CELEX: 51980PC0582
Language: en
Date: 1980-10-21
Title: Draft for a COUNCIL RESOLUTION 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 (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

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COM (80) 582
Vol. 1980/0186
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 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                              COM(80)582 final
                                              Brussels , 21 October 1980
                             Draft for a
                         COUNCIL RESOLUTION
             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
            ( submitted to the Council by the Commission )
                         A                \\
C0MC80 ) 582 final
 ---pagebreak--- COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL
 Priority business for a Council Working Programme
             on Transport to end 1983
 ---pagebreak--- Priority Business for a Counci I , Working Programme on Transport to end 1983
    I. Introduction and settinà
                                  I  *
                                  '   . ' i .
                 This Communication takes forward into a further phase , up
   to the end of 1983 , the programming of priority action by the Community
   on transport .           *
   2.            In October , 1973 the Commission presented to the Council a
   Communication ( 1 ) on the development of Community policy looking
   forward over the decades of the seventies' and eighties . That Commu­
   nication also set out a specific programme of action for the years
   1974-76 . To maintain progress , the Commission responded to an
   invitation from the Council 's June 1977 session by presenting , in
   November A 977 , a working programme listing priorities for Council
   action up to the end of 1980.(2 ). The Council took note of this
   during its session of 20 / 21 December 1977, and stated that it would
   take it into account , as practicable , in its ensuing work . During
   1978 / 79 the Council reached decisions on half of the proposals
   made by the Commission within that programme : appreciable progress
   has been made on others .
   3.            The Parliament , in its plenary session of 16th January
   1979 , adopted a resolution ( 3 ) supporting the programme presented
   by the Commission to the Council , and invited the Commission to
   present "a programme of activity by the Council for the years after
   1980 " which the Council could! adopt in the form of a resolution .
 :                -■                   ■. "   :                      ./.
   ( 1 ) Common transport policy; objectives and programme. EC Bulletin
         suppl . 16/ 73                •,
   ( 2 ) E.C. Bulletin No . 11-1977> page 113
   ( 3 ) OJ No . C 39 , 12.2.1979 , pége 16
 ---pagebreak---                                                - 2 -
4.            In view of what thq Parliament had resolved and the fact
that the priority list_fpr Cpyncil actions to end 1980 significantly
improved the structure of action since Autumn 1977, the Commission
now puts forward a further programme for priority action by the
Council covering the period up to the end of 1983 . ■ " '
                      •- .> " '· - · ■ .('
II . Character of tpe programme •
5.            The latest list of priority business is within the framework
of the approach to Community policy for transport broadly stated in-
the Commission 's 1973 Communication ( 1 ) and further defined since then .
It takes account of economic and other changes affecting the Community
over recent years and of progress made to date in Community transport
policy . It has regard also to views expressed by the Council , the
Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee . It emphasises the
following objectives :
                                                               z'     ,
- realisation of a transport infrastructure network matching
    Community requirements ,
- expansion of scope for flexible and productive transport services
    between Community countries , responsive to needs and at the lowest
    overall cost ,
- healthy reforms and cooperation in a Community dimension between
    the railways ,                       .
- the wellbeing of merchant shipping in its world setting , \
- development of opportunity for efficient air services ,
- satisfactory treatment of all' forms of transport and their users
    in wider international relations .
- rational use of energy,
                                        i s
    social considerations in transport policy .                         ^
                                        ii; ■
                                                                   ~ ./. .
( 1 ) Common transport policy ; objectives and programme . EC Bulletin
      suppl . 16 / 73                             .
                                           1 '
                                            I
 ---pagebreak---  6.             Like the preceding priority programme, this one concentrates
 on what appears essential for advancing Community transport policy by
 measures demonstrably urgent to meet practical needs . In drawing it up ,
 close regard has been had to realistic possibilities of action , taking
 account of the state of work on proposals presently under discussion ,
 the time necessary for preparation of further proposals intended over
 the period , and that needed for their consideration by the other
 Community institutions . Experience has shown that , as stated in the
 November 1977 Communication ( 1 ) and as the Parliament has
 underlined ( 2 ), fulfilment by the Commission of its part in the
                                       *
 programme is crucially dependent on resources engaged : lack of
 resources would delay and reduce what can be done .
 7.     '       The statement of priority actions in this list does not
 exclude action on other matters ; the list underlines priorities , and
 is not designed exhausti vely : to catalogue all work falling to be done .
 In several areas proposals already put forward and action already
 indicated need to be followed through . Changing circumstances may
 necessitate the introduction of unforeseen items , or the attribution
 of special priority to particular topics at the expense of others .
 Need for adaptation and adjustment will be kept in sight .
 III . Contents of a priority working programme for the Council
          to the end of 1983
 8. .           The annex to this communication sets out a list of measures ,
 corresponding to the objectives stated in paragraph 5 above , on which
 the Council decisions will be sought over the period between now and
 the end of 1983 . The following paragraphs explain the necessity and
 urgency of these measures : the order set out is determined by
 convenience of exposition , and does not imply any relative grading
 in importance or timing .
                             .                                     ' ./.
 ( 1 ) E.C. Bulletin No . 11-1977, page 113
"( 2 ) OJ No. C 39, 12.2.1979, page 16
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 4 -
9.            Transport infrastructures can frequently play a determinant
role for transport activity . Their importance grows with changes in
transport systems and in economic and social organisation . The high
relative growth in exchanges between Member States imposes increasing
demands on links , of all modes , to and across frontiers . Infrastructure
planning has usually been the subject of discrete national programmes
which have not been such as to pay regard to the overall requirements
of Community traffic . Due weight for Community interests needs to be
added in . An objective of Community action , as outlined in the
Commission 's memorandum on the Community role in development of
infrastructure ( 1),is to expand the conceptual scope of national
programmes and projects to cover also the evolving and prospective
needs of Community traffic .
10 .          In this context , commencement of work by the Community
Committee on infrastructure ( 2 ) has represented a welcome advance .
The next essential move towards achievement of an adequate Community
network requires adoption by the Council of the proposal before it
for means of financial support for projects of high Community interest(3 ).
The Commission had provided the further , reports on bottlenecks and
mechanisms ( 4 ) requested by the Council .
11 .          Satisfaction of Community needs involve some axes
transiting third couht;ries , for example in the case of landward
movement between Greece , joining in 1981 , and the rest of the
Community . Hence the Commission has proposed that there should be
ability to support key intra-Community links located in third
countries ( 5 ) ( and has suggested an approach allowing for a
Community contribution towards the cost of a motorway across Austria -
( 1 ) A transport network for Europe ; Outline of a policy . E.C. Bulletin ,
 i    suppl . 8 / 79
( 2 ) 0J No . L 54 , 25.2.1978 , page 16
( 3 ) 0J No . C 207 , 2.9.1976 , page 7 ; modified 0J No . C 249 , 18.10.1977 ,
( 4 ) C0MC80 ) 323 final , 20.6.1980                                     p. 4
( 5 ) 0J No . C 89 > 10.4.1980 , p. 4
 ---pagebreak--- the Innkreis-Pyhrnautobahg, *vas well as improved cooperation in other
respects over transport of Community interest across that country ( 1 )).
                               • î ;!
12 .          The bearing of infrastructure costs by users would aid sound
decision making at '3LI leveLs and encourage rational use . Lifting of
the one remaining .'reservation by a Member State would permit enactment
of the first directive on commercial vehicle taxation      ( 2 ) and open
the way for further moves towards a general system covering other
transport modes and costs .
13 .         Recent years have seen a continuing deterioration in the
financial situation of rai Iway undertakings , and recent forecasts
indicate that with unchanged policies, the railways' share of total
traffic is likely to continue to fall .
             On the other hand, taking account of recent economic trends
and of the situation and prospects in relation to energy supply, the
Commission is convinced of the necessity of maintaining the full range
of transport modes .
             There is need for a change of emphasis in Community railway
policy over the coming decade . Decisions are required, new initiatives
and actions have to be taken and fresh perspectives examined if present
market and financial difficulties in railway operations are to be
reversed . The Commission has examined the situation of railway
undertakings and will place before the Council a paper which examines
a range of proposals and options for a new Community railway policy .
The new policy will mark a change of emphasis, building on the positive
elements of foregoing Community achievements . One of its main objec­
tives will be the development of a framework permitting railway
enterprises to attune their operations to present and future market
requirements .                                      ■   .
             It will deal with the setting of dates and conditions for .
attainment of financial balance by railway enterprises . It will contain
a new examination of public service obligations . It will advocate more
vigorous cooperation between railways and closer coordination of
suitable activities . The paper will be followed closely by suitable
legislative proposals relating to the achievement of financial balance .
( 1 ) C0M(80 ) 86 final , 11.4.1980
( 2 ) 0J No . C 95 , 21.9.1968, p. 41
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 6 -
 14 .           Development of combined transport fits the impartially
 multi-modal approach stated in the 1973 Communication ( 1 ) and
 continued since . Two relevant measures meriting priority are :
- negotiation with third countries to clear the way for such traffic
    with them ( 2 ) ( concurrence in the basis for these negotiations is
    awaited from one Council member ), and
- proposals which the Commission will make this year for further
    practical action to develop use of combined transport .
15 .           To enable inland surface transport services , especially
between Member • States , to respond to users' needs readily , flexibly ,
economocally and efficiently , further practical measures should be
taken towards achieving the free functioning of markets for goods
servi ces advocated in the Commission 's Communication of 1973 ( 1 )
and 1975 ( 3 ). Reforms which appear necessary for the purpose
include :                                       .
- freedom for various categories of movement ,
- progressive adaptation of Community quotas ( as well as taking
    Community factors into account in fixing bilateral quotas , for
    which legislation already exfsts ),
- modernisation of regulatory and authorisation arrangements in
    markets , where they exist , in the interests of technical advance
    and productivity , and
- improvement of knowledge of the state and trends of demand and
    supply .
( 1 ) Common transport policy ; objectives and programme . E.C. Bulletin
       suppl . 16 / 73   .
( 2 ). C0M(75 ) 188 final , 30.4.1975
( 3 ) 0J No . C 1 , 5.1.1976 *
 ---pagebreak--- 16 .          The system of observation of markets C1 ) is a necessary tool
 in the action just mentioned ( and for the safety net in case of grave
disequi Libria ) . Its initial three year experimental period expires at
the end of December 1981 . The Council will be requested to provide
for continuation of this action in good time before then .
17 .          Other actions needed to. avoid or reduce obstacles to ease
of intra Community movements include decisions on the Commission 's
proposals for weights ( 2 ) and dimensions of commercial road vehicles ,
and on technical standards for inland waterways vessels , as well as
agreement on common dates for ending summer time ( 3)(to complete the
simplification of all kinds of transport operations, begun by the
agreement reached on common starting dates ). Ease of transit across
countries en route is vital to many long-distance movements . The
Commission will shortly present a Communication setting out the
                       «
present position regarding transit and proposing improvements, which
the Council will be invited to discuss in depth . The Commission will
also, insofar as resources allow , pursue work to reduce and eliminate
unnecessary administrative formalities delaying f rontier-crossing .
18 .          In inland transport , benefits could come from greater
cooperation between groups of enterprises , for such purposes as
acquisition of material and sharing of^technical and marketing
facilities ( e.g. maintenance, return loads , operating and revenue
pools for traffic that could thereby be better served ). Such
developments could have particular, point for the health of inland
waterway transport , improving the quality of services offered,
through modernisation of material and improvement of managerial
decision-making with improved and better shared knowledge .
( 1 ) OJ No. C 1 , 5.1.1976                                    - ' ,m
( 2 ) OJ No . C 16, 18.1.1979 '
( 3 ) OJ No . C 36, 17.2.1976
 ---pagebreak---    19 .           Community action on merchant shipping will need to deal
' both with safety and with factors influencing economi c opportunity
   for commercial shipping and the carriage of seaborne trade . As regards
   safety, the CommH ssion seeks adoption by the Council of the proposed
   Community arrangements for verifying that ships in Member States *
   ports fulfil international standards ( 1 ). On the economic side ,
   priority tasks include pursjuifgf Community policy towards the code
 , of conduct for -liner conferences ( 2 ) and features of Community concern
   in multi laterat"«and biJLa,t^r'al ^relations with third countries .
        :          . -#B  ?
                                     V '
                              l" •. ..   '
                                            i''1
                                           .M .
   20 .           The^prarnM&,'ty could contribute towards resolving difficulties
   encounterecj :jri sieveral transport modes stemming for some practices of
   state trading countries' governments and their enterprises . While , for
   inland waterway transport , a first step has been taken by adoption
   of the additional protocol to the revised convention for Rhine
   navigation , there is a need for follow-up measures of specific
   practical effect . For road , rail and inland waterway transport , the
   setting up of a- system of consultation regarding dealings and agreements
   between Member States and third countries will add usefully to what
   can be done by Community means to deal with objectionable uncommercial
   practices . In sea transport , pursuit and, if necessary , extension
   of the monitoring system already in operation will permit the
   Community to be informed of the impact of uncommercial activities
   by ships flying state trading country flags and to judge the
   necessity for and nature of possible remedies .                                 \
               I
   21 .           Activity concerning air transport should concentrate on        '
   execution of the priority programme adopted by the Council on 12th
   June 1978 ( 3 ). Particular attention will be given to improving scope
   for interregional air services , developing more flexible procedures
   for authorisation of regular services , simplification of formalities
   ( 1 ) COM(80 ) 360 final , 25.6.1980                                 mlm
   ( 2 ) 0J No . L 121 , 17.5.1979 , p. 1 ^
   ( 3 ) Air transport : a Community approach . E.C. Bulletin , suppl . 5 / 79 ,
          annex 1           -
 ---pagebreak--- ( facilitation ) and progress ; regarding tariffs , among Community countries .
                              * :      ?   \
                           , îï "• '  c>
22 .          Appropriate p£jdali | i'es for the application of competition
rules to sea and to eii r " transbprt should be defined during the period .
          .      i*      ■ TT^'      m   i
23 .          Full , ar)d effective application of the existing provisions
                    •9.
for social working conditions in road transport will be sought ( 1 ).
The Commission considers that the balance of the proposals already
presented in March 1976 ( 2 ) should be dealt with , and that the
proposal ( 3 ) as amended ( 4 ) on social working conditions in inland
waterway transport should be adopted . The reasons which originally
inspired action in this field remain valid .                  -
24 .          Given the recognised importance of planned programming
ahead of Community action in transport , the Council is invited to
adopt the attached draft resolution , containing a list of priorities
for its action , year by year , from now until the end of 1983 . In the
light of events and within the limits of its resources , the Commission
will present , in due time , additional proposals necessary .
( 1 ) OJ No . L 77 , 29.3.1969 , p . 49 ; modified on several occasions
      OJ No . C 73 , 17.3.1979 , p . 1 ( codified version )
( 2 ) OJ No . C 103 , 6.5.1976 , p . 2 ; modification OJ No . C 249 , 18.10.1977 ,
                                                                        p. 6
( 3 ) 0J No . C 259 , 12.11.1975 , p. 2
( 4 ) 0J No . C 206 , 16.8.1979 , p. . 3
 ---pagebreak---                                    - ce -
                                   Draft
                             COUNCIL RESOLUTION                    .
concerning priorities and the timetable for decisions to be taken by
the Council in the transport sector during tiie period up to the end
of 1983
THE COUNCIL OF - THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community ;
                                             ...      .   . 1 '
Having regard to the draft submitted by the Commission ;
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament ( 2 ) of ..        ;
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee ( 3 ) of
Whereas on 25 October 1973 ( 4 ) the Commission submitted a Communication
to the Council concerning the development of the Common Transport Policy
which contained a working programme for the years 1974 to 1976 on which'
the European Parliament gave its opinion on 25 September 1974 ( 5 ) and
                                                        \
the Economic and Social Committee on 28 March 1974 ( 6 ) ;
Whereas on 28 November 1977 ( 7 ), following the Council 's invitation ,
the Commission presented it with a working programme including a list of
priority actions to be adopted by the Council during the period of
1978-1980/ of which the Council took note on December 1977 and of which it de­
clared it would endeavour to take account as far as possible ;
VI J
(2)
(3)
( 4 ) Bulletin of the European Communities ; suppl . 16 / 73
( 5 ) OJ C 127 , 18.10.1974
( 6 ) 0J C 126 , 17.10.1974 and OJ C 286 , 15.12.1975
 < 7 ) Bulletin of the European Communities No . 11-1977 , p. 1 13
 ---pagebreak--- Whereas the European Parliament in its Resolution of 16 January 1979 ( 1 )
invited the Commission to present a programme of activities for the
years after 1980 in the form of a draft Council resolution ;
Whereas it is useful and appropriate in such a programme to define
priority actions and to place the accent in particular on the measures
to be adopted in the fields of transport infrastructure , improvement of
the economic situation of the railways - the achievement of a more adequate
                V
framework permitting the introduction of intra-Community transport
services which better meet needs , the development of new actions in the
marine transport sector , and the creation of appropriate conditions allowing
more efficient airline services to be offered , and on the measures to take account of the
interests of transport in the context of relations with non-member countries ,
as well as a more rational use of energy ;             "
Whereas this programme should take account of the interests of users in
general , of carriers and transport workers and at the same time take account of the
public interest;
- approves the list of priorities and the timetable for decisions set out
    in the Annex which are to be taken during the period up to the end of
    1983 and , for this purpose , will examine the Commission 's proposals
    within the appropriate time limit ;
- notes that in its communication the Commission declares
    that it will , in due time , submit the necessary proposals for
    accomplishing this programme , insofar as these latter have not yet              <
    already been submitted to the Council .
                                                 Done at Brussels
                                                 By the Counci I
                                                 The President
( 1 ) 0J C 39 , 12.2.1979
 ---pagebreak---             List of priority matters for decisions on transport
     by the Council before the end of successive years up to end 1983
     ( Items within each period have not been Listed with a view to
             establishing any particular order between them )
Up to end 1981
- Formation of prices for international
  transport of goods by rail
- Negotiations with third countries on
  combined rail / road transport
- First directive on commercial
  vehicles' tax system
- Regulation on financial support for
  transport , infrastructures of Community interest
- Market observation system on transport of
  goods by rail , road and inland waterway between
  Community countries                -
- Framework for advancing development of
  combined road / rail transport ( second stage )
- Modification of first directive on common
  rules for road transport to harmonise
  with corresponding ECMT resolutions
- Access to inland waterway markets ; conditions of -
  participation in the - transport by inland waterway
  of the Member States ("genuine link ")
- Technical standards for inlanpl waterways
  goods vessels -                |
                                 (
- Relations on transport with Austria
- Setting deadlines and conditions for
  achievement of financial equilibrium
  by railways
- Monitoring activity of certain third countries'
  in sea transport and application , at need , of
  countei– measures                                 '
 ---pagebreak--- - Veri fyin g fulf i lme:.t of international safety
    standards by ships in ports of Community countries
- Bringing Community interests to bear in Member
   States * relations on shipping with third countries
- Improvement of scope for interregional air services
1982
- New arrangements for road goods tariffs
- Modification of first directive ( on roads goods
   carriage ) to " neutralise " the intermediate territory
   of third states for execution of intra-Community
   transport arrangements
- Cooperative facilities and other modernising
   measures for health of inland waterway transport
- Simplification of formalities in*air transport .
   ( facilitation )
- First steps over tariffs for air services between
   Community countries
- Community aspects of state aids to sea shipping
- Modalities for application of competition
   rules to maritime transport
- Participation of operators of certain third countries
    in Community traffic ( inland waterways )
1983
- First outline of transport infrastructure
   network of Community interest
- Elimination of obstacles to cooperation among
   railway enterprises
- Modernisation of arrangements and improved
   cooperative facilities in road transport markets
 " improving scope for productivity
- Driving licences ( second phase )
- Social working conditions in sea transport
- Improved opportunities for regular air services between
   Member States
 ---pagebreak--- Other priority matters to Ipe dealt with at appropriate time over the period
 until end 1983 , not specified for a particular year
- Pursuit of action towards health of railways , on the basis of
   the " Commission's' memorandum
- Weights and dimensions of commercial road vehicles - decision as
   soon as possible
- Summer time ( common ending date ) - decision as soon as possible-
■r Social working conditions in inland waterway transport , and balance
   of action on proposals already made on wording conditions in
   road transport
- Annual adaptation of Community quota for road haulage
- Modalities for application of competition rules to air transport .