U.S. Government about the second phase of the mutual Air Transport Agreement. Following the result of the French Presidency the Czech Presidency will take necessary steps for conclusion an Air transport agreement between the EU and Canada. Such agreements should support the development of trans-Atlantic relations between the EU and North American countries in the field of transport.
4. Road safety
Since current developments indicate that the objective defined in the European Action Plan for Road Safety 2001-2010 to reduce the number of fatalities on European roads by 50% will not be achieved, the road safety issue still remains a very important topic which should be dealt with intensively at the EU level. Under the Czech Presidency a discussion should be opened about the future orientation of the EU policy in the field of Road Traffic Safety, which might result in adoption of a new European Road Traffic Safety Action Plan for 2011-2020 in the second half of 2009 or in the first half of 2010.