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Poland in the EU

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Video conference of ministers of transport

30.04.2020

EU transport ministers held their second informal videoconference on the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for transport. The meeting focused on possible additional measures and the coordination of the gradual easing of restrictions in the context of the EU’s exit strategy.

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EU27 ministers were joined by their the EFTA countries counterparts as the systems of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are closely linked to that of the EU.

Ministers agreed that the transport sector is one of the most affected areas of the EU economy. In the aviation sector, March this year saw a 90% decrease in traffic compared to the same period last year.

The Polish side presented a number of initiatives at the meeting. The most important of them included proposals in the field of transport support, especially in the aviation sector (modification of the regulation on passenger rights, support for European air navigation agencies and airports operating in the TEN-T core network, through covering part of their operating costs from EU funds), as well as rail and road transport.

In the scope of the latter, the Minister of Infrastructure Andrzej Adamczyk applied for harmonization of the EU approach to the temporary lifting of certain restrictions resulting from currently applicable EU regulations (cabotage, prohibition of receiving regular rest by the driver in the cabin), modification of the provisions of Mobility Package I (currently proceeded in the EP under the 2nd reading) and for the creation of solidarity fund within the EU Funds for Road Transport.

As far as the maritime transport is concerned, Deputy Minister Anna Moskwa from the Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation highlighted the need to increase the use of existing and to develop new financial instruments dedicated to the transport sector, emphasizing particularly important support and financial guarantees for ferry owners due to the reduced demand for their transport services.

Regarding air transport, 12 Member States (BE, BG, CY, CZ, EL, FR, IE, LV, MT, NL, PL, PT) issued a joint statement on the rights of airline passengers in which they called on the European Commission to temporarily amend the 261/2009 regulation on passenger rights. This initiative won the support of other MS during the meeting. The changes should allow airlines to reimburse the passengers who are entitled to a refund for canceled flights due to a coronavirus pandemic with vouchers.

With regard to road transport, Minister Adamczyk instisted for the work on the Mobility Package I to be postponed until the pandemic is over and also called for the updated analysis of the road sector situation to be carried in response to the significant pandemic impact.

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