ADOPTION OF AGREEMENT. Approval of agreement on Technical Requirements for inland waterway vessels (rule 73)

Transcription

1 7 APRIL 2016

2 The meeting started with the Chair, Michael Cramer, leading a minute's silence in memory of the victims of the attacks at Zaventem airport and Maelbeek/Maalbeek metro station on 22 March. The Rapporteur explained that the key point in the final discussion had been to safeguard the role of Parliament as co-legislator, in particular in situations that require a revision or update of the technical standards. ADOPTION OF AGREEMENT The agreement was approved with 43 votes in favour, 2 against and 2 abstentions. Approval of agreement on Technical Requirements for inland waterway vessels (rule 73) Rapporteur: Ivo Belet (PPE, BE) Ordinary legislative procedure April I ADOPTION OF DRAFT REPORTS Protocol amending the Common Aviation Area Agreement between the EU and Georgia, to take account of the accession of Croatia The agreement between Parliament and Council provides harmonised technical requirements to grant navigation certificates for inland waterway vessels. It revises the current Directive which is based on a dual system applicable on the Rhine and the Union's other inland waterways. Rapporteur: Francisco Assis (S&D, PT) Consent procedure The Committee recommended that the Plenary give consent to the conclusion of the Agreement, with 42 votes in favour, 1 against and 0 abstentions. April I Protocol amending the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the EU and Israel, to take account of the accession of Croatia The current technical requirements will be replaced by a reference to an international standard set out by the European Committee for drawing up standards in the field of inland navigation (CESNI), set up under the auspices of the Central Commission for Navigation of the Rhine. Rapporteur: Francisco Assis (S&D, PT) Consent procedure The Committee recommended that the Plenary give consent to the conclusion of the Agreement, with 46 votes in favour, 1 against and 0 abstentions. It should be underlined that the current CESNI standard encompasses technical specifications for vessels using Liquified Natural Gas. 2 April I

3 ADOPTION OF DRAFT OPINION improvement in the Regulation on common rules for the operation of air services to ensure binding application of national labour legislation for airlines with European operational bases. Social Dumping in the EU Rapporteur: Jens Nilsson (S&D, SV) Opinion to EMPL, own initiative report In the maritime sector, the Commission is asked: to ensure full implementation of social legislation, including the 2006 Maritime Labour Convention; to encourage ships to have the flag of a Member State; and to promote the recruitment and retention of skilled European-based seafarers. The draft opinion was adopted with 34 votes in favour, 6 against, and 7 abstentions. European Union 2016 The Opinion highlights the need for the Commission and Member States to implement all relevant social legislation covering the transport sector whilst respecting fair competition and free movement. Vote in EMPL 19 April 2016 May/June (tbd) PRESENTATION OF DRAFT OPINIONS It notes that there is no clear definition of social dumping in transport and that this term is sometimes misused to introduce protectionist measures. Proposal on the European Border and Coast Guard Rapporteur: Marie-Christine Arnautu (ENF, FR) Opinion to LIBE, ordinary legislative procedure It recommends combatting illegal activities, letter box companies and unfair business practices to ensure social protection. It also calls for increased controls on work and rest times, improved control devices and smart tachographs. The Rapporteur said that opinion polls showed that immigration was a priority issue in many Member States. She also referred to the closure of the Balkan route, the planned referendum in Hungary and what she saw as the negative consequences of the Schengen agreement. The Commission is asked to revise the combined transport directive and to consider the creation of a European Road Transport Agency to ensure proper implementation of EU legislation and promote standardisation and cooperation between Member States. In her view, FRONTEX, the borders agency, would not resolve the problem simply by changing the uniforms worn by officials at borders. More guards and more resources were needed to prevent people illegally crossing frontiers. She also considered that clandestine migrants should be expelled. In addition, the Opinion stresses the social dimension of the recent Commission Aviation Strategy for Europe. It calls, in particular, for an 3

4 The Shadow Rapporteurs, and most other Members who intervened, rejected this approach. The majority stressed the need to distinguish between asylum seekers, whose human rights were the same as everyone else, and migrants. Members broadly supported the Rapporteurs' suggestions, although not all could endorse the call to redistribute unused CEF money. Almost all Members considered that the Transport Committee s opinion should address transport issues and not seek to duplicate the work of the Civil Liberties Committee. Some pointed to the benefits arising from the Schengen Agreement. Others considered that the Commission s proposals threatened Member State sovereignty. 12 April 2016 Vote in TRAN Committee 12 May 2016 Vote in LIBE 24 May 2016 tbd 19 April 2016 Vote in TRAN Committee 24 May 2016 Vote in BUDG 16 June 2016 July 2016 CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rapporteur: Davor Škrlec (Greens/EFA, HR) Opinion to EMPL, own initiative report Deadline for amendments Deadline for amendments The amendments tabled for this draft opinion mainly complement and further develop the Rapporteur's ideas on accessibility and personal mobility issues. Preparation of the post-electoral revision of the MFF : Parliament's input ahead of the Commission's proposal During the discussion, the Members focused on: Rapporteur: Marian-Jean Marinescu (PPE, RO) Opinion to BUDG, own initiative report The Rapporteur stressed that restoring the funds which had been redeployed from the Connected Europe Facility (CEF) to the European Fund for Strategic Investments should be a priority for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) revision. Moreover, he called for redistribution of the money not used by cohesion Member States under the CEF by the end of 2016 and for an adequate allocation of funds to the transport agencies. improving accessibility for disabled people, so they can independently meet their own needs, including facilities at stations and ports; door-to-door transportation; access to the 112 emergency line; use of the Connecting Europe Facility and other EU funds; implementing existing legislation as set out in the European Disability Strategy; and awareness-raising and education in schools. In addition, the Rapporteur stressed that the Single European Sky is the main instrument to ensure safety, environmental performance, competitiveness and protection of citizens rights in the field of aviation. Vote in TRAN Committee 26 April 2016 Vote in EMPL 30 May 2016 tbd 4

5 NEXT TRAN COMMITTEE MEETING, BRUSSELS TRAN COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2016, BRUSSELS Planned draft agenda - To be confirmed Monday, 23 May, 15h00-18h30 Tuesday, 24 May, 9h00-12h30 Tuesday, 24 May, 15h00-18h30 Monday, 25 April, afternoon: Proposal for Regulation amending Regulation 1406/2002 establishing a European Maritime and Safety Agency (EMSA) - presentation of draft report/ Arnautu; European Union Strategy for the Alpine Region - consideration of amendments/ Aiuto; Wednesday, 15 June, 9h00-12h30 Wednesday, 15 June, 15h00-18h30 Thursday, 16 June, 9h00-12h30 Monday, 11 July, 15h00-18h30 Tuesday, 12 July, 9h00-12h30 Tuesday, 12 July, 15h00-18h30 Tuesday, 26 April, morning: Thursday, 1 September, 9h00-12h30 Thursday, 1 September, 15h00-18h30 Implementation of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities vote/škrlec ; Exchange of views with EASA Executive Director, Mr Patrick Ky on the follow-up of MH17 crash; Presentation by the Commission of Staff Working Document on rail freight noise reduction - SWD(2015)0300; Tourism Task Force - Presentation of Tourism for Growth and Jobs Manifesto Exchange of views with stakeholders/ Ujhelyi; Monday, 26 September, 15h00-18h30 Monday, 10 October, 15h00-18h30 Tuesday, 11 October, 9h00-12h30 Tuesday, 11 October, 15h00-18h30 Wednesday, 9 November, 9h00-12h30 Wednesday, 9 November, 15h00-18h30 Thursday, 10 November, 9h00-12h30 Monday, 5 December, 15h00-18h30 Tuesday, 26 April, afternoon: Public Hearing on Road Transport in the era of new technologies, including Policy Department Study presentation on selfpiloted cars Meeting room: P1A002 5

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