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Ministers emphasised the need for close cooperation between member states in order to ensure an efficient use of frequencies and to avoid harmful cross-border interferences. Furthermore, a common approach in coordinating spectrum usage is likely to offer advantages in terms of economies of scale.
The Council recommended to the member states that they release their digital dividends as quickly as possible, enabling European citizens to benefit from the deployment of new, innovative and competitive services. Last but not least, the digital dividend could help to overcome the existing gap between urban and rural areas in the provision of ICT services, by increasing the availability of wireless broadband applications throughout the EU.
More information:
Council press release(pdf)
Council webcast of press conference
Clearer rules for cabotage
The transport ministers of the EU have reached agreement on the road transport package on 13 June.
The first EU legislative acts on road transport were adopted in the 1990s and have allowed balanced development of the internal market in this sector. However, experience has shown that unclear or incomplete legal provisions and different national rules are still causing problems for professionals operating in several member states. This is why the current legislation on road transport needs to be simplified, clarified and made more enforceable, as part of the "better regulation" project.
One of the documents in the package concernsaccess to the international road haulage market. It is based on two regulations and one directive which have been merged into one regulation.
A main issue in the discussion has been the definition of "cabotage". This term refers to domestic transport carried out by an operator from another member state. The present rules are not clear, and non-application in some member states may lead to distortion of competition.
The new regulation introduces an obligation for carriers to keep in the vehicle documents attesting the date and place of arrivals and departures; simplified procedures; forms to reduce administrative burdens and delays; and the obligation for member states to sanction infringements.
The proposed rules on cabotage will allow transporters to carry out three internal transports within a seven-day period in the host country, providing the original load is delivered first. These operations may be also performed in transited member states as long as they are limited to 1 operation within 3 days per member state. The advantage is more efficient transports, reducing the number of empty runs and fuel consumption, to the benefit of the environment.
The agreed text will now be discussed in the European Parliament together with the two other regulations in the road transport package, concerning the occupation of road transport operator and access to the international market for coach and bus services.
More information:
Council press release(pdf)
Council webcast of press conference
Upcoming events
General affairs and external relations Council, 16 June 2008
European Council, 19 and 20 June 2008
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