COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2021/1743

of 28 September 2021

on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Regional Steering Committee of the Transport Community as regards the establishment of a Technical Committee on Waterborne Transport and Multimodality

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 91 and Article 100(2), in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Treaty establishing the Transport Community (the ‘TCT’) was concluded by the Union by means of Council Decision (EU) 2019/392 (1) and entered into force on 1 May 2019.

(2) The Regional Steering Committee was established by the TCT for the administration and proper implementation of the TCT. Pursuant to Article 26 of the TCT, the Regional Steering Committee is to adopt decisions to establish technical committees.

(3) Technical committees are able to make proposals in their sphere of responsibility to the Regional Steering Committee for decision. The technical committees consist of representatives of the Contracting Parties to the TCT. Participation as an observer is open to all Member States of the Union.

(4) The Regional Steering Committee is shortly to adopt a decision to establish a Technical Committee on Waterborne Transport and Multimodality.

(5) The establishment of a Technical Committee on Waterborne Transport and Multimodality will help to achieve the TCT’s aim, namely the creation of a Transport Community in the field of road, rail, inland waterway and maritime transport as well as the development of the transport network between the Union and the South East European Parties.

(6) A Technical Committee on Waterborne Transport and Multimodality should aim to address critical issues relating to waterborne transport, which comprises maritime affairs, inland waterways and ports, as well as to address the multimodality aspects, and promote the efficient use, of such transport.

(7) It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the Regional Steering Committee as regards the establishment of a Technical Committee on Waterborne Transport and Multimodality, as such decision is necessary for the implementation of the TCT and will be binding upon the Union,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1 The position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the Regional Steering Committee set up by the Treaty establishing the Transport Community as regards establishing a Technical Committee on Waterborne Transport and Multimodality shall be based on the draft decision of the Regional Steering Committee (2). Minor changes to that draft decision may be agreed to by the representatives of the Union within the Regional Steering Committee without a further decision of the Council.

Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 28 September 2021. For the Council The President S. KUSTEC

(1) Council Decision (EU) 2019/392 of 4 March 2019 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Treaty establishing the Transport Community (OJ L 71, 13.3.2019, p. 1.).

(2) See document ST 11514/21 at http://register.consilium.europa.eu.