The Secretary of State for Transport (Chris Grayling)
The only Transport Council under the Maltese presidency (the
presidency) took place in Brussels on 8 June. The UK was
represented by the UK’s deputy permanent representative to
the EU, Katrina Williams.
The Council adopted a general approach on lorry and bus
driver training (driver CPC directive) as well as Council
conclusions on road safety and the EU’s maritime priorities.
All three were widely supported by member states. The UK
intervened to support the road safety conclusions, welcoming
the elements related to safer road infrastructure and
connected and autonomous vehicles, and highlighting the UK’s
safer road fund.
Under any other business, a range of items were discussed.
The Commission presented its new mobility package of
proposals which aims to modernise the road transport
framework and strengthen the competitiveness and social
standards of the EU road haulage sector. Some member states
supported stronger social standards in the road transport
sector while others felt the Commission’s proposals did not
sufficiently support liberalisation in the sector. A number
of member states called for the political and geographical
balance of the proposals to be carefully considered.
The presidency provided information on the progress of the
trilogue discussions with the European Parliament on
professional qualifications in inland navigation directive
and the European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) regulation. Overall member states
welcomed the substantial efforts of the Maltese presidency in
negotiations to date with the European Parliament.
The Commission presented an overview of the “Open and
Connected Europe” aviation package which was published on the
morning of the Transport Council. The package includes a
proposal to revise regulation (EC) No. 868/2004, guidelines
on airline ownership and control, guidelines on public
service obligations and best practice on minimising air
traffic control disruptions.
Sweden provided information on her approach to protection
against acts of terror in road transport in light of the
terrorist attack that occurred in Stockholm in April. The UK
intervened to express its solidarity and emphasise the
importance of this issue and of sharing best practice,
supported by other member states. Those who intervened
offered condolences to the UK following the London Bridge
attack on 3 June.
In addition, the Commission updated the Council on recent
developments on aviation security and the Netherlands asked
the Commission to provide information on their work on social
issues in aviation. Luxembourg urged member states to speed
up the implementation of the European rail traffic management
signalling system (ERTMS) and presented the work she had done
to develop a blue-print EU cycling strategy. Germany flagged
the high-level dialogue on connected and autonomous driving
that would take place in Frankfurt on 14 and 15 September and
the Estonian presidency presented its work programme for its
presidency beginning 1 July 2017.
Over lunch Commissioner Bulc led a discussion on an initial
strategy at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on
reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships.
