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R ussian Road Trans port and the Transport Strategy of Russia. Mo scow , International Conference, 5 March 2004 Hubert Linssen, Genereal Delegate, IRU Brussels. International Conference 5 March 2004. EU ENLARGEMENT: where are we?.
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Russian Road Transportand theTransport Strategy of Russia Moscow, International Conference, 5 March 2004 Hubert Linssen, Genereal Delegate, IRU Brussels International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004
International Conference5 March 2004 EU ENLARGEMENT: where are we? • International road transport of goods and the international and national transport of passengers between to be liberalised on 1 May 2004 • For goods transport by road, transitional periods for market access for cabotage negotiated with all new Member States according to 2+2+1 (3+2 for PL & HU) formula, except Cyprus, Malta & Slovenia • Bulgaria & Romania will probably join the EU on 1 January 2007 with similar transitional periods for cabotage (3+2) • Turkey and the countries from the Western Balkans are expected to become members within the next 10 years – some even sooner (Croatia, Macedonia) International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004
International Conference5 March 2004 EU Wider Europe Strategy • EU Communication setting out a framework for relations Russia, the western NIS and Southern Mediterranean countries sharing a border with the enlarged Union • Transport networks and harmonisation likely to be priorities • “Wider Europe” is an inclusive political framework but a road transport dimension is needed • The role of Russia – its trade and transport community and authorities – is crucial International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004
International Conference5 March 2004 EU-Russia Relations • European Commission Communication on EU-Russia partnership: Strategy based on three pillars: • The extension of the current Partnership & Cooperation Agreement (PCA) • The recognition of the interdependence of the EU and Russia’s common interests • The need for a strategic partnership International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004
International Conference5 March 2004 EU-Russia Relations • Objectives established by EU-Russia St. Petersburg Summit (2003): establish four common spaces: • Common economic space • Common space of freedom, security and justice • Common space of cooperation in the field of external security • Common space of research, education and culture • Road transport sector should anticipate and come up with proposals International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004
International Conference5 March 2004 The IRU Enlargement Strategy • Opening of road transport markets a step-by-step process • Full opening subject to full adoption & implementation of the EU acquis • Market opening linked with the freedom of establishment • Community pre-accession quota of authorisations for the int’l transport of goods by road to be created • Passenger transport: entry into force/adherence to INTERBUS is a first step • Harmonised operational conditions for own account transport (OAT) based on the EU acquis • Road transport industry closely associated in all discussions • Appropriate market indicators must be created International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004
International Conference5 March 2004 The IRU Enlargement Strategy Built around four pillars: • Clear & agreed objectives at industry level • Commitment and support within the political establishment • Dialogue, transparency and common references • Assistance in removing political and technical bottlenecks International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004
International Conference5 March 2004 IRU Achievements within Enlargement • Opportunity for pre-accession market opening lost • Proposals on cabotage partially taken into account • Industry proposals in the field of acquis implementation largely followed (monitoring Progress reports) • IRU enlargement strategy a unique confidence and capacity-building exercise • Associations and operators making good use of IRU initiatives: East-West conferences, technical assistance projects, partnership events for SME road transport operators, handbooks, studies International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004
International Conference5 March 2004 Towards a pan-European market with harmonised conditions for competition and minimum barriers • The EU single market is the only area in which majority of barriers have been pulled down => can serve as a model • International multilateral arrangements such as within the ECMT or the Interbus Agreement, backed by UNECE facilitation instruments, offer better chances to achieve fairer framework and harmonised conditions for competition International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004
International Conference5 March 2004 Road transport must play a leading role • The opportunities are there to obtain the gradual harmonisation of conditions of competition and market integration to create a truly pan-European transport sector • We must not spare our efforts in making a positive contribution towards this goal, working together with our partners from the public and private sectors in the EU & Russia Working Together for a Better Future! International Conference, Moscow 5 March 2004