CONFÉRENCE EUROPÉENNE DES MINISTRES DES TRANSPORTS
EUROPEAN CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS OF TRANSPORTJOINT STATEMENT BY THE MINISTERS OF TRANSPORT OF THE ECMT

[CEMT/CM(98)26]

At its meeting in Berlin, the Council of Ministers of the ECMT adopted a Statement on generaltransport policy. In this Statement, which was the ECMT’s contribution to the Third Pan-European
Transport Conference (Helsinki, 23-25 June 1997), the Council defined the ECMT’s current role in an
enlarged Europe and in that context set out guidelines for transport policy in the coming years.
Based on the Crete Declaration (Second Pan-European Transport Conference, Crete,
March 1994) but also on initiatives taken to date in other for to promote a pan-European transport
policy, the Statement focuses on a number of basic principles that should now be an integral part ofsuch a policy, in addition to those contained in the Crete Declaration. It goes on to identify areas inwhich substantial progress remains to be made and the relevant provisions that the ECMT intends to
put in place within its own institutional framework.
Given the general interest of this Statement, it was felt appropriate to reproduce it in full below,
as delivered at the Helsinki Conference.

PREAMBLEIn response to the radical geopolitical changes that have taken place in Europe over the past
decade, several initiatives have been launched in order to start preparing the ground for a new
European transport system. While in most cases these initiatives have resulted, quite logically, in
modification of existing forms of co-operation in order to adapt them to the change in circumstances,some of them have led to the emergence of new arrangements aimed at bringing all the current players
in the transport sector together, on a very large scale, within the framework of Pan-European
Transport Conferences.
Having already presented its views at the first such Conferences in Prague, on “Guidelines
for Transport Policy in an integrated Europe”, the ECMT, in its role as a forum for transport policy
co-operation at pan-European level, has prepared the attached document for consideration at theHelsinki Conference, to be held in June 1997.
The ECMT shares the overall vision that lies behind the Crete Declaration and fully
subscribes to all the basic principles set out in it. The ECMT considers, however, that theseprinciples should be developed further, and in some areas updated in order to take account of recent
developments, the needs and constraints arising from such developments, and the specific concerns ofcertain European Member countries that are not Member States of the European Union.

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There is now a well-established consensus regarding both the general objective to beachieved, that of a coherent, efficient and safe pan-European transport system consistent with theprinciple of sustainable development, and the economic model on which the operation of this systemshould be based, namely the liberalised access to competitive transport markets. There arenonetheless some major problems to be overcome before such a transport system can be put in place.
It is obvious that the various countries or groups of countries which will become part of the enlarged
Europe do not all start from comparable levels of development. Major disparities will continue toexist for many years to come in terms of transport infrastructure, equipment and the quality ofservices. The geography and even the history of these countries also pose problems. The partners
currently involved will not necessarily all derive the same benefits from the process now under way
and changes to the rules applicable to transport in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will
result in short-term adjustment costs which will vary both from one country to another and from one
operator to another. Any practical measures introduced must be drawn up and implemented in thespecific context of each country. They must also strike a balance between the priorities adopted bythat country (e.g. social and fiscal measures, protection of the environment, regional development,etc.) and the ensuing conflicts and constraints in terms of resource allocation.
Since it will not be possible in the short term to achieve this general objective in all
countries, we need to put in place initial frameworks that will allow all the countries concerned,
despite the difficulties at least, to move in the same direction and to take concrete steps towards theultimate goal.
The duties incumbent on Ministers of Transport include not only the formulation of policyin the area for which they are responsible, but also the implementation of that policy. It is for thisreason that the ECMT has focused its attention on the practical steps that need to be taken in order toachieve, by building on the existing common foundation, the outcome desired.
The present statement draws particular attention to the course of action which the ECMT
considers to be most appropriate, in the light of the situation described above, and the provisions tothis effect which the ECMT intends to put in place within its own institutional framework.

JOINT STATEMENTThe Council of Ministers of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT),
meeting in Berlin, on 21st and 22nd April 1997:
1. Welcomes the steps taken so far to promote a European-wide transport policy by theinstitutions of the European Community as well as by the intergovernmental organisations responsible
for transport in their respective fields of competence, particularly through the establishment of theCommunity legislation applicable to the sector, through various Agreements between the Communityand other European countries, through the Conventions and Agreements elaborated in the frameworkof the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE), the relevant Resolutions adopted
by the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) and by the ECMT itself1.
2.

Emphasises the role of the ECMT•in helping to create, in its capacity as political forum, an integrated transport systemthroughout the enlarged Europe that is economically and technically efficient, meets the2

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highest possible safety and environmental standards and takes full account of the social
dimension, and•in helping also to build a bridge between the European Union (EU)/the European
Economic Area (EEA) and other parts of the continent at a political level.
It recalls that, in pursuance of this latter role, it has already adopted a wide range ofresolutions intended to extend the Community patrimony to all the Member countries of theConference2.

Furthermore, the multilateral quota of licences for the international transport of goods byroad introduced within the framework of the ECMT and extended over the last few years to all of its
new Member countries is working towards achieving the gradual integration of transport markets at
the pan-European level3.
3. Supports the initiatives taken so far in other for a for a comprehensive approach to theintegrated and sustainable development of transport services and systems, and in particular thefollowing:•

The European Commission’s White Paper on the future development of the common
transport policy and the conclusions of the Council of the European Union on the subject.

•

The European Commission’s Action programme 1995-2000 for the common transport
policy.

•The European Commission’s White Paper on the preparation of the associated countries ofCentral and Eastern Europe for integration into the internal market of the Union.

•

The different Conventions and European Agreements affecting transport, drawn up within
the framework of the UN/ECE.

•The Declaration by the Second Pan-European Transport Conference (Crete, March 1994).

4. Stresses the view expressed in the Crete Declaration that a European-wide transport
policy must be developed as a comprehensive whole, with the principles defined in section B 1-5
being fully taken into account.
5. Endorses the approach set out in the Crete Declaration for further work on framing a
Europe-wide transport policy and for developing a coherent transport system in Europe (points
listed in C 1-9).
6. Considers it appropriate for the further development of pan-European Transport
policy, to supplement the principles of the Crete Declaration with the following additional
elements:•

To acknowledge that within the framework of a market-oriented economy a good balancemust be struck between the overall contribution of transport to economic and social
development on the one hand and environmental protection and safety on the other in theinterests of sustainable mobility.

•

To underline the relevance of the subsidiarity principle. According to this principle, action
is taken at multilateral level only if the objectives of the proposed measure cannot be
achieved satisfactorily at individual country level or below.

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•To stress the importance of promoting an appropriate framework for an efficientdevelopment of environment-friendly and safe modes, such as rail, inland waterways
transport, short sea shipping and intermodal transport, in particular combined transport.

•

To recognise the essential role played by road transport owing to its flexibility, efficiency
and the fact that it is a particularly suitable mode for short distances, in sparsely populatedareas and as a connecting link between different modes.

•

To highlight the importance of encouraging interoperability within and between different
transport modes to create efficient transport systems that guarantee extensive accesspossibilities and interconnections.

•

To recall the need to promote economic and social cohesion and help reduce regional
disparities by taking into account the particularities of island, landlocked and remoteregions, where the transport systems and connections with major transport networks still
have to be improved.

•

With regard to government subsidies, and taking into account the special characteristics ofthe transport sector, to stress the need for transparency in the funding of both private andpublic operators so that inefficiencies and distortion of competition can be avoided.

7. To facilitate trade and economic development of the continent in a sustainable way,with reference to the previously mentioned basic principles, it considers that further substantial
progress has to be made in the following areas:•

General Transport Policy formulation and co-ordination.

•

Gradual development of European transport infrastructure with the aim of achieving an
integrated and coherent system.

•

Improvement of the protection of the environment, safety and accessibility of the transportsystem.

•Progressive liberalisation of market access and adjustment of market structures to foster
competition.

•

Harmonisation and improvement of competitive conditions, including social aspects, and theequal and non-discriminatory application of corresponding provisions.

•Removal of obstacles to closer integration of all countries in Europe, in particularwithdrawal of obstacles at border crossings, and guarantee of the security of transport
operations.

8.

Considers that it is particularly important in the coming years•

In relation to general Transport Policy Formulation and Co-ordination
To continue to work towards co-ordinated policies and practices in all European countries
and the elimination of distortions and inefficiencies. This will require anticipation of andrapid reaction to new problems based on a solid, well-founded analysis of existingquestions.

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In this regard, the ECMT will:− continue to support integration in a variety of ways, i.e. political contributions,providing a forum for open and forward-looking policy dialogue and through studies,policies reviews and information exchange;− continue to carry out economic research on a Europe-wide basis through Round Tables
and symposia. Research findings will be brought into the policy discussion at an earlystage so that solutions to emerging problems can be considered in good time. This will
be supported by developing improved transport statistics.
•

In relation to Infrastructure
To develop transport infrastructure further through improvement and intelligent use of
networks, better traffic management, interconnection of the EU/Trans-European networkwith the other parts of Europe and adequate funding. An intermodal approach to co-ordinate
Member countries’ investment plans of international importance more efficiently isrequired, in accordance with the principles and procedures established jointly by thedifferent international organisations concerned, with a view to integrate both economic
development needs and environment consequences. The ECMT welcomes the initiative
taken by the European Commission to promote infrastructure systems as an important step
towards a pan-European transport network; it will endeavour to ensure that the EU network
is properly connected with the other ECMT countries.
In this regard, the ECMT which has made its contribution, in close co-operation with the
EU and the UN/ECE in connection with the preparation for the Helsinki Conference, will:− continue to produce periodic policy reviews of European traffic trends, traffic forecasts,
market developments, investments in transport infrastructure and extend the analysis tothe current key policy issues facing decision makers;− contribute to a better understanding of issues surrounding the allocation of
infrastructure costs and harmonisation of the approach to allocation internationally,building on a short overview of the tax systems for road transport in the ECMT countries
and on an analysis of the concrete effects of the separation of rail infrastructure andoperations once this separation has taken place.
The ECMT urges those Member countries which have not yet done so to accede to the
AGTC (European Agreement on Important International Combined Transport Lines andRelated Installations), AGR ( European Agreement on Main International Arteries) andAGC (European Agreement on Main International Railway Lines) agreements of the
UN/ECE. It recommends that the AGN (European Agreement on Main Inland
Waterways of International Importance) be ratified in the near future.

•

In Relation to the Environment
It is especially important to develop transport in line with best environmental practices andin line with the principle of cost efficiency as well as with the concept of sustainable
development. Definition and implementation of stricter environmental standards forvehicles, internalisation of external costs and the reduction of air emissions, especially inurban areas, requires rapid progress.

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In this regard, the ECMT will:− continue to work on the basis of the report on internalising external costs submitted in
Berlin, and in close co-operation with the OECD and EU, on harmonised approaches tosolutions;− examine possibilities for further action in the context of the multilateral quota scheme, toencourage the use of vehicles that meet the highest environmental and safety standards;− update its work on CO2 emissions from transport and provide analysis of cost effectivemeans of reducing them;− continue its dialogue with the vehicle manufacturing industry to monitor progress in
implementing the joint declaration adopted in 1995 and report on this dialogue every
two years;− follow-up its work with OECD on Urban Travel4 and will extend the analysis to newmember countries and cities.
The ECMT urges that the UN/ECE Conference on transport and the environment planned
for November 1997 makes practical progress in the introduction of harmonised
environmental standards. The ECMT will make an active contribution to this Conference.
•

In Relation to Safety and Accessibility of the Transport System:
The provision of safe and accessible mobility are important objectives of transport policy.
While there have been significant recent reductions in the toll of people killed and injured
on European roads, the numbers involved are far too high and must be reduced.
In relation to accessibility, there has also been constructive progress in improving thetransport system for people with mobility handicaps. The number of people concerned is
growing steadily and much remains to be done to achieve a barrier free transport system forall people.
In this regard, the ECMT will:− continue to emphasise the importance of improving safety and urges its Member
countries to implement fully its many recommendations on safety5. In particular, the
ECMT will organise a Seminar in Poland in September 1997 on Communication
Strategies in Road Safety and will continue its work on vulnerable road users;− continue to foster access to transport for people with reduced mobility on the lines set
out in the Declaration on Vulnerable Users and urges the implementation of theComprehensive Resolution on this topic, adopted by its Council of Ministers in Berlin.

•

In Relation to Market Access and Competition
Market access and competition in all modes must be enhanced in the interests of efficiency.
More particularly, in road transport, and where this has not already occurred, an orderlychange to private ownership is required. It is also necessary to make rail and intermodaltransport efficient and competitive and therefore to take steps to enable rail to develop its
full potential, for example, through taking further measures to open-up rail networks tocompetition taking into account the experience gained from the first process of liberalisation
which is in progress. Rail, inland waterway and short sea shipping operators must
co-operate with their road haulage partners to contribute to the development of intermodaltransport.
In this regard, the ECMT:
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− will continue its work on privatisation and deregulation to ensure an efficient andwell-managed road sector, especially in the countries in transition, monitoring progress
and providing policy advice;− will continue to use its multilateral quota system as an important instrument of transport
policy in an enlarged Europe;− welcomes the initiative taken by the European Commission to further develop railway
policy and will consider appropriate measures to supplement the existing railway
Resolutions in this regard;− will review the progress of railway reform, including the separation of infrastructurefrom operations, in Member countries and will report to its Council of Ministers in 1998,
on the basis of the obtained results;− urges that its Resolutions 94/6 and 97/2 on combined transport and in particular theextension of the EU/EEA regulation on initial and terminal road haulage be implemented
in the entire ECMT area;− suggests that short sea shipping issues be included in the UN/ECE’s current work for anagreement on combined transport (AGTC) in the same way as was done for inland
waterways.
•

In Relation to Harmonisation of Competitive Conditions
It is necessary to speed up on a complementary and parallel basis the convergence of legal
and administrative provisions and their application in a uniform and non-discriminatory
way, to promote market integration by building upon high-level criteria. To minimise
competitive distortion, the following measures are necessary: stricter enforcement ofexisting provisions, especially of the rules for driving times in road haulage, as well as forweights and dimensions; examination of new rules on harmonisation of working conditions.
It is indeed necessary to bear in mind the social issues of transport (harmonisation ofprovisions, accession to existing agreements and further development of technicalinstruments).
In this regard, the ECMT:− has prepared, as a follow-up to its Vienna resolution on market access, a standard
bilateral road transport agreement and recommends its use to Member countries as afirst step towards further harmonisation;− will further develop its multilateral quota system as an important instrument for market
integration and the harmonisation of environmental and safety standards, at the sametime taking measures to prevent falsification of licences;− welcomes and supports the EU negotiations on occasional passenger transport by buses
and coaches (follow-up of the ECMT resolution on this subject) and urges their rapid
conclusion;− will continue to examine possibilities for extending EU legislation throughout Europe
and, where appropriate, will adopt suitable resolutions;− will organise Round Tables on the social issues of transport and draw conclusions fromthem for further action;− recommends that all its Member countries accede to the European Agreement
concerning the work of crews of vehicles engaged in international Road Transport(AETR), if they have not already done so;− urges its Member countries to abolish discriminatory border or road user charges andother measures which are based on the origin of vehicles, drivers or loads.

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•In Relation to Removing Obstacles to Efficiency
There are a variety of obstacles to more efficient transport that need to be removed. First, itis necessary to further reduce waiting time at border crossings and simplify the customs
clearance and other boarder crossing procedures. Technical compatibility of the varioustransport systems, both within modes and at their interface, also needs to be enhanced.
Second, it is important to tackle the problem of growing traffic and congestion, given thelimited possibilities to expand the network, especially in densely populated areas of Europe.
Improvements should be made by using telematic systems and advanced traffic management
systems. Third, it is essential to ensure that transport is securely and safely carried out andthat crime, fraud and law-breaking are reduced dramatically. Fourth, it is necessary also for
efficiency reasons, to move progressively towards the internalisation of transport’s externalcosts.
In this regard, the ECMT:− recalls its Resolution 94/5 on the removal of obstacles at border crossings forInternational Road Goods Transport and recommends that its Member countries
implement the proposed measures if they have not already done so;− will continue its work for this purpose; in 1998 it will analyse the situation at that timeand, where appropriate, recommend further measures;− urges to increase the co-ordination of aid provided by different Institutions and to
improve their transparency;− recommends that its Member countries accede to the UN/ECE Convention on theharmonisation of border controls (October 1982) if they have not already done so;− will continue analysis of specific aspects of interoperability, especially with respect torail transport;− will more specifically be working, in the area of enhanced telematics and, in close
co-operation with the EU and industry, towards the development of harmonised,interoperable and practical applications. The major issues to be dealt with are:a) the exchange of information on the use of new technologies and the related legal,
administrative, organisational and economic issues;b) the setting-up of consistent traffic messages and traffic management instruments,
including working towards the standardisation of various information elements;c) the elaboration of codes of practice for the exchange of international traffic
management messages;d) the monitoring implementation of particular technologies.
− submits to the Helsinki Conference a Declaration on Crime in Transport which
has been adopted by its Council of Ministers at its Berlin Session. The ECMT
will review progress in implementing this Declaration.

Finally, Ministers emphasise the importance of international dialogue and discussion to monitor
and review the implementation of the above principles, to find practical ways of overcoming
difficulties. They confirm ECMT’s role in contributing actively and constructively to this dialogue
and thereby to the attainment of coherent and efficient sound transport system in the enlarged Europe,
consistent with the goals of safety, environment and social policy."

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NOTES1.

--

In particular Consolidated Resolution No. 94/4 on Road Goods Transport.

2.

--

Resolution No. 90/2 on the Use of Vehicles Hired without Drivers for the International
Carriage of Goods by Road.
Resolution No. 91/1 on the Weights, Dimensions and Certain Other Technical
Characteristics of Certain vehicles.
Resolution No. 93/6 on the Development of International Rail Transport.
Consolidated Resolution No. 94/4 on Road Goods Transport.
Resolution No. 95/1 on the Access to the European Transport Markets.
Resolution No. 95/2 on the International Passenger Transport by Buses and Coaches.
Resolution No. 95/3 on the Extension of the Resolution on the Development of International
Rail Transport.

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3.

------

Resolution No. 91/2 on the Situation with Respect to the ECMT Multilateral Quota forInternational Transport of Goods by Road as at 1st January 1992.
Resolution No. 92/1 on the ECMT Multilateral Quota of Licences for the International
Transport of Goods by Road for Hire or Reward.
Document [ECMT/CM(93)12/Final/Rev1] on Proposals with respect to the Development of
the Multilateral Quota.
Resolution No. 95/4 on the Introduction of the Greener and Safe Lorry in the Context of theMultilateral Quota System.
Document [ECMT/CM(96)5] on Proposals for a Distribution of the Quota from
1st January 1997.

4.

Published as: ECMT/OECD (1995). ‘Urban Travel and Sustainable Development’, Paris.

5.

Summarised in: ECMT (1986 and 1994), ‘Principal Actions of ECMT in the Field of Road
Safety’, Paris.
See also:-- Recommendations/Conclusions on Speed Moderation, adopted in May 1996.
-- Resolution on Vulnerable Road Users: the Cyclists.

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