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Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Alexis Vafeadis participated in the Council of Transport Ministers of the European Union (EU), which took place in Luxembourg.
During the Council's proceedings, a number of issues related to maritime, rail, land and intermodal transport were discussed. In the framework of the Council, the General Approaches for the opening of negotiations with the European Parliament on the Regulation on the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), on the Directive on river information services for inland waterways, and on the Regulation on the use of railway infrastructure capacity were adopted.
Cyprus together with Greece, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Lithuania, Malta, Malta, Portugal, Romania and Spain presented a joint paper on "Call for action to ensure proper monitoring of the extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme to maritime transport". In his intervention, Mr Vafades supported the need for the Commission, in close cooperation with the member states, to take the necessary steps immediately to prevent and address the consequences of the implementation of this legislation for European ports and the competitiveness of European shipping.
In the field of road safety, the Council adopted Conclusions on the European Court of Auditors' Special Report on the achievement of EU road safety objectives. The Minister welcomed the Conclusions, stressing that road safety is a national priority for Cyprus. Furthermore, he called for better coordination between member states and an increase in funding for road safety actions.
The ministers were also informed about progress in the negotiations on the amendment of the directive laying down for certain road vehicles the maximum authorised dimensions and maximum authorised weights and on the amendment of the directive on common rules for certain types of combined transport of goods. Negotiations on these pieces of legislation will be continued by the next Presidency.
In the margins of the Council and in preparation for the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026, Mr Vafades met with his counterparts, Ministers Dariusz Klimczak of Poland and Jacob Heinsen of Denmark, to coordinate the upcoming Trio Presidency (January 2025 - June 2026). During the meeting, the Minister presented the preparations for the Cyprus Presidency, expressing Cyprus' readiness to work closely with Poland and Denmark in shaping the Trio's programme in the fields of land transport, aviation and shipping. In particular for Cyprus, he stressed the priority of connectivity, as well as the development of airports and ports. Nándor Csepreghy, with whom he discussed the priorities of the upcoming Hungarian Presidency (second half of 2024). During the discussion, the Minister presented Cyprus' priorities and aspirations in the transport sector, highlighting Cyprus' important role in the troubled Eastern Mediterranean region. He also underlined that EU funding in the transport sector should be adapted to the needs and priorities of each member state. Volker Wissing and signed the "Berlin Declaration", which calls on Member States to support and promote the production and use of e-fuels.
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