27. 7. 81 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 185/35 
Opinion on the Council resolution on the work of the Council in the transport sector during 
the period up to the end of 1983 
The opinion of the Committee is not based on any text. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
At its 185th plenary session held on 29 and 30 April 1981 the Committee, acting on a 
proposal from the Bureau, decided to deliver an opinion on the abovementioned subject 
on its own initiative. 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 
187th plenary session held in Brussels on 29 and 30 April 1981. 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the 
European Economic Community, 
Having regard to the Commission's draft for a 
Council resolution of 24 October 1980 concerning 
priorities and the timetable for Decisions to be taken 
by the Council in the transport sector during the 
period up to the end of 1983 ('), 
Having regard to its opinion of 26 February 1981 on 
the above draft, 
Having regard to the resolution adopted by the 
Council on this matter on 26 March 1981, 
Having regard to the results of the joint meeting 
between the European Parliament's Committee on 
Transport and the ESC's Section for Transport and 
Communications, 
Having regard to the joint analysis of the current 
situation in the transport sector, 
Having regard to the decision taken by the Bureau of 
the ESC on 28 April 1981 (Article 46 of the Rules of 
Procedure), Having regard to the oral report made by the 
rapporteur-general, Mr Hennig (Articles 18 and 29 of 
the Rules of Procedure) and the preparatory work 
carried out by the rapporteur for the aforementioned 
opinion, Mr Loccufier, 
Having regard to the discussions at its 187th plenary 
session held on 29 and 30 April 1981 (meeting of 
30 April 1981). 
1. Notes that the Council has agreed on a concise 
list of issues to be discussed as a matter of priority 
in the period up to the end of 1983; 
2. Notes with pleasure that cross-frontier transport 
is one of the issues selected; 
3. Is unable to conceal its considerable 
disappointment over the fact that the Council was 
unable to take a binding decision; 
4. Reiterates the urgent need to bring the 
Community's transport policy out of the stagnation 
phase, particularly in the light of the changed 
economic situation and the energy crisis; 
(') OJ No C 294, 13. 11. 1980, p. 6. 5. Insists that, to this end, clear guidelines and a 
plan for a genuine Community transport policy 
No C 185/36 Official Journal of the European Communities 27. 7. 81 
should be drawn up and that, at the same time, there 
should be a clearly expressed desire to implement this 
plan by stages within a foreseeable time; 
6. Indicates its readiness to cooperate in this work 
with all the means at its disposal and calls upon the 
Council to make suitable efforts itself; 
Done at Brussels, 30 April 1981. 7. Appeals to the Council to go beyond the 
lethargic stage of simply issuing declarations of 
intent, as exemplified by its declaration of 26 March 
1981, by taking a formal decision with regard to 
concrete measures to be carried out within a binding 
timetable; 
8. Gives its unanimous approval to the above 
points. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Tomas ROSEINGRAVE