Transport Minister Radovan Zerjav presented to the press in Ljubljana on Friday Slovenia's EU presidency priorities in transport, which include safety, common EU standards in road transports for both goods and people, as well as interoperability of rails and maritime legislation.
In the EU rail sector, Slovenia will focus on coordinating a number of different requirements in individual member states, which could endanger the interoperability of the railway system of the bloc. To avoid complications the EU is to discuss a directive on rail system safety and a regulation concerning the European Railway Agency.
According to Zerjav, one of the toughest chapters will be the third package on maritime safety, which includes draft directives on compliance with flag state requirements and on the civil liability and financial guarantees of shipowners.
Regarding sea transport, the presidency will also resume the debate on vessel traffic monitoring and information system, as well as basic accident investigation principles and on Port State Control.
Moreover, Slovenia wants to be involved in all levels of the maritime package, which is very important especially considering the recent accidents.
The presidency will also uphold the debate on road transport, with an emphasis on drafting specifications for competitive service in freight transport. Alongside further steps towards liberalising the transport of goods within the EU, the presidency will start the debate on common EU rules in international passenger transport.
As regards the Western Balkans, a general priority of the upcoming presidency, Slovenia will give the European Commission the mandate to start negotiations on an agreement on transport with the region.
While the Galileo satellite navigation system made big progress during the German and Portuguese presidency, the Slovenian presidency hopes that a legislative framework will be passed, which is to speed up the project.
In air traffic, Slovenia will focus on upgrading SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) and on providing the European Commission with the mandate to launch negotiations with third countries wanting to join the project.
"A lot of work lies ahead, the programme is demanding and ambitious. I believe that our team will be successful and effective during the presidency. As a country, we will do everything to reach the goals planned in the field of transport," Zerjav said.
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